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$714 billion. That's the current federal deficit. An unbelievable number
driven by many factors, including the "War on Drugs." Decades of drug war
spending have pushed the annual cost of prohibition to almost $50 billion.
If you wonder what drives your tax dollars, you need look no further than
"The Federal, State, and Local Price of the Drug War" from Drug War Facts.*
Prisons, wiretap devices, aviation units, media campaigns ... they all add
up; we can no longer afford them. Here's a sample:
- $48.7 billion in 2008 - Cost of drug prohibition. "...legalizing drugs would
save roughly $48.7 billion per year in government expenditure on enforcement
of prohibition. $33.1 billion of this savings would accrue to state and
local governments, while $15.6 billion would accrue to the federal
government. Approximately $13.7 billion of the savings would results from
legalization of marijuana, $22.3 billion from legalization of cocaine and
heroin, and $12.8 from legalization of other drugs."
Source: Miron, Jeffrey A., PhD, "The Budgetary Implications of Drug
Prohibition" (February 2010).
http://www.economics.harvard.edu/faculty/miron/files/budget%202010%20Final.pdf
- $6.2 billion in 2007 - Imprison drug offenders. "... the average daily
cost per state prison inmate per day in the US is $67.55. State prisons held
253,300 inmates for drug offenses in 2007. That means states spent
approximately $17.1 million per day to imprison drug offenders, or $6.2
billion per year.
Source: American Correctional Association, "2006 Directory of Adult and
Juvenile Correctional Departments, Institutions, Agencies and Probation and
Parole Authorities" (2006). Bureau of Justice Statistics, "Prisoners in
2007" (December 2008).
http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/p07.pdf
- $1.4 billion in 2009 - Lost California revenue. "... the revenue effect
of the bill [AB 390 to impose a fee of fifty dollars per ounce on the retail
sale of marijuana in California] is an estimated total annual revenue gain
of $1.4 billion, as follows: $990 million from the proposed $50 per ounce
levy on retail sales of marijuana [and] $392 million in sales tax revenues."
Source: Waltz, Debra A., "State Board of Equalization Staff Legislative Bill
Analysis," California State Board of Equalization, California Assembly, Bill
No: AB 390 (July 2009)
http://www.boe.ca.gov/legdiv/pdf/ab0390-1dw.pdf
If you agree that deficit spending on a futile drug war must stop, then you
need to support organizations that are bringing about real change. DrugSense
is one of them. We host websites from Drug War Facts* to the Reefer Madness
Museum to the Drug Truth Network -- We're helping to get the word out
worldwide. We're a full service media-focused organization that serves the
community for drug policy change.
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We need your help RIGHT NOW! A generous supporter has challenged us to raise
$25,000 from supporters just like you. In fact, this challenge effectively
doubles your contribution, allowing your support to go even further.
Donating is quick, easy, and secure. Just visit
http://www.drugsense.org/donate. Plus, because DrugSense is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit educational organization, your contribution is tax deductible,
something you'll appreciate on the next April 15th.
You can also make your check or money order payable to DrugSense and mail it
to:
14252 Culver Dr #328
Irvine, CA 92604-0326
Or you can donate toll free by calling 1-800-266-5759.
If you're fed up with how the government spends your tax dollars, why not
help change the policies that drive that spending? Contribute today to
ending the expensive drug war AND reducing the federal deficit.
Mark Greer
Executive Director
* You can find more about "The Federal, State, and Local Price of the Drug
War" from Drug War Facts here http://mapinc.org/url/8Xg6AK9z.
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