Ethan Nadelmann: Why we need to end the War on Drugs

Is the War on Drugs doing more harm than good? In a bold talk, drug policy reformist Ethan Nadelmann makes an impassioned plea to end the "backward, heartless, disastrous" movement to stamp out the drug trade. He gives two big reasons we should focus on intelligent regulation instead.
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[@judynguyen8463]

“There is no war on drugs because you cannot have a war against inanimate objects. There is only war on drug addicts. Which means we are warring on the most abused and vulnerable segments of the population.” - Dr Gabor Maté

[@michaelstanko5896]

That's a great quote. Have you read his book? It's a good read.

[@zacboyles1396]

Wow man that's a really powerful quote. I've thought about it in similar terms but that quote makes me think about it even further.

[@leveljoe]

When the war on drugs started with Nixon, it spent 2/3 of the budget on rehabilitation. The war was against those who sold and transported those harmful substances, so the quote is an answer to the wrong question.

[@charlessegundo4497]

Its a War on True Democracy! Its the fashion in which Republicans sustain Thier State Capitalist Empire,or if You prefer,State Communism through a totalitarian Central Government under Thier control and rule!!!

[@leveljoe]

@@charlessegundo4497 if that's the case, why did it get to Trump to do prison reform? Trump is also considering the pardon of all nonviolent drug offenders. Biden and Harris have done and will continue the status quo. Wake up!

[@hipporage18]

I know someone that died from an overdose and the reason he died was that the people he was with were strangers and nobody wanted to call for help nor knew what to do. They all left. This is what happens in a system like the one we have. Highly preventable deaths can be avoided with proper medical attention. If drugs could be regulated and provided at establishments where people know what to do in case of emergencies we could save more lives.

[@RiverLewis]

good one, maybe a heroin chuck e cheese or something, brilliant, kudos, genius.

[@jakewaugh2059]

@river lewis no, we don't have a liqour chuck e cheese now, ​do we? We don't have a tobacco chuck e cheese do we? Both of those kill thousands and are legal, why shouldn't all drugs be legalized and regulated?

[@mikau69]

It does not matter where they got the drugs, it does not matter if they are regulated and provided at establishments, because they will take them home, a friend's home or some abandoned place to party. The reason nobody wanted to call for help was likely because they feared police investigation. Some people, good people, probably would take the risk and call for help.

[@based_mediumchungus1788]

@@RiverLewis No, just sell it the same way we sell alcohol and nicotine products. regulated, must show ID.

[@based_mediumchungus1788]

@@mikau69 In canada they have the good samaritan drug overdose act. if someone is overdosing and you call 911 you won't get charged for personal posession amounts.

[@OpenMind3000]

Yes! Legalize all drugs, god dammit!

[@Shaunt1]

lol.

[@IshimaruOwO]

I agree! We should do what portugal did and decriminalize all drugs and treat addiction as a health problem.

[@Shaunt1]

Ishimaru OwO That's something, but even better: complete legalization. And if addiction is a health problem then what do you do with those addicticed to money, control, and power?

[@IshimaruOwO]

Shaunt1 same thing you would do with someone addicted to drugs, Send them to the hospital and set them straight

[@Shaunt1]

Ishimaru OwO That would include most people I would think. But especially the richest and most powerful.

[@Blurns]

I didn't know Ray Romano had such strong opinions about drugs.

[@MrDavidBFoster]

Probably likes his Ganja, just like _most_ people nowadays.

[@kamilareeder943]

Nah like its a very pressing issue today. Like don't let anyone tell it's just about liking weed. Like we as society need to talk about this and make peace with drugs. Keep learning about it! It effects is all very strongly if indirectly

[@roro-mm7cc]

@@MrDavidBFoster actually its more than that he also probably doesn't like millions of completely preventable deaths each year.

[@neighborhoodgoblinman]

LMAOOO I THOUGHT THAT VOICE SOUNDED FAMILIAR

[@serpensphile]

Darn you to heck! Now I can't un-hear it!!!!!

[@kanejacob]

The saddest part is there is not one single non-ridiculous refute to any of the points raised. The war on drugs must end. MUST END.

[@Cybernaut551]

Agreed.

[@lediableblanc9399]

Now more than ever this comment is relevant. The cure for cerveza sickness is illegal. We need to give Mexico their country back from the cartels

[@based_mediumchungus1788]

@@lediableblanc9399 Just legalize fentanyl for recreational use already. safe dose of fentanyl is 25 mcg a lethal one is 700.

