Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed and What We Can Do About It: A Judicial Indictment of the War on Drugs (Second Edition)

Veteran trial judge and former federal prosecutor Judge James P. Gray believes drug prohibition remains one of our country's biggest failed policies. In this updated edition of his bestseller, Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed and What Can We Do About It, Judge Gray provides startling information about drug-related crimesofrom escalating incarceration rates to drug-related kidnappings. Judge Gray also examines the latest experiments in drug legalization. The thirteen states that have adopted medical marijuana have seen a reduction in crime and an increase in revenue. Judge Gray explains how and why we need to take the profit out of the drug trade. There are viable options at work in other countriesoPortugal saw a drop of 50 percent in drug usage by problem users after decriminalization, as well as a drop in children's drug use! This incendiary book will anger readers, but it also provides hope. We can solve some of our medical and social problemsoby repealing our failed drug laws Veteran Trial Judge And Former Federal Prosecutor Judge James P. Gray Believes Drug Prohibition Remains One Of Our Country's Biggest Failed Policies. In This Updated Edition Of His Bestseller, Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed And What Can We Do About It, Judge Gray Provides Startling Information About Drug-related Crimes--from Escalating Incarceration Rates To Drug-related Kidnappings. Judge Gray Also Examines The Latest Experiments In Drug Legalization. The Thirteen States That Have Adopted Medical Marijuana Have Seen A Reduction Of Crime And An Increase In Revenue. Judge Gray Explains How And Why We Need To Take The Profit Out Of The Drug Trade. There Are Viable Options At Work In Other Countries--portugal Saw A Drop Of 50 Percent In Drug Usage For Problem Users After Decriminalization, As Well As A Drop In Children's Drug Use! This Incendiary Book Will Anger Readers, But It Also Provides Hope. We Can Solve Some Of Our Medical And Social Problems--by Repealing Our Failed Drug Laws.--publisher's Website. Pt. I. Introduction -- Pt. Ii. Our Drug Laws Have Failed -- 1. Past And Present -- A Historical Perspective -- Emergence Of The Prison-industrial Complex -- 2. Increased Harm To Communities -- Communities Awash In Illicit Drugs -- Violence And Corruption -- Domestic -- Foreign -- 3. Erosion Of Protections Of The Bill Of Rights: Where's Paul Revere? -- 4. Increased Harm To Drug Users -- Demonization -- Deterioration Of Health -- 5. Increased Harm For The Future -- Conspiracy Theories -- Government Policy: Don't Discuss It! -- Pt. Iii. Options -- 6. Increased Zero Tolerance -- 7. Education -- 8. Drug Treatment -- Rehabilitation -- Medicalization -- Needle-exchange Programs -- Drug-substitution Programs -- Drug Maintenance Programs -- 9. Deprofitization Of Drugs -- Legalization -- Decriminalization -- Regulated Distribution -- 10. Federalism, Not Federalization -- Pt. Iv. What We Can Do About It -- Appendix A. Resolution -- Appendix B. Government Commission Reports And Other Public Inquiries. James P. Gray. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Our drug prohibition policy is hopeless, just as Prohibition, our alcohol prohibition policy, was before it. Today there are more drugs in our communities and at lower prices and higher strengths than ever before. We have built large numbers of prisons, but they are overflowing with non-violent drug offenders. The huge profits made from drug sales are corrupting people and institutions here and abroad. And far from being protected by our drug prohibition policy, our children are being recruited by it to a lifestyle of drug use and drug selling. Judge Gray’s book drives a stake through the heart of the War on Drugs. After documenting the wide-ranging harms caused by this failed policy, Judge Gray also gives us hope. We have viable options. The author evaluates these options, ranging from education and drug treatment to different strategies for taking the profit out of drug-dealing. Many officials will not say publicly what they acknowledge privately about the failure of the War on Drugs. Politicians especially are afraid of not appearing "tough on drugs." But Judge Gray’s conclusions as a veteran trial judge and former federal prosecutor are reinforced by the testimonies of more than forty other judges nationwide. Contents 8 Preface to the Second Edition 10 Part I: Introduction 18 Part II: Our Drug Laws Have Failed 34 1. Past and Present 36 2. Increased Harm to Communities 66 3. Erosion of Protections of the Bill of Rights: Where’s Paul Revere? 120 4. Increased Harm to Drug Users 148 5. Increased Harm for the Future 164 Part III: Options 176 6. Increased Zero Tolerance 180 7. Education 194 8. Drug Treatment 210 9. Deprofitization of Drugs 238 10. Federalism, Not Federalization 260 Part IV: What We Can Do About It 264 Appendix A: Resolution 280 Appendix B: Government Commission Reports and Other Public Inquiries 282 Index 296