New issue of The Nation magazine say “Dare to End the War on Drugs”
I just learned that the new December 27, 2010 issue of The Nation is focused on the modern realities and dynamics of the drug war. The introduction from the editors to the issue, which is available now at this link, is headlined “Rebalancing Drug Policy,” while the cover uses the D.A.R.E logo to urge our nation to “Dare to End the War on Drugs.” Here is how the editors’ introduction sets up what follows in a single paragraph:
Nearly forty years after President Nixon declared a “war on drugs,” it is painfully clear that the nation’s approach to drug policy is counterproductive and cruel. Shifting our priorities toward a more sensible approach — one that offers treatment rather than punishment for addicts, and that recognizes the deep injustice of mass incarceration — seems like a daunting task. But as the writers in this forum suggest, we have all the answers and resources we need. If ever there was a time to say enough is enough, it’s now. — The Editors
There appears to be a whole lot that sentencing fans should find worth checking out in this special issue of The Nation, including these pieces:
- “Obama’s Drug War” by Michelle Alexander
- “Beyond the Fair Sentencing Act” by Marc Mauer
- “The Verdict on Drug Courts” by Tracy Velázquez
- “Breaking the Taboo” by Ethan Nadelmann
- “Decriminalizing Poverty” by Bruce Western
- “Budding Prospects: Youth Activists Push Marijuana Reform” by Aaron Houston
- “Altered State: California’s Pot Economy” by Sasha Abramsky
- “Questions for the Drug Czar” by Sasha Abramsky
- “Restoring Lost Liberties” by David Cole
- “A New Model for Mexico” by Laura Carlsen
I have not provided a link to the last two articles because they are listed as for “Subscribers Only” and because you can find them via the links to all the free pieces if you are a subscriber.
I am looking forward to consuming all aspects of this special issue of The Nation, which I will likely make a special effort to purchase in hard copy when I see it on the newsstands. I have, however, already printed out the pieces on marijuana politics and practices because they provide an important window into some of the most important recent dynamics in the long-running drug war debate.