[@declanlee6894]

Just commenting because this is fact and it’s sad how little people are talking about it

[@BlackSailPass_GuitarCovers]

I'm so glad that alcohol addiction and death are no longer a problem since we legalised it. You barely see it pushed at all now, in shops, billboards and in the media. And when was the last time you heard of an alcohol addict? It's factory-produced now, made safely with no impurities and that's much better. Problem solved.

[@pmyou2]

A simple question for any parent who is OPPOSED to drugs: Would you prefer to have you child sent to jail or given drug treatment?

[@daveybernard1056]

California went to Drug Diversion instead of jail for drug offenders. Now, our career drug criminals laugh at the revolving door of the "Justice System", and are constantly let out of jail so they can continue victimizing the rest of the community. So, we got that going for us. Which is nice.

[@king_leoxx1028]

they would just say they prefer their kids not having access to drugs at all which ofc would be an ignorant thing to say on their part.

[@lif3andthings763]

Davey Bernard Who said this extends to dealers?

[@charlessegundo4497]

Drug Treatment!

[@charlessegundo4497]

@@daveybernard1056 Howdy Dave, I lived in San Luis Obispo a few years ago,I met Someone Who's Son was caught with an apparently good sized amount of methamphetamine, The Guy was in Prison for over a year before he was released. Yes je restarted Using. Do You honestly believe a longer sentence work have changed the out come? After meeting Him,I can assure You that even if He had been down for 5 years or even longer,He would not have changed. What's the solution then,if Prisons don't bring about reformation of character? Users are going to use. This is the thing that Society has to fig out hiw to deal with. We already have more People in Prisons than any other Nation,and this hasn't stopped or changed anything except tje price amd profitability of Drug sales!

[@thyduck7542]

I have solid proof that the drug war has never worked. Let me quote someone I heard, "I don't know anyone over 21 to buy alcohol, lets go buy some pot" That's all the proof I need.

[@MarcoBoneMan]

Excellent talk. It's so fantastic to finally see logic prevailing in this utter insanity.

[@aaronkonstantine2794]

👍

[@corebass420]

The War on Drugs is a failure. We need to stop blaming inanimate objects for the actions of people. People need to be held accountable for their actions, not their possessions. Make all drugs legal, taxed and regulated like the drug alcohol, offer mental help to addicts and put *far* harsher penalties on crimes against people and property. *Stop locking people who haven't harmed anyone physically or monetarily in cages.*

[@pneulancer]

+corebass420 Thank you for a cogent comment; couldn't agree more!

[@bikramsingh8683]

+corebass420 on what?

[@SarahVision]

+corebass420 I see people CONSTANTLY saying exactly what really should be done, to other people that can't actually do anything about it. www.house.gov/representatives/find/

[@earthwizz]

I couldn't agree more. However whether the war on drugs has been a failure or a success depends on who started it and why. The evidence is pretty clear, it was instigated by the wealthy and influential for the same reason they've always done it; to make a shedload of money. The second largest industry in the world tax free, apart from an estimated less than 2% seizure rate. 80% of prison populations are drug related and those populations are rising. In fact the USA currently imprisons a higher percentage of its population than any country ever in prisons increasingly owned by the wealthy and influential. They also provide the massively increased armaments used in the drug wars. For them, the drug wars are hugely successful and the most immoral part of their money grubbing is the criminalisation of non-criminals. What people put in their bodies is their business and, providing they don't harm others, is in no way criminal. It's about time we denied prohibitionists the moral high ground. They have none.

[@pneulancer]

Robin Harrison I've never allowed the anti-drug crowd the "High Ground", vis-a-vis morality or ethics. Just the opposite is true. The war on drugs is counter-productive, destroys otherwise law-abiding citizens and ultimately will fail. It is wrong by any metric one chooses to employ and needs to end!

[@sabatheus]

This is the best Ted talk ever recorded. A close second would be James Kunsler's "How Bad Architecture Wrecked Cities". Let's (U.S.) stop being the nation with the most amount of its citizenry in prison. It doesn't reflect positively. Aren't we supposed to be setting the example for the rest of the world?

[@MrDavidBFoster]

I'm not sure it's about following our example so much as they're afraid we'll nuke them for not going along.

[@tanepukenga1421]

***** Or threatening every other country you trade with like they did to New Zealand when they wouldn't allow nuclear warships or submarines into their waters.

[@DanJanucik]

+Sabatheus May you give a list of your favorites?

