mrclay.org

The following is a collection of ideas and recommendations for bringing about effective reforms against the harmful effects of drug prohibition.

1. We must compile the best arguments for prohibition (including alcohol) including common rational (and irrational) fears of its repeal; to effectively debate the issue we must know and understand the thoughts of others completely. E.g.
2. I believe the ego-centric libertarian view that drug use is a personal liberty that we demand—while agreable—is harmful to our cause. Many have valid concerns that drug use, in general, leads to the infringement of others’ rights of safety and, more importantly, the suffering of users.
3. Again, we must see the issue in the eyes of our skeptics and concentrate efforts on proving that the end of prohibition will reduce the suffering due to “hard” drugs, reduce the access of children, and improve the safety of the public.
4. We must compile the best arguments made for the end of the Prohibition at the time, and the backgrounds of the individuals and groups that made them; we need to show that our ancestors realized the futility and harm of prohibition and draw the conclusion that, if a drug like cannabis had been as socially acceptable then as it is now, it would have also ended up taxed, regulated, the cause of less social harm.
5. We must illustrate clearly and simply how market principles create the black market and how they can quickly deflate it by flooding supply. Reformers get this, but it needs to be visually demonstrated so that anyone could understand it. Animated diagrams, effective analogies, etc. Perhaps it’s wise to seek the expertise of educators.
6. We must show how prohibition affects the citizens and law enforcement efforts in other countries.
7. We need to show how the black market prices and barriers to treatment lead addicts toward crimes such as prostitution and theft.
8. We must show and loudly warn that not all reform efforts would be effective at eliminating the black market or reducing overall suffering. We must not allow, e.g., predicted failures of compromised reforms such as “decriminalization” to be painted as unsupportive of our arguments. We should ensure that goals are included in legislation that consider levels of violence, incarceration, and general harm to the public, not just drug usage levels; this is to avoid the spin of reforms as failures if usage should increase; it’s likely that reported usage would increase since reporting carries less risk for users.
9. We must provide vivid depictions of the outcomes of various reform measures. These must be thorough, realistic and consider common fears. Analogies could be drawn to the results of the 21st Amendment.
10. We need depictions that contrast the effects of laws on children experimenting with drugs and also show alternate outcomes, had prominent users (artists, politicians, etc.) been criminalized for their experimentation.
11. Reform cannot be achieved by proposing to end careers, especially in these economic times. Our enemies are harmful laws—not people—and the repeal of those laws are opportunities to improve the safety and well-being of many workers.
    1. Reforms should propose transitioning detention workers into treatment and prevention work, to provide more rewarding (and less psychologically damaging) careers.
    2. Law enforcement budgets should be maintained, but infused with new goals; there is plenty of crime to fight. We need to show that the end of unenforceable laws will increase the goodwill and trust between law enforcement and the public, and make the officer’s job far safer and effective. Perhaps there are examples of this occurring in other fields.
    3. We should reach out to unions and similar organizations to educate and develop ideas like the above.
12. We must not dillute or sabotage our efforts by opposing the rights of parents to protect their children from drugs. We must show that the end of prohibitions will not result in the proliferation of drug pushers nor increased access to drugs.
13. A proper documentary on the end of Prohibition (or if one exists its promotion) is sorely needed. We’re now several generations removed from it; history education is essential.
14. I would predict that Michael Moore-style productions, or those that half endorse drug culture will only put off the exact people we need to educate.
15. We have a wealth of scientific, historic and media evidence to support our arguments, so we should not rely on distortions or any evidence that could be disputed.

The list is ordered only for reference purposes.