A Message from the Drug
Enforcement Administration
 In many circles, U.S. drug policy is under attack. It is
being criticized
primarily by those who favor a legalization agenda. It is also being
challenged by those who encourage certain trends in European drug policy,
like decriminalization of drug use, “harm reduction” programs,
and
distinctions between hard and soft drugs.
Proponents
of legalization are spending huge amounts of money to
encourage a greater tolerance for drug use. A number of states have
passed referendums to permit their residents to use drugs for a variety
of
reasons. The citizens who vote in these referendums too often have
to rely
on the information—or rather, misinformation—being presented
by the
sponsors of these expensive campaigns to legalize drugs.
This
booklet, Speaking Out Against Drug Legalization, is designed to cut
through the fog of
misinformation with hard facts. The ten factual assertions, taken
together, present an accurate
picture of America’s experience with drug use, the current state
of the drug problem, and what might
happen if America chooses to adopt a more permissive policy on drug
abuse.
Drug
abuse, and this nation’s response to it, is one of the most
important and potentially dangerous
issues facing American citizens—and especially its youth—today.
The unique freedoms of America
have always depended on a well-informed citizenry. We hope you
will use the facts you read in this
booklet to help inform your friends and neighbors so that America
can make a wise and well-considered
decision on the future of its drug policy.
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