[@MarkHidden]

It's been 24 years, since I learned that the drug war was not a partisan issue, it's an educational issue. It would be nice, if laws could be repealed based on their negative effects. I a mean we expect a drug company to prove it will do no harm, why don't we hold laws and policies to the same standard? Good talk. Keep up the good work.

[@patrickford9615]

I agree. We need evidence-based legislation. Evidence-based government. Any industry that works, independent of legislation (read lobbyists), is evidence-based. Gov't seems to be fear-based. And based on protecting outdated business models... but that is another thead...

[@MrDavidBFoster]

Patrick Ford _"Gov't seems to be fear-based. And based on protecting outdated business models... but that is another thread..."_ .. No, I don't think it is. We throw our weight around and the rest of the world falls in line. Has ever since we dropped the bomb on Hiroshima. This global drug war is just one of many things we've managed to inflict on the rest of civilization in the days since. We're _good_ at terrorism. That's why the only thing Ethan said in his entire speech that I disagree with was: _"This otherwise great nation"_. But I'm sure he would have been afraid to say anything else.

[@msimon6808]

@@patrickford9615 Here is the evidence you were looking for. Pass it on. Drugs fill receptors. Pain empties receptors. PTSD empties receptors. Filling empty receptors makes you feel good. Empty receptors create a desire for drugs. Drugs can not create a desire for drugs. - M. Simon

[@msimon6808]

Here is the education you were looking for. Pass it on and end the war. Drugs fill receptors. Pain empties receptors. PTSD empties receptors. Filling empty receptors makes you feel good. Empty receptors create a desire for drugs. Drugs can not create a desire for drugs. - M. Simon

[@MarkHidden]

@@msimon6808 seriously how is that relevant?

[@susansimpson72]

*This should have a billion reviews & the DEA forced to watch*

[@msimon6808]

Better yet. Tell the public the truth about drugs. Don't wait for the DEA to catch on. Drugs fill receptors. Pain empties receptors. PTSD empties receptors. Filling empty receptors makes you feel good. Empty receptors create a desire for drugs. Drugs can not create a desire for drugs. - M. Simon Get back to me and I'll give you a link. Or just pass this on.

[@NathanRoberts984]

A powerful talk that just makes so much sense! Love it! "We need to turn our backs on the failed prohibitions of the past and embrace new drug policies grounded in science, compassion, health and human rights."

[@aiden3373]

Fear and ignorance, that's it, it really is as simple as that. The opposition to ending the war on drugs have zero direct experience, and not enough research to compare cases see the nuances of this complex situation. Our problem is that the opposition have the most power and the illusion of "moral" high ground, for now

[@feygan]

Good egg guy with lots of sense to say, however I noticed one glaring issue. At the beginning he was talking about how the USA used to be the giant stick waver around the globe with regards to drugs, but now that is Russia and the USA is now starting to move to lead the advancement of education and reform. While this paints the USA in a better light it neglects a simple fact. The USA is now leading the world in a new war and it is that of one on privacy and civil rights of the digital age, look at how many people are being made into master criminals by the USA over issues of copyright monopoly. It is a new war that is a replacement for the drug war, why bother to try to get all this cash from drug cartels and such when you can just grab it from your own citizens instead. I love what he is doing and his message on drug, but he should not loose sight of the fact that the USA still has a political elite who want control. He may achieve his goals on drug reform but will just end up having to be an activist in other human rights areas.

[@patrickford9615]

Yes. The same enlightenment (evidence, not fear) could be used in the war on terror and it's convoluted result of spying on everyone in the world.

[@Shaunt1]

We can't let them get away with it.

[@pneulancer]

+feygan All that is true. In addition, the DEA is now waging a war against legal drugs that are prescribed by physicians. They want to decide what a Medical Doctor should give a patient. This is beyond any rational discourse and the fact that this is happening is an indictment of the citizens of the U.S. If an M.D. is persuaded into not giving medication to a legitimate patient for fear of the government's actions, we are in a truly sorry state. Sadly, that's were we are.

[@TheBushdoctor68]

But...but... you can't just stop having wars... America needs its wars!

[@berthayellowfinch1744]

Shut down dope, prosecute with an automatic Death Penalty. Our families are being targeted, our children are being killed by dope.

[@embracethesuck117]

It seems pretty weird to me that I came across this post, when I just replied to another one you sent to me earlier on another video.. You just seem real bitter about something, after watching this video, though.. you must realize the ridiculousness of something like an automatic death penalty for drugs.

