ivity and drug laws also violate the privacy of American citizens. The government has the right to search and seize people without a warrant and without probably cause, including viewing bank account records, email, and seizure of property. Libertarians argue this is a violation of civil liberties and does nothing to undermine drug use, ô[The government] is doing all of these things, and itÆs not doing anything to reduce drug use at allö, says Harry Browne, a Libertarian political candidate (Harry 2000, 7). Libertarians are also in favor of legalizing drugs because they view current drug laws as worse than the use of drugs. Drug users are often sentenced to sentences that are harsher than individuals who commit violent crimes. The War on Drugs has cost more than $300 billion over the past 20 years, while the addiction rate is the same now as it was in 1980, 1.3 percent (Coker-Garcia 1997, 1). Libertarians also believe that drug prohibition has increased the riches of drug dealers, has increased violent crime in AmericaÆs cities, and frighten drug addicts from admitting they have a problem. Mainly, however, |
