Revisiting the War on Drugs

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A customs official stands guard at the port of entry along the US-Mexico border in Calexico, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Hour 1

It’s been 40 years since President Nixon declared a war on drugs.  Now, four decades later, two reports conclude that the war has been a failure.  The Global Commission on Drug Policy, which is made up of former heads of state, a former secretary general of the United Nations, and business and cultural leaders, says that the war on drugs has had “devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world.”  A group of former law enforcement officials have also released a report criticizing the Obama administration for continuing to follow the ineffective drug policies of the past.  Today, where do we stand in the drug war?  And what have we learned and lost in the 40 year battle?  Our guests are THOMAS McLELLAN, former deputy drug czar for the Obama administration and the Director of the Penn Center for Substance Abuse Solutions and NORMAN STAMPER, former Seattle police chief and member of LEAP, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.

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[audio: 062011_100630.mp3]

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