[@berthayellowfinch1744]

Gosh Josh Oberly, Did ya get the message???? It doesn't look like it. And please don't tell me you are hiding out on BLM land with your other dope pals.

[@embracethesuck117]

Bertha Yellowfinch the message I got was legalization equals regulation. I live in a state that legalized marijuana, tons of money came of it, money for great things. When drugs are legalized, it will shut down the street dealer's and upper echelon organizations​ that profit and create the needles violence. People also won't have to die because of adulterated substances or unknown purity.. Prohibition does not work, it has never worked.. it is a massive waste of money, time and more importantly, human life. Lives are ruined due to the deaths caused by black market activity and they are also ruined because of prison time that is beyond ridiculous, especially for non violent crimes related to drugs.. I know I won't change your mind, but I don't understand how people can have the mindset you have on this issue.

[@berthayellowfinch1744]

Your non addicted friends and family will be the first notice you have something bad going on in your brain. It WILL happen if it hasn't already.

[@iborn4music]

Fantastic speech. We need to spread the word, talk about this openly and candidly amongst your family, friends, co-workers, and peers. The biggest thing holding back this movement is the lack of momentum on our part. We all need to become activists in order to enact true policy change.

[@christiansmith4159]

4 years later doing the same thing we’ve done for 100 yrs. now it’s so much worse than ever before

[@plecto1234]

An important point to make about addiction. No drug is in of itself addictive, there are in 100% of the cases an underlying psychological cause of an addiction, usually some form of childhood emotional neglect or abuse. The view that people who get addicted are 'stupid' or 'immoral' is so fundamentally wrong and truly hurtful for our society. The people who are predisposed to becoming addicts do not only become easily addicted to illicit drugs, but also legal drugs like alcohol, tobacco and even food which can have much bigger long term consequences than illicit drugs. Simply saying "don't do drugs or I'll punish you" to these people is just so counter productive, it's like permanently having a bowl of candy on the table while telling your child that you will spank him if he eats it, it's just not going to work.

[@jakewaugh2059]

Well said my friend

[@belliotrungy9107]

Addiction is a slippery idea as with recursive psychotherapy. Addiction is part of life from food water and air just some feedback loops are easier to break than others. When habitual behavior feels like a burden to someone it's usually due to changing homeostasis more than mystical inner children. Some pain might be present but as with smoking anybody could find it difficult to quit hence the huge marketplace given the rise in anhedonia for almost all users.

[@katperson1955]

Also, most people who become addicts are self medicating for depression or other problems. To treat addiction as the sole problem is very short sighted and minimizes the effectiveness of treatment.

[@packr72]

Disband the DEA

[@pneulancer]

+packr72 I couldn't agree more!

[@berthayellowfinch1744]

Shut down the DEA? Nope. Strengthen the DEA and ramp up the laws that are supposed to be protecting our families and our children from dealers/cartels/facilitators and their deadly dope. We demand the death penalty and all Police given "shoot on sight" orders when it comes to that human garbage.

[@earthwizz]

Bertha Yellowfinch+ Clearly you are not a christian.

[@derp8575]

just plain_name Can we start with those dealing alcohol and cigarettes?

[@mikeuhlir2161]

just plain_name you are truly blessed with ignorance

[@roidroid]

I'm glad he had that Q&A session at the end. He asked exactly what i wanted to ask _(ie: Politics is gridlocked, so how likely is it that anything will change)_.

[@TheCherry1994]

Why are there (almost) never German subtitles on TED videos ._. I'd like to show this to some people who aren't proficient in English.

[@pneulancer]

+TheCherry1994 Da die meisten dieser Diskussionen sind für Englisch sprechende Mitarbeiter. Ich bin damit einverstanden, es wäre toll, wenn sie für andere Nationalitäten vorgenommen wurden.

[@lindagibson797]

This is the best TED talk that I've ever watched. I'm still waiting for a good TED talk relating to industrial hemp. Henry Ford wanted to make car panels using hemp fibers. Today we have fiberglass but just think of the things that could be made from an inexpensive, lightweight yet strong hemp fiberboard.

[@monapowers8889]

A very powerful and thought provoking talk! Well done!!

[@awdasko]

great talk. keep them coming :D

[@Knightmessenger]

125 people work for the DEA or prison guard unions.

[@0wickedgemini0]

Well played Good Sir !!!!! loved it!!!!

