US military deploying forces to southern Caribbean against drug groups is the current order of business, and it’s hard not to raise an eyebrow. The official word is a deployment of air and naval forces to address threats from Latin American drug cartels. The question that immediately springs to mind is, why now? What’s the specific threat that warrants such a move?
This kind of action often brings a feeling of déjà vu, especially given the history of the “war on drugs.” It’s a conflict we’ve been fighting for decades, with debatable success. Could this be just another iteration of the same old strategies, or is there something more at play?… Continue reading
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Manila on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for crimes against humanity related to his deadly anti-drug campaign. His daughter reported that he was forcibly taken onto a plane to The Hague, Netherlands, where the ICC is located. The warrant, confirmed by the ICC, charges Duterte with murder as a crime against humanity for actions allegedly committed between 2011 and 2019. Duterte’s arrest, following the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC, sparked both outrage from supporters and celebrations from victims’ families.
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During a televised cabinet meeting, Colombian President Gustavo Petro controversially equated cocaine’s harm to that of whiskey, arguing its illegality stems from its Latin American production, not inherent dangers. He proposed cocaine legalization as a means to dismantle drug cartels and redirect funds towards preventative measures against substance abuse. This stance contrasts sharply with Colombia’s longstanding anti-drug partnership with the United States, and further highlights existing disagreements regarding drug policy approaches. Petro also criticized the U.S. response to the fentanyl crisis, blaming American pharmaceutical companies.
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A new Global Commission on Drug Policy report advocates for the decriminalization of drug use and possession in the U.S. and Canada, citing the failure of the “War on Drugs.” The report, authored by numerous former world leaders, recommends harm reduction strategies like expanding access to opioid agonist therapy and safer supply models to curb overdose deaths. Instead of prohibition, the report emphasizes health, human rights, and social equity as the guiding principles for effective drug policy, arguing that current punitive measures have led to increased violence and disproportionately impacted marginalized communities. The report highlights the ineffectiveness of prohibition, noting that drug use continues to rise despite substantial global spending on enforcement.
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UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk declared the global war on drugs a complete failure, citing its inability to reduce drug use or related crime. He advocates for a human rights-centered approach prioritizing health and well-being over punishment, urging the inclusion of drug users’ perspectives in policymaking. This shift necessitates evidence-based strategies, replacing punitive measures with harm reduction and public health initiatives. The Commissioner emphasizes the need for a transformative approach, as highlighted in the International Guidelines on Human Rights and Drug Policy, to address the devastating impact of the current system.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker