Where the drug laws are least effective is in stopping addicts, the 3.6 million people, like Downey, estimated to be dependent on drugs. I know I can do time now. Perhaps the greatest failure of the war on drugs is that it does little to protect kids. Over the last five years, teen demand for marijuana has fallen a bit, but that for ecstasy has doubled. Half of teens have tried illicit drugs.
Prohibition actually encourages consumption by children.
The application of reduced criminal penalties to juveniles has encouraged drug gangs to rely on kids. And banning drugs has created a black market, leaving drug sales in the hands of the sort of people who actively market to children. Moreover, there are now 2 million people in federal and state prisons. We are also losing our status as a free people. Corruption bedevils police forces, court systems, the customs service, and even the military.