[@shoshana2107]

excellent argument...well done!

[@martinseelig585]

War never had and never will have a positive impact!

[@MrDavidBFoster]

Lintassimilator And that answer made sense because..... ?

[@MrDavidBFoster]

Lintassimilator Well, I can't disagree that were it not for war technologies that we'd still be back in the stone age. That assumption just wasn't immediately apparent from your comment, so I thought I'd ask.

[@swarm69]

***** because crisis precipitate change... no world wars no rapid advancements in technology ..no modern computing

[@MrDavidBFoster]

***** Already covered. But thanks anyway.

[@MichaelSzemethy]

Legalize all plants worldwide. Plant studies is crucial to human improvement. Work WITH what we have not AGAINST

[@AyeTVsco]

not sure if I've seen a standing ovation for a ted talk- well deserved

[@GeordiLaForgery]

Good stuff, keep up the good work Ethan.

[@jordi9844]

i'm from holland and i say just join us^^ find the middle way

[@softlk8810]

I enjoyed listening to Bill Burr so much during this Ted Talk!!

[@protohass]

He really cleaned up his act during this lecture too

[@jasonkarimi8284]

Edgy. Hey you ever seen chopped off heads by Mexico cartels put on display? Thats real funny too

[@rafaelmodestia9799]

Ted, me and some friends want to translate this talks to Portuguese (Brazil) and bring that learning to our people. Is there any way some one contact me about that? Can i get you permission to do that?? Thanks a lot for you work.

[@FuerstenbergE]

Great message

[@ViperMD]

Amazing presentation!

[@closerchief6287]

Wow. Amazing.

[@ethanwimsett]

Great stuff, summed up nicely

[@christopherkleinbach5237]

Thank you.

[@SWEmanque]

The war on drugs have created one of the most deadly drugs in the world: Spice.

[@melle12able]

I want to work for this guy!

[@minecraftisboss100]

If I may, I am a 14 year old male who lives in a suburban neighborhood in the Capitol of California. and the more I watch, the more I learn and the more I expirience drugs, the more I realize that they shouldn't be government regulated. who's to tell me what substances I can or cannot ingest, and I realize the government doesn't understand enough to even be allowed to ban theses drugs, they know that an assult rifle looks more dangerous than a hunting rifle of the same calibre, so, they ban it, they know that dmt, lsd, and psilocybin, make you think out of your body, enjoy life and connect to the gods, which if I may add is what I believe our purpose on earth is. nothing but a spiritual learning expirience, but the government bans the substances anyway, well as of now the government stays "unbiased" toward religion, but if you ask me, they promote an atheist society, seeing as NOONE is allowed to meet the gods and correct their wrongs, but rather to stay on earth and live a repetitive meaningless life. Makes alot of sense doesn't it, real fair isn't it. -Thank You.

[@timurburlaka]

one of the best public speaker i have seen

[@edsmith2035]

Perfect!

[@avedic]

GREAT talk

[@geoffmackley]

Great talk Ethan, but as a new Zealander you were wrong in saying any of the drugs we currently choose to wage war on, including marijuana, are legal or decriminalized, currently we are still in the dark ages with this issue, 30 years ago NZ was the first place in the world to set up a needle exchange, we ve done nothing since to stop the war on people, who just happen to use drugs.

[@MichaelPateras]

This is important.

[@LarsAndersenFrihed]

Great talk!

[@silversifter6223]

Very, very good video.

[@19LostInYourEyes80]

Such a great person!

[@NappyPappy4life]

i think at 7:15 there shouldve been a "BOOM" or something along those lines

[@TheEss3nce]

Is there a way of getting any references for this talk?

[@I77AGIC]

great video. the war on drugs is failing and doing so much more harm than good. but fortunately there has been a steady trend of people realizing this!

[@dannyoosthuizen2168]

You are so my hero!

[@grantshortridge3540]

AMAZING

[@shawnellemartineaux6212]

I absolutely impressed by this talk.

[@nelsonfernandez7164]

Damn he's good explaining

[@ladushky1]

I'll dedicate my time and energy to educate everyone how much one can learn from psychoactive drugs.

[@lorivertcobo8720]

ladushky scholoniepher I’ve done them all, including DMT and Peyote. They’ve benefited me mentally and in many ways positively in the way I look at my life. Psychedelics and all drugs have benefited me in ways I can’t write in a KZbin comment.

[@supremeprime660]

Ik someone that died that way too its so sad its failed..

