Lowy Institute ArchiveThe global war on drugs
When Nixon launched the War on Drugs in 1971, it was intended primarily as a political strategy rather than as a public policy. While it has failed as a public policy, the War on Drugs has often succeeded as a political strategy. However, significant health, social or economic benefits are hard to identify. There have been no reductions in deaths, diseases, crime or corruption. Global drug production and consumption is increasing while retail price is decreasing and purity is increasing. At the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy on 15 July, Dr Alex Wodak addressed these problems.
