The Avaaz-Petition for the end of the War on Drugs reached 500,000 supporters and goes for 750,000 now. The petition will be handed over to world leaders in New York on the 2nd of June. Until then there is still time to sign, if you haven’t done so until now.
The petition page
The message that will be delivered reads:
“We call on you to end the war on drugs and the prohibition regime, and move towards a system based on decriminalisation, regulation, public health and education. This 50 year old policy has failed, fuels violent organised crime, devastates lives and is costing billions. It is time for a humane and effective approach.”
The War on Drugs in Mexico alone has cost more than 36,000 lifes and is not a regional problem, but one of the worldwide handling of drugs. You can find unedited – and therefore very graphical (WARNING: really graphical) – and updated information about the Mexican War on Drugs on Blog del Narco, which was also covered by Al Jazeera in April.
If you wish to act and support this notion in the described way, this would be a good time to do so with a strong voice and supporters from all around the world. Simply go to Avaaz.org, sign the petition (it’s really easy) and tell your contacts.
For some background you might consider reading these links, that Avaaz also submitted:
Reports that show the war on drugs has failed:
http://idpc.net/publications/failure-regime-selected-publications
Reports that show alternative approaches of decriminalisation and regulation are working:
http://idpc.net/publications/alternative-strategies-selected-publications
General report on drug law reform in practice:
http://www.tni.org/report/legislative-innovation-drug-policy
The Global Comission on Drug Policy that will call on the UN to end the war on drugs
http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/Documents.aspx
Drug War by the Numbers
http://www.drugpolicy.org/facts/drug-war-numbers
Final Report of the Latin American Comission on Drugs and Democracy
http://www.drogasedemocracia.org/English/Destaques.asp?IdRegistro=8