[@padmanabhmayekar9199]

MADE ME CRY

[@josecortez1268]

In Portugal nobody goes to jail if have drugs, he said. Well, only small quantities is not a problem. If you cary big quantities, in that case you go to jail. Don't go if is the first time. p.s. sorry my English

[@vaninef]

The principle is that you can't be arrested for your addiction and therefore, if you're carrying a large quantity it is definitely not just for your own addiction. Large quantities mean trafficking. I have been stopped by police many times and they always had a kind word for me as telling me to look for treatment but I was never taken any of the drugs I was carrying because they were obviously for my own consumption.

[@chikara13]

Its about time. But it was worth the wait.

[@Rabidwulfe]

Good presentation, its about time more ppl rethink what they understand about the Drug War.

[@jrestrepo08]

Love this guy.

[@kezapril1971]

Brilliant!

[@Himani_inamiH]

totally thought he was Sir Patrick Stewart in the video image

[@Hashslingingslasher-]

Put it this way, If people want drugs they WILL find a way to get them. Black market dealers don't care who they sell to, healthy unhealthy, old or young, if you take the power from the black market and put it in the hands of chosen professionals with regulations to follow suddenly most issues revolving around drugs become non-issues.

[@jondigene2233]

Best TED ever!

[@MichaelSzemethy]

Wow. This man should be a political leader. He just pointed out some of the top economies worldwide. I hypothesis that this man knows what's best for the main concerns in our main lands. This is one smart man who should be calling some major shots and helping our world make these changes. Wow. Standing ovation.

[@transgendernationadmin-hum4977]

Legalize and regulate. It's the only way.

[@aaronkonstantine2794]

💯

[@FeralAkamaru]

I have almost the exact same viewpoint on drugs as this guy.

[@brokkoliomg6103]

Man why does this talk only has 200k views?

[@deathwishchrisreilly5194]

LOVE you Ethan

[@SeraphimGoose]

Iboga is a powerful psychedelic plant from West Africa that is used traditionally there, and is also used very successfully in addiction therapy in some places where it is legal for that purpose. In 2000, after the international community learned of it and pushed to make it illegal in many countries, the country of Gabon, where iboga is used traditionally, declared it a national treasure in response. Win.

[@UncleEsco]

Need me sum of dat

[@dianajanna7228]

HOW CAN I GET IN CONTACT WITH THIS MAN?!!! I NEED TO INTERVIEW HIM :)

[@rowanmorrison843]

Your best bet is probably twitter - twitter.com/ethannadelmann or here - www.drugpolicy.org/staff-and-board/staff/ethan-nadelmann-executive-director

[@igorrafael3382]

perfeito

[@stevenherrold5955]

he's right i remember when i was a little kid about 1960 hearing about the government war on drugs and where has it got us ? this is an old video today's date is 07/01/2020

[@APR4U]

YES!

[@o-t-m5195]

Took some time to notice his mustache.

[@user-vr3ly3zt6d]

重點在認知導入的正確性,利用科學,讓人們知道輕重,利用潮流讓人效法學習,玩過的都知道,成癮性是沒玩的人在講的,煙才是最難戒,卻又全世界合法的,抽煙除了提神外,就是........讓人覺得帥?讓男性覺得成熟,讓女性覺得妖豔有自我,這些都是電影`社會導入的錯誤觀念,要如何導正,不是叫一些陽光熟男`有公信力的人,去拍片要你禁止`停止抽煙,而是要如何造成一股潮流,讓人們覺得,我不抽煙就是帥`就是爽`超級偉大!!!但成效有限,所以誰能開發出一種有益小害的毒品,取代現有傷身的毒品??這會是最好的解決方案!!!

[@anetmcclintock4945]

Ethan is an informed individual. And I agree with him. Clearly what we are doing now is not working, so we may as well try a new approach that stands a better chance at forming a war free society.

