HEALTH-ORIENTED DRUG ABUSE POLICIES

WHEREAS, We recognize that illegal drugs are dangerous substances whose use we do not condone, but that current policies viewing the use of these drugs as primarily a criminal problem do not adequately address the underlying causes of illegal drugs use, and

WHEREAS, The United States has spent billions of dollars waging a war on drugs during the past 25 years yet the situation has continually worsened, and

WHEREAS, The vast amount of crime associated with the use and abuse of illegal drugs is a primary reason why our cities are unsafe, our criminal justice system is overloaded, and our jails and prisons are overcrowded,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The American Ethical Union calls for the opening of a nationa1 dialogue on alternative methods of addressing the drug problem focussing on health and sociological in addition to criminal aspects, and for increased funding for drug abuse prevention, treatment, and education programs.

Adopted by the American Ethical Union Assembly at the New York Society, New York, NY, 1989

Source: AEU 81st Annual Assembly - Resolutions Memo [job23scan]

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