It hurts ties with other countries and stops dealing with why people use drugs. Now, more want change in drug laws. They want new ways to control drugs, with no punishment and more treatment. Portugal did this and it cut drug harm and crime.
The inception of the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act in 1914 marked the onset of federal drug control efforts.This has perpetuated cycles of impoverishment and disenfranchisement, erecting systemic hurdles to education, employment, and social mobility. Critics argue that the War on Drugs has favored disciplinary measures over public health strategies. Instead of tackling the underlying causes of drug addiction, such as poverty, trauma, and lack of healthcare access, the focus has been on punishment and imprisonment. This has resulted in a punitive stance that labels drug users as recurring cycles of addiction and corruption. The War on Drugs has also taken a significant economic toll on society. Billions of dollars are expended annually on law enforcement, prosecution, and detention related to drug offenses. Moreover, the pledged consequences of mass custody, such as lost productivity and strained social services, have further strained public resources. About