Opinions - Ad: Funding terrorism unintended consequence of prohibition?

[Heretic.Ape.]

"The illegal drug trade is the financial engine that fuels many terrorist organizations around the world, including Osama bin Laden."

House Speaker Dennis Hastert1

• The United Nations reports an illegal drug trade worth $400 Billion a year2 -- $100 Billion more than our Department of Defense budget.
• Drug trade is big business: Illegal Drugs are 8% of all international trade while Textiles are 7.5% and Motor Vehicles are 5.3%3

We do not purport a direct link with the tragedies of 9/11. But as part of the battle to defeat terrorism and strengthen our society, ask yourself:

• Is the funding of terrorism another unintended consequence of drug prohibition?
• Could a regulated and controlled model for soft drugs similar to our approach with alcohol and for hard drugs similar to prescription drugs stop the flow of illegal drug profits?
• In so many ways, does the War on Drugs cause far more harm than good, both here and abroad?

Common Sense for Drug Policy
Mike Gray, Chair -- Robert Field, Co-Chair
1377-C Spencer Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603
717-299-0600
www.csdp.org -- www.DrugWarFacts.org
info@csdp.org

Sources:

2. Associated Press, "Hastert Forms Task Force on Drugs," September 21, 2001.
3. United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention, "Economic and Social Consequences of Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking" (New York, NY: UN Drug Control Program, 1998), p. 3
4. United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention, "Economic and Social Consequences of Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking" (New York, NY: UN Drug Control Program, 1998), p. 3