FROM THE EDITOR

When it comes to the War on Drugs, the rules of typical political debate go
up in smoke. The question of how much freedom individuals should be granted
over what they drink, smoke, snort, or shoot up is one of America's most
complex policy debates. Despite its persistence as a hot-button issue, the
drug dispute has failed to work its way into mainstream political discourse.

When America's War on Drugs does receive attention, both in the media and
from politicians, it is most often presented in simplistic dichotomies or
broad generalizations. The political process would grind to a halt if other
policy debates were given the same treatment. Imagine working for tax reform
if every critic of the IRS was viewed either as a proponent of abolishing
taxes or an anti-government revolutionary. Basic discussion of the successes
and failures of the status quo has been met with staunch opposition more
suited to Cold War confrontations than social policy debates. By polarizing
the topic, the heart of the matter is ignored.

This issue of the Harvard Political Review aims to give the War on Drugs the
critical examination taken for granted with other political debates. To
start, Nate Lalone considers the evolution of the War on Drugs to trace the
various strategies and judge their relative successes. John Couriel recasts
the debate over race and drugs in terms of accountability and opportunity.
In American politics, Caitlin Talmadge tries to crack the political silence
surrounding the drug debate, and Jonathan Gruber questions whether there is
a double standard for intellectuals and politicians when it comes to
personal drug use. Catherine Burnham tunes in to the new generation of
anti-drug television messages. Alex Rubalcava assesses the rising tide of
mandatory sentencing laws. Beyond America's borders, Ari Waldman reveals
America's drug entanglement in the Colombian civil war while Jason Sauer
chronicles the war of words between the U.S. and the Netherlands over drug
policy. Finally, John Paul Rollert takes a look back to Prohibition in light
of the current debate.

Together, these articles reflect the diverse nature of the drug-policy
challenges facing the American people. The War on Drugs has become a
third-rail issue for politicians because this complexity is ignored. When
all criticism of the status quo is considered a full endorsement of
legalization, no constructive discourse is possible. However, considering
the individual effects of drug policy on the criminal justice system,
foreign policy, race relations, and economic inequality creates room for
progress. The question of drug policy becomes one of importance to all
Americans, not just the fringe groups, by recognizing the extent of its
policy influence. Broadening the debate doesn't guarantee a better solution,
but it offers an alternative path. For an issue as contentious and long
standing as the War on Drugs, now is not the time to shy away from new
options for change.

Index for the Harvard Political Review's series:

"Smoke and Mirrors - America's Drug War"

The Thirty Years' War - (Part 1 of a 10 part series)
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1084/a03.html

Editorial: From The Editor - (Part 2 of a 10 part series)
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1084/a02.html

The Experts Speak Out - (Part 3 of a 10 part series)
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1084/a05.html

Keep It Real - (Part 4 of a 10 part series)
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1084/a04.html

The Colombian Conundrum - (Part 5 of a 10 part series)
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1084/a06.html

Demystifying the Dutch - (Part 6 of a 10 part series)
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1085/a03.html

Paralyzed by Politics - (Part 7 of a 10 part series)
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1085/a01.html

An Unfortunate Hypocrisy - (Part 8 of a 10 part series)
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1085/a02.html

Throwing Away the Key - (Part 9 of a 10 part series)
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1085/a04.html

Beyond Good and Evil - (Part 10 of a 10 part series)
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1085/a05.html