[@lalasargsyan5252]

Ethan Nadelmann, the speaker, talks about how the War on Drugs has affected society worldwide. He draws attention to several detrimental effects, including the worldwide black market, violence, overcrowding in jails, and the military's and police's engagement in an unwinnable conflict. Nadelmann highlights that the United States has played a significant role in propelling the worldwide war on drugs by prioritizing criminalization over health in international drug treaties. He contends that the United States realpolitik objectives are at play in the War on Drugs in addition to drug-related concerns. But he also stresses that the United States is "crazy" about drugs, drawing comparisons to the past ban on alcohol. Nadelmann highlights some encouraging advancements, pointing out a rising push in the US to reverse the Drug War. He talks about how marijuana laws have changed, with many states now allowing it for both medical and recreational use. To lessen crime, bloodshed, corruption, and illegal markets, he makes the case for legitimately regulating and pricing narcotics. The speaker looks back on his own path, which began with a moral and religious upbringing and culminated in his activism to stop the War on Drugs. He emphasizes the necessity of an intellectual and enlightened approach to drug policy based on human rights, health, compassion, and research. Towards the end of the speech, Nadelmann admits the difficulties in coming up with the best answer and expresses conflicting feelings regarding legalization while arguing for a change in direction towards laws grounded in human rights and science. To put a stop to the failed War on Drugs, he calls for a reform movement that cuts across political and ideological boundaries.

[@sylabisylibi587]

Something that only hurts you, shouldn't have you fearful that someone else is out to get you for it.

[@dEcIbElEvEl]

I agree with Mr. Nadelmann, with one major exception... drug use should be decriminalized, not legalized. Decriminalizing drugs and regulating their standards sure, but the taxation aspect should be left out. The estimated total federal tax monies projected for the 2015 fiscal year are at $3.3 trillion ( www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/45010-Outlook2014_Feb.pdf ) read that again, $3.3 trillion. Too much money is being misspent every single year by people we elect to serve our best interests, whom so clearly are not, and some people want to trust them with even more money/power? No. Stop being afraid. Stop putting these same bought and paid for politicians in office. The War on Drugs needs to be ended, along with our needless fears of not being in control of things that cannot be.

[@kurtiscoleman9359]

Notice how ted talks put up a disclaimer lol

[@jonathanrainey6285]

i wanna make legal aswel but just cant see it happening

[@MrGlensummers]

Valid points brought fourth in a well constructed way. My only question to argue a lot of what Ethan Nadelmann says is; What about prescription medication? Don't get me wrong, but is USA not the highest inducer of doctor prescribed medication, which at times, do more permanent physical and mental damage? Can this not say that legalising or decriminalising does not stop people from abusing substances?

[@hungh0]

"and clearly alcohol is the most dangerous of the two" yeap, in terms of active effect only one of those can make you 'black out' but continue to perform actions completely out of your conscious control [spoiler: its alcohol], whilst the other leaves you relatively if not completely lucid no matter how much you take. Alcohol is effectively a distilled weak poison that in the event of over-consumption can be fatal and the other is nearly impossible to overdose on since your system processes it too fast. Alcohol increases tendencies for violence, the other does the opposite In truth and in terms of active effect & short/long term side effects alcohol should be illegal and pot legal, any arguments regarding side effects of the act of ingestion (ie smoking) is null considering edibles & alternative methods inc. vaporizing Things like schizophrenia or mental disorders would only occur if the person is pre-disposed to the disorder anyway & would probly be the same as alcohol tl;dr if they truly wanted to protect the general populus and win a war on drugs they should've started with only illegalising distribution. Its like hiring thousands of informants but arresting them once they report back. basically, you dont protect the general population by making an enemy out of them

[@Purrpussful]

I'm in my 50's and have both mental and physical disorders whose effects would be significantly mitigated by the use of marijuana, which I used recreationally mostly in my late teens and early 20's. I could get certified to legally grow, consume, and even sell medical marijuana, but the community in which I live has shut down multiple dispensaries and demanded dispensary records (then turned them over to federal law enforcement to facilitate arrests under federal law) and growers are regularly arrested, too. Consequently, I'm rather afraid to exercise my rights under state law for fear of facing fines and/or prison. Ethan made many excellent points, and though one of my two older brothers was hooked on speedballs (heroin + methamphetamine) from the age of 16 until he (miraculously!!) reached the age of 65 (at which time he took a long, hard look at his life, with scores of friends and acquaintances dead from overdoses, irreparably broken relationships with his child and siblings, and lack of any accomplishments beyond surviving and avoiding incarceration, and moved to a small town where no one but a distant cousin knew him, kicked his addiction, and settled down to live as a quiet retiree), I, too, agree with every point he made. Thank you for your cogent comment. :-)

[@recnepsyarg]

No we have to legalize them all we can’t pick and choose. Educate and regulate. And I hate alcohol, but that’s irrelevant.

[@katperson1955]

If you include long term (direct) affects on the body, how it effects family (incl. domestic abuse), alcohol is the worst drug by far. A long term alcohol addict cannot even quit “cold turkey” as it can kill them as it did Amy Winehouse.

