Colin Powell blasts U.S. antidrug efforts

On Sunday former Secretary of State Colin Powell defended the Obama administration’s national security policy. A few days before that Powell was a little more critical of the White House.

During an appearance at Mexico’s Universidad de Monterrey Powell said that the U.S. had not done enough to combat the flow of drugs. “We are not doing our homework,” observed Powell while advocating that the U.S. and Mexico work closer to lower the demand for drugs.

Despite the shortcomings of Mexico’s anticrime plans, Powell praised President Felipe Calderon and highlighted the “important challenges” faced by Mexicans. Powell advised that the key to counteracting drug gangs would be via intelligence, not weapons:

“Our first priority in any military or counternarcotics campaign is to have the right intelligence to reach our goals”…

“We should learn who they are, what they are, how they operate, how they move their money, and how they draft young people…We cannot beat the cartels merely by having more powerful weapons than them.” - [ed. Translated text]

Noting the problems with the U.S.-led “war on drugs” Latin American countries such as Argentina have backed major policy changes including limited legalization. Yet in a recent meeting with Mexican officials, U.S. “drug czar” Gil Kerlikowske said that “legalization isn't a subject under discussion under the Obama administration under any circumstances.”

Image- UPI
Online Sources- AFP, The Latin Americanist, CBS News, El Universal, Milenio, AFP, El Infomador

U.S. to end “war on drugs”

Break out the bongs and hidden bags of coca leaves! The “war on drugs” is going to finally become a remnant of the past.

Oh wait…

The Obama administration's new drug czar says he wants to banish the idea that the U.S. is fighting "a war on drugs," a move that would underscore a shift favoring treatment over incarceration in trying to reduce illicit drug use.

In his first interview since being confirmed to head the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske said Wednesday the bellicose analogy was a barrier to dealing with the nation's drug issues.

"Regardless of how you try to explain to people it's a 'war on drugs' or a 'war on a product,' people see a war as a war on them," he said. "We're not at war with people in this country."

In summary, all that well really change is the rhetoric behind counternarcotics efforts. How quaint.

Love him or leave him, I’ll leave the last word to the late comedian Bill Hicks (language NSFW):

bill hicks - the war on drugs
Uploaded by aquarius3 - Sitcom, sketch, and standup comedy videos.

(Hat tip: Wonkette).

Online Sources- Wonkette, Wall Street Journal, Dailymotion

Notable Quotables: A change in the “war on drugs”?

Our nation's demand for drugs often fuels drug production and trafficking, as well as violence and corruption, within other nations. Domestic drug use directly funds the terrible drug-related crime currently wracking Mexico and fuels illegal armed groups in Colombia. Our international drug control programs help strengthen law enforcement and judicial institutions, while providing alternative livelihoods for poor farmers.

While these international supply reduction programs play a vital role in improving security, supporting the rule of law, and denying terrorist and criminal safe havens around the world, the greatest contribution we can make toward stability would be to reduce our demand for illicit drugs. – [ed. emphasis added]

---"Drug Czar" nominee Gil Kerlikowske read from a prepared statement during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday.

As one article noted, the choice of the Seattle Police Chief to head the Office of National Drug Control Policy may signal “part of a broader shift away from long prison sentences for drug offenders and toward an emphasis on prevention and treatment.”

Image- AP
Online Sources- ABC News, U.S. Senate