A Radley Balko article on FoxNews presents an interesting list of suggestions for lessening the damages of the failed War on Drugs (which, as Balko points out, has not changed the drug use rate, has filled the jails while doing nothing to affect the dropping price of illegal drugs, and has had no effect on the annual number of overdose deaths, which has tripled).

As Balko concedes, full-scale legalization is not going to happen any time soon. Thus, he calls for a tightening of the reigns on paramilitary police forces like SWAT teams, whose tactics are being implemented far past their intended use. Balko’s basic point is that routine police proceedings such be just that–not military exercises.

Of Balko’s suggestions (which can be viewed in their entirety via the link above), the one that makes the most sense involves changing asset forfeiture policies. Apparently (I didn’t know this), police departments are able to sell off property seized from drug SUSPECTS (keeping much of the revenue for themselves), leaving the ones who are acquitted, or even not charged, with no choice but to sue in court. Man, what a shadily un-American set-up.

Thanks to the US Marijuana Party for the link to Balko’s article. For Balko’s own blog, click here.

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