USA 1971, President Nixon declared a war on drugs, the UK followed into battle. Now half a century later we might pause to wonder who’s winning? There are unexpected effects of this war. Profits enrich criminals.
The iron law of prohibition means the harder the enforcement, the harder the drugs, the harder the outcomes. Britain has the highest prison numbers in Western Europe. The drug problems remain.
After 50 years other places are trying different approaches. A reassessment of the Misuse of Drugs Act could prioritise reducing drug harms.
This Public Meeting will examine the history of the war and future tactics.