Dear Abby:
My father is a businessman who travels.
Each time he returns from one of his trips,
his shoes and trousers
are covered with blood—

but he never forgets to bring me a nice present;
Should I say something?
Signed, America.

--Tony Hoagland, "Hard Rain"

Unless you count yourself among those who own stock in or are employed by the companies that federal, state, and local governments pay to fight the War on Drugs, -- in places such as Afghanistan -- you're a loser in that war.

"The war on drugs is really a war on people -- on anyone who uses or grows or makes or sells a forbidden drug."

--Ethan A. Nadelman, Drug Policy Alliance

What has the rest of America lost, aside from the tens of billions spent at all levels of government to fight the Drug War?

• Our right to privacy and against unreasonable searches and seizures by law enforcement agencies.
  
  
• Our right to deposit more than $1,000 in a bank without being scrutinized to see if we're laundering money from illegal drug sales.
  
  
• Our right to use certain beneficial, but banned or controlled, substances.
  
  
• Our right to confidential medical advice. As an attorney, I don't recommend medical or substance abuse treatment to any of my clients with a drug problem because I can't be sure that the treatment provider won't put my client at risk of criminal prosecution and draconian punishment by notifying law enforcement agents. But if you or a loved one are suffering from drug abuse or addiction -- and are willing to risk criminal prosecution -- here's a list of treatment and rehabilitation service providers.

This is just a partial list of the rights that we Americans have lost as a result of the War on Drugs, because there are many more.

It's a fact of life that highly-functioning citizens use illegal drugs without becoming abusers or addicts.

[T]he black-and-white, all-or-nothing thinking that has long dominated discussions of illegal drug use should give way to a wiser, subtler approach with deep roots in Western culture. That approach, exemplified by the tradition of moderate drinking, rejects the idea that there is something
inherently wrong with using chemicals to alter one's mood or mind. Instead it emphasizes the context in which drug use occurs: how, why, when, and where intoxicants are consumed. These factors determine how likely drug use is to cause harm, the crucial consideration in making moral judgments about it.

--Jacob Sullum, Saying Yes

But as the aforementioned list of what we collaterally damaged Americans have lost shows, you don't need to be a drug user to oppose the Drug War.

There are many organizations in addition to the Libertarian Party that champion your cognitive liberty and personal dignity. Here's a good list of some of those organizations.

Despite significant setbacks to our individual liberties caused by the War on Drugs (PDF file), I believe the tide is turning.

For example, more and more judges are speaking out against the drug war.

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition has produced a 12-minute video featuring commentary by law enforcement officers explaining why the drug war has failed and who support alternative approaches to treating drug abuse and addiction. You can view the video by clicking on the image below.

Pass it on.

In the meantime, state and local Libertarian candidates across Utah who favor drug
policy reform need your support and your vote between now and Election Day on November 7th.

Yours in liberty,

Rob Latham, Chairman

Libertarian Party of Utah