We need to Ramp up the Drug War???
Hello???

Um, Mr President, Sir! Hate to bother you again but it's me, you know that chick from the internet, one of the ones you laughed at. But now, I read, we are going to ramp up "intelligence gathering" based on a strategy prepared by, and to be led by, the agency that gave us the "this is your brain on drugs", the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

First I would respectfully like to point out that this “strategy” is coming from a what the GAO found was highly politicized ineffective and devisive agency, which could not even come up with an effective media campaign to deter drug use, with up to 40 billion dollars at its disposal annually. Nor has the ONDCP been able to stem the tide of violence thus far to date... the violence that stems not from drugs themselves, but from the prohibition of the drugs which allow the cartels and the drug lords and organized crime and even terrorist to use the profits of illicit substances to fund their own armies from the profits that the sale of illicit substances can bring.

How can you just disregard that the ONCDP has been repeatedly caught in more fibs, irregular practices, and used more rhetoric than a real estate infomercial, and that its practices and campaigns literally cloud the issues rather than resolve them. And even if one were to discount the science and studies that show the damages that the drug war has caused to our society, the usage and incarceration rates among our population, could easily stand alone as witness to the abysmal failure domestically of their policies. This is also the agency which the GAO was “ particularly concerned that the relationship between ONDCP and Congress has deteriorated over the last seven years, resulting in an “us-versus-them” environment in which neither party’s interests are served well.” And it is glaringly obvious that neither was the interest of the American People served.

I cannot help but flash back to the hope I felt when you said in your inauguration speech:

“…. the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works -- whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account -- to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -- because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.”

If you really meant that, then why are we clinging to this Drug War? Is this a policy which is beneficial to the American people? Been held accountable, put food on the table? Made life better for us? With the results they have garnered so far, I think the answer is a resounding no.

Why aren’t you looking at the report on Portugal’s drug policies which have by all marks been proven effective, or independent studies both historical and recent which point you to the way. Why are you listening to when it is spelled out that the way to end the prohibition violence is to end prohibition.

The last thing we need is to Ramp up the Drug War.

Or to listen to anything the ONDCP has to say about the subject.