Human rights: The hidden cost of the war on drugs

By Alex Gangitano

The lack of drug control has spurred black market violence and human rights abuses across the world, British researchers found today.

The London School of Economics (LSE) produced a report finding the UN-governed international drug control system has failed and human rights abuses are facilitated in pursuit of failed policies.

“The time has come to think outside the box,” said president Santos of Colombia, who endorsed the report.

Researchers condemned supporters of the current international drugs policy for creating human rights problems, such as long incarceration for minor drug offences and a lack of treatment for addicts.

They recommended UN drug bodies improve oversight of funding and monitoring of basic human rights compliance and urged a systemic root-and-branch review of goals of the operation.