Drugs and Democracy: Toward a Paradigm Shift

This "Blue Ribbon” Commission presented its findings on February 11, 2009 in its statement, Drugs and Democracy: Toward a Paradigm Shift. Convened by former presidents Fernando Henrique Cardoso of Brazil, César Gaviria of Colombia and Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico and composed of 17 independent personalities, the Commission evaluated the impact of the "war on drugs" and presented recommendations for safer, more efficient and humane policies. Its three main recommendations are to: 1) treat drug use as a public health issue; 2) reduce consumption through information and prevention actions; and 3) focus law enforcement efforts on organized crime.