The War on Drugs

The Manhattan Libertarian Party calls for a truce in the insane War on Drugs. It has proven to be a disaster for the community and a failure in tackling the distribution and use of drugs. Drug usage will continue whether it is legal or not. The issue is how it is viewed by the community and treated by the law and by government. The current "Drug War" causes far more problems than it solves, and the heavy price we have all paid through the loss of our liberties and freedoms is a direct violation of the constitution.

The government's failed drug war has now ruined tens of thousands of lives in New York City. Over the past decade, marijuana arrests alone have skyrocketed from about 600 each year to over 60,000 in 2000. Many of those arrested are our city's youth, who as a result may be shut out of financial aid for college and denied employment opportunities, in addition to facing stiff fines, probation and even incarceration. We are harming their future for no foreseeable gain. Not to mention the enormous waste of our already stretched police and court resources. Instead of focusing on treatment for people who may have serious drug problems, our political leaders cynically emphasize prosecution and persecution of our fellow citizens, who by using drugs are in most cases hurting no one but themselves.