THE war on drugs has failed. That is the stark and uncompromising conclusion of the Global Commission on Drugs Policy, which reported last week. The Commission, which comprises a stellar line-up of international leaders, argues it is time to accept that the "war" launched by President Nixon 40 years ago has been lost. Not only have the supply and consumption of illegal drugs continued to rise inexorably, but the social and financial costs for governments and families the world over demand radical new thinking.

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