Latin America considers legalization of drugs

This essay is part of an occasional feature on this blog that presents compelling stories from elsewhere in the world, particularly Africa, that are little reported in the American media. It's part of my campaign to get people to realize there is a lot going on in the world outside the US, IsraelStine and the Trumped Up Enemy of the Month. A list of all pieces in this series can be found found here.

The always worth reading Alma Guilermoprieto has an excellent piece in The New York Review of Books on the increasing resistance in Latin America toward the American driven so-called "War on Drugs." It notes that the gargantuan sums spent on drug interdiction has not only resulted in a huge amount of carnage in the region but has also had precious little effect on the global supply of drugs. If anything, the drugs trafficking industry is expanding... particularly into failed/weak states in Africa like Guinea-Bissau.

Assumptions vs facts in the drugs debate

The BBC has a report on Portugal, a country which decriminalized drug use and possession eight years ago.

Despite predictions that it would skyrocket, drug use has actually DECREASED by 10 percent since the changes. Drug deaths are down too.