[@joshuagharis9017]

How does one get involved stopping this ridiculous drug war in the US? IM a recovering addict and I believe this is one of the biggest aversive substratum in our society.

[@firewithfire2745]

Subscribe to the Drug Policy Alliance.

[@SonnyJacobLee]

This guys sounds like Raymond Ramano lol

[@StormyMusic9]

My country Singapore, has a strict policy against drugs. The problem America has is that the current war on drugs is an ineffective one. The Customs are ineffective in blocking the smuggling of drugs, the Police Force is ineffective in cracking down on drug usage. Perhaps it could be the culture, whereby drug usage is tolerated and society does not immediately inform the police whenever drug users are spotted. Or perhaps is the sheer size of the United States and the vast stretch of border with Mexico. While I believe that cutting supply is definitely possible and within reach, the likelihood of it happening is very low. First, the culture of America emphasises freedom. Some citizens would balk at the idea of greater policing. Secondly, the large amount of finances required to run the strict border controls and tight drug policy is difficult, if not impossible, for the government to fund. Not only has bipartisan politics caused one government shutdown in 2013, the role America plays amidst crucial global issues such as the threat of ISIS diverts much attention away from the war on drugs While some countries critisize Singapore for its use of capital punishment, it serves as an effective deterrent against drug smuggling. Ethan mentioned that the US has 5% of the world popn, but 25% of incarcerated popn. Singapore does not have a similar problem (i. e lack of prison space). Drug smugglers are given the death sentence (exceeding a certain amount of drugs), and thus combined with high airport security, strict customs and an effective CNB, supply is effectively cut off. Demand is not neglected either. Anti-drug campaigns have widespread throughout the education system from Primary to Secondary. Grassroots and NGOs constantly remind us the dangers of drug usage and seek to help reform drug addicts, thereby enabling a two-pronged approach in tackling the problem. Ethan believes that legalisation and intelligent regulation should be the next step in drug policy in the United States. While I may not agree with him, it is apparent that the current situation has much room for improvement. There are some benefits for legalisation, as he has mentioned, but without the necessary government support in anti-drug campaigns and demand-side measures, the wave of legalisation might cause a sharp rise in the number of drug addicts, which might lead to a number of social problems. Another downside of legalisation is that the "black market" will not be removed. Considering that the black market for drugs already exists in the US, simply legalising a drug would not cause the black market to dissappear. Sure, some dealers would choose to sell legally, but then they might face high taxes, as the high marginal external costs of these drugs means high taxes. Overall, I think its a legitimate suggestion, but one should tread carefully on this path. For now, the world needs the US as China is not ready to take over the mantle of leadership. Therefore, if a domestic policy wreaks havoc within the fabric of American society, the influence of the hegemony would only deteriorate further. Drugs are powerful agents. I hope that America would be able to mitigate this problem in the near future. Good luck, and carpe diem!

[@snoopy_peanuts_77]

Drugs have been and always will be part of human existence..... you can choose to accept it and control the negative effects through education and health services but the instant you try to "crackdown" you will create a black market which will lead to more harm than good

[@dbrlivetest6440]

/standing ovation

[@clintgirard677]

Truth

[@jamessheehy4895]

Different countries insurance laws make it complicated too I'm from uk, booze wears off almost completely, weed in system for ages, heavy industry, manual, driving, service industry would be screwed would have to daily test employees and end up sacking more people who probably used it illegally under the radar

[@Edwinryanmailme]

To be HONEST, this message is better written than SPOKEN...

[@josephwright5140]

God i wanna join in

[@sheezy5812]

Certain leaders know the power of the human mind and how psychoactive substances can enhance its innate ability. They want to keep the public dumbed down so it doesn’t threaten their positions which they’ve held onto for generations.

[@Ranchcreekrecovery]

While it may be too soon to say whether drug legalization is the right thing to do, there's on thing for sure: if it can be ensured that drugs cause the least possible harm, we should find out what it is. Oh, and also, there should be more effort put into the health and recovery aspect of drug use rather than the penal aspect of it; help the users instead of punishing them.

[@sertorrhenclegane]

I say legalize drugs cause I am just sick of hearing people whine about the War on Drugs.

[@derp8575]

Ser Torrhen Clegane Treating non-violent consumers as criminals tends to upset people. So we will continue to "whine" until more liberty is restored.

[@billyday6594]

Ser Torrhen Clegane Good enough for me.