Criminalizing Opposition To The War On Drugs

From Reason Magazine

The August-September, 1998 issue of Reason Magazine reports that U.N. officials desire a crack down on drug war protesters. Not only does the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, and the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) want to wipe the world free of illicit drugs, they also want to wipe out dissent toward UN policy.

"The INCB's 1997 report calls for criminalizing opposition to the war on drugs. The nations of the world have not followed through on that recommendation yet, but the spirit behind it has helped prevent a genuine international debate about drug policy."

The article went on to explain, "Based on the 1988 U.N. Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, the INCB claims that all nations are obliged to enact laws that prohibit inciting or inducing people 'by any means' to use narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances illicitly." According to the INCB's report, offenders include anyone who 'shows illicit use in a favorable light' or who advocates 'a change in the drug law'."

The Board went on to complain that the parties of the 1988 Convention have not enforced the criminalization of dissent. "Prominent people have issued some very public calls to take drugs and have not been prosecuted," the report states.

Reason magazine concluded that "By trying to silence skeptical voices, drug warriors further weaken their authority and credibility. Perhaps they are sensing that such an approach is counterproductive."