Defeat in the Drug War.(Scope)(decriminalization of drugs)

Byline: Adam B. Kushner

Not so long ago the only people who called for decriminalizing drugs were extremists on the left and right who distrusted the state. Now heads of state are making the call, led by those on the front line of the failing war on drugs. Five former presidents of Colombia, Brazil and Mexico (including incumbent Felipe Calderon) have called for some decriminalization. In the U.S., President Obama (who once called the war on drugs an "utter failure") halted raids on medical marijuana dispensaries in California, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed taxing pot to close the deficit. Last week, Obama's new drug czar said the "war on drugs" is outdated.

THE IDEA: The drug war stigmatizes users of drugs that aren't truly bad (pot), costs billions, and doesn't stanch supply or demand. Decriminalization could sideline violent traffickers and free up money for prevention and addiction-treatment. (Outright legalization violates a treaty the U.S. helped write; decriminalization would make drug possession a misdemeanor or a civil offense resulting in a fine, rather than a felony.)

THE EVIDENCE: Spending to control the foreign drug supply--up more than 100 percent in the U.S. budget since 2001--is not working: Colombians dedicated 15 percent more land to coca than in ...