Prison Overcrowding? Let’s Start With Decriminalizing Drugs

When we ban substances, we do not eliminate them; we simply empower those who profit from the illegal trade in these substances.

~ Mark Mcewan

As we face the reality of overcrowded prisonsan opportunity arises to rethink our entire approach to incarceration, but especially the role that drug policy plays. The old paradigms have perpetuated injustice and suffering for far too long.

Let us be unequivocal: no human being should be imprisoned for non-violent drug offenses. Keeping people behind bars for actions that do not harm others is a fundamental violation of justice and compassion. It is time to recognize that the ‘war on drugs’ has failed. Punishing people for their choices has only deepened the cycle of poverty, addiction and despair. Drugs are not a criminal problem; they are a public health issue that deserves a compassionate, evidence-based response.

Recent history has taught us that prohibition never works; it merely displaces the problem, allowing organized crime to flourish and corruption to weave its way into the fabric of society. Far from eradicating alcohol consumption, prohibition in America created a criminal empire and left a deep, indelible mark on the political landscape, embodied by powerful political entities like New York’s Tammany Hall.

Today we are witnessing the breakdown of social order in places like Mexico, where drug cartels control over vast areasand political figures are often co-opted through intimidation and bribery. Similarly, during the Western occupation of Afghanistan, drug lords infiltrated the political arena, exerting unchecked influence, sowing instability, and further perpetuating the cycle of violence and corruption.

These cases show that we do not eliminate substances when we ban them. We only give more power to those who profit from the illegal trade in those substances.

In contrast to the failed strategies of prohibition, we can consider Portugal as a model for reform, however partial. Since the decriminalization of drug use in 2001, Portugal has has shifted his focus from punishment to public health. The results speak for themselves: a dramatic decline in overdose deaths, a significant reduction in drug-related crime, and a marked increase in individuals seeking treatment. Treating addiction as a health problem rather than a criminal offense promotes a culture of support and recovery that values ​​human dignity over retribution.

At a time when prisons are overcrowded with people serving nonviolent drug offenses, we must ask ourselves: Wouldn’t we rather see people trapped in the throes of addiction rehabilitated rather than imprisoned? The current trajectory is not only a reflection of ineffective laws. It is also a moral failure. When the state criminalizes addiction, it strips people of their humanity and ignores their potential for recovery and positive contribution to society.

By recognizing the shortcomings of prohibition, we can pave the way for decriminalization and a public health strategy that provides treatment, education, and support instead of incarceration. Imagine a society where people struggling with addiction can access the help they need without fear of punishment. Imagine the millions of people whose lives could be transformed if we diverted resources from the criminal justice system to rehabilitation and prevention. Together, we can create a healthier, safer, and more just community for all.

Even if abolition of prison If substance abuse is not an immediate option, shouldn’t we at least campaign to free those caught in the devastating clutches of substance abuse? Let us seize this moment of transformation. Together, we can advocate for a future that recognizes our shared humanity, where every individual is given the opportunity to heal and redeem rather than be trapped in the shadows of stigma and shame.