According to the National Research’s Council’s 464 page report, reported on by the Washington Post, April 30, 2014, (link here), the cost of the “war on drugs” in the United States — for families, communities, state budgets and society — has simply not been worth the benefit in deterrence and crime reduction.
A “No Trespassing” sign is displayed on fencing surrounding the Marine Technology Training Center, part of the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) of the California Institution for Men state prison in Chino. (Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg)