Tim Worstall

The War on Drugs.

It’s unusual to see the numbers laid out so concisely:

· The UK’s estimated annual supply of heroin and cocaine is worth £4bn.

· There are 749 deaths annually from heroin and methadone use.

· Seizure rates of 60%-80% are needed to have a serious impact on the flow of drugs into Britain, but 20% has been achieved.

·
Annual cost of crimes committed by drug users to support cocaine and
heroin habits has reached £16bn a year, £24bn if health and social
services costs are included.

4 billion of drugs cause 16 billion in crime. Yup, the illegality is the problem. Even leaving aside the fact that that very illegality boosts the 4 billion figure. Legalise the damn stuff.

In

4 responses

  1. Remittance Man Avatar
    Remittance Man

    Actually, the government has it in its power to destroy the drugs trade within a couple of years. The first step is to legalise all drugs. Then once the pushers are neatly drawn into the world of legitimate business, nationalise everything.
    Since the purchase and use of drugs would be legal the state could pursue a “socially correct” policy of providing cheap drugs (and thus ensuring no private competitors tried to get back into the market). As with British Leyland, British Coal and all the other nationalised industries it wouldn’t take more than a few years for the once profitable drugs trade to be in ruins.
    Just a silly thought for Monday afternoon.
    RM

    Reply
  2. embutler Avatar
    embutler

    sceptical of the 200 crimes committed per kilo.. do they include the crime of selling the stuff or is that additional crime in robbing other citizens..inquiring minds want to know

    Reply
  3. ivan Avatar
    ivan

    Another useless and ineffective war that causes more misery than is solves. And the politicians never told us that. They lied about it. And they got away with thanks to our lazy press. Sounds familiar no?

    Reply
  4. dave heasman Avatar
    dave heasman

    Odd isn’t it, that the UK has an independent nuclear deterrent, but can’t have a drug policy that’s independent of the US? Even though the Mafia isn’t really in charge of the UK’s drug supply.
    Tim adds: I think it’s actually a UN treaty or agreement that says no one can legalise.

    Reply

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