Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos has some interesting ideas about international drug policy.
Do you think legalizing softer drugs could be a way forward?
Yes, that could be an answer, provided everyone does it at the same time.
Is that something you would support?
If the entire world does it, yes.
But somebody has to take the first steps?
Yes, and it won’t be me.
Why?
Because for Colombia, this is a matter of national security. Drug trafficking is what finances the violence and the irregular groups in our country. I would be crucified if I took the first step. We need to insist on more multinational actions on drug trafficking and innovate the ways we are dealing with it. [Metro]
So…either the president of Colombia is dangerously insane, or there are actually some pretty enormous problems with the way drug use is dealt with around the world. His candor is impressive considering the unbelievable amount of effort it takes to get our president to talk about drug policy for even 30 seconds.
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