The first time I heard a police officer argue that the war on drugs wasn't working was in 1994.
I was teaching at an alternative high school in South Shore, and the officer was a Chicago police veteran who'd been asked to lead the faculty through a brief drug-education seminar. After just a few minutes, though, the officer announced that in his view little would change without a major shift in public policy. "I think drugs should be legalized, to tell you the truth," he said.
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As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
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