By Sting / Huffington Post / March 31, 2010
Whether it’s music, activism or daily life, the one ideal to which I have always aspired is constant challenge — taking risks, stepping out of my comfort zone, exploring new ideas.
I am writing because I believe the United States must do precisely that — and so, therefore, must all of us — in the case of what has been the most unsuccessful, unjust yet untouchable issue in politics: the War on Drugs.
The War on Drugs has failed — but it’s worse than that. It is actively harming our society. Violent crime is thriving in the shadows to which the drug trade has been consigned. People who genuinely need help can’t get it. Neither can people who need medical marijuana to treat terrible diseases. We are spending billions, filling up our prisons with non-violent offenders and sacrificing our liberties.
For too long, the War on Drugs has been a sacrosanct undertaking that was virtually immune from criticism in the public realm. Politicians dared not disagree for fear of being stigmatized as “soft on crime.” Any activist who spoke up was dismissed as a fringe element.
But recently, I discovered just how much that’s changing–and that’s how I came to speak out on behalf of an extraordinary organization called the Drug Policy Alliance.
For the remainder of this article, go here.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Just like the fake war on terror the fake war on drugs is about money. Huge profit for those on top. Some are called drug lords but most of the worlds people who stay rich on illegal drug revenue are unknown to the average person. I suggest you Google the name Henry J. Anslinger as a starting point in a study of the American drug problem. Just remember that making something illegal is the best way to increase the profit margin.
And contrary to popular myth, we actually do need the stems and seeds. Here’s something I copied elsewhere:
Hemp produces the most biomass of any crop, which is why it is the natural choice for an energy crop. Hemp converts the sun’s energy into cellulose faster than any other plant, through photosynthesis. Hemp can produce 10 tons of biomass per acre every four months. Enough energy could be produced on 6% of the land in the U.S. to provide enough energy for our entire country (cars, heat homes, electricity, industry) — and we use 25% of the world’s energy.
To put which in perspective, right now we pay farmers not to grow on 6% (around 90 million acres) of the farming land, while another 500 million acres of marginal farmland lies fallow. This land could be used to grow hemp as an energy crop.
Why would anyone care what some has been that isn’t even from this country has to say on any policy of the USA. Can we get Alan Thicke’s opinion on this while we are at?
Whether or not Sting is from here, he has an audience here, so he has the opportunity to raise people’s awareness. And it seems like a good cause. So go Sting.
BTW, Sting was one of the all-time best celebrity guests on The Simpsons. Remember the Timmy O’Toole episode, where Bart gets stuck in a well?
Marge: Sting, you look tired. Maybe you should take a rest.
Sting: Not while one of my fans needs me.
Marge: Actually, I don’t know if I’ve ever heard Bart play one of your albums.
Homer: [to just Marge] Shhh! Marge, he’s a good digger!
Krusty: I called my good friend Sting. He said, “Krusty, when do you need me?” I said, “Thursday.” He said, “I’m busy Thursday.” I said, “What about Friday?” He said, “Friday’s worse than Thursday.” Then he said, “How about Saturday?” I said, “Fine.” True story.
Sometimes it takes the perspective of an outsider’s view for one to stop themselves as they barrel down a road of madness, unable to see their path the way others do.
As well you must be completely detached from the facts on this issue for not realizing our war on drugs has the US stamping all over dozens of countries worldwide, violating their sovereignty, harming the lives of their citizens, raising the levels of chaos in their countries to allegedly protect ours.
I remember a federal drug policy official suggesting that a wave in violence and seizures across the Mexican border which had the effect of doubling the street price of meth in the US, meant that our policy was success even though hundreds had recently been killed. Unbelievable arrogance.
I might add I read that on the blog for the National Office of Drug Policy and wrote a comment to sort of point that out, and predicting a firm moderation hand, wrote it in a language which almost suggested I was in full agreement with their insanity but merely had a few details wrong. Of course the comment was deleted.
Oh, and besides, Sting is a rock musician but with heavy roots and influence in Jazz and Reggae. Saying he isn’t qualified to comment in THIS topic really flies against all convention.