The War On Gangs
Yes. The War On Gangs is over in the US.
The murder rate in the USA has been declining since 1991. We know that a real war on drug gangs (Mexico) causes an increase in dug violence. Even the FBI agrees with that point (a real drug war increases violence).
So in reality drugs have been de facto decriminalized. Now why do I say THAT? Good question. I have a train of logic which I hope hasn't jumped the tracks.
We no longer have a war on gangs. We have a war on some gang members. Destabilizing gangs is bad for public order.
And of course the arrests for drug crimes are up. How else are you going to cover for such a massive shift in policy?
I was a witness to one of the whole gang raids of the 80s (around 1988 IIRC). The big kahuna was a next door neighbor of mine. A really nice guy. We never had gang problems in the neighborhood until the DEA took him out. Any way. The FBI predicted a rise in the murder rate in our town due to taking the gang out.
Let us just say that the spike in murders was not well received.
My guess is that the DEA decided: a war on gangs or continuation of the gravy train.
Ending the war on gangs of course ends the war on drugs as a real enterprise. You need organized crime to organize transnational shipments of illegal commodities. Not to mention making a market between people who would rather not know each other: growers and buyers - for commodities that are locally grown.
So there you have it. The drug war is no longer about reducing the supplies of drugs or taking down the gangs that move them. It is now just a jobs program for government employees and preventing the worst violations of public order.
Inspired by a post at the Volokh Conspiracy
Cross Posted at Classical Values
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2 comments:
A question to set your record straight: Are you a recreational drug user? You talk endlessly about legalizing drugs and how productive heroin addicts in the Netherlands are, etc, etc, so I'm just wondering -- has your own personal drug use enhanced your productivity, creativity, etc?
Hello, found you on VC. I agree for the most part with your posting. My father worked on the anti-gang task force when that was still a focus during the end of Bush-1, during my schooling I remember "don't join gangs" became "don't do drugs". I do disagree about the role of illegal drug dealers if marijuana became legalized. I think there's a distinct difference between those who wish to capitalize on the black market verses those who truly invest as entrepreneurs. I think it's mostly a difference in investment capital: a high quality grow room costs at least $50,000 in lights, ventilation, filters, hydroponic/soil systems, and nutritions. The majority of the illegal market is poor quality "closet weed" grown in a room for about $500 dollars. Most dealers would go out of business, not being able to compete in an open market with people who have more invested.
To answer 99%'s question. I use marijuana illegally for medication. I'm a Veteran with what I could describe as "anger issues", it's not anything like PTSD, but sometimes I really want to hurt people who cross me. Marijuana keeps me calm, rational, and happy, while also extending my creative artistic mind. Marijuana makes me a more productive member of society.
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