U.S. Taxpayers Spent Almost $13B To Fund Global War On Drugs In The Past Decade, Report Shows

A new report by the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) and Harm Reduction International (HRI) shines a critical light on U.S. spending in the global war on drugs, revealing that nearly $13 billion of taxpayer money has been allocated to international counternarcotics efforts since 2015.

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The 47-page analysis, released Wednesday, critiques the impact of these expenditures, citing human rights abuses, environmental damage, and misaligned priorities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Key Findings

1. Funding Misallocations:

   • The report argues that drug control spending often diverts resources from pressing issues such as global poverty alleviation and basic public services. The $13 billion spent on counternarcotics surpasses U.S. foreign aid allocated to primary education, water, and sanitation in low- and middle-income nations during the same period.

   • The expenditure is also 300 times greater than U.S. aid provided to women’s rights organizations globally.

2. Human Rights and Health Harms:

   • The analysis highlights significant human rights abuses tied to U.S.-supported drug war efforts, including:

     • Colombia: Aerial fumigation of coca crops caused health problems and displaced communities.

     • Philippines: U.S. funds have indirectly supported vigilante killings, forced rehabilitation, and contributed to rising HIV rates among drug users.

     • Mexico: U.S.-backed militarized drug policies have exacerbated violence, eroded democratic institutions, and harmed civil society.

3. Environmental Consequences:

   • Policies like aerial fumigation in Colombia have caused ecological damage, undermining conservation efforts and harming biodiversity in key regions.

4. Global Leadership in Punitive Measures:

   • The U.S. has been the largest contributor to international drug control efforts, providing more than half of the $1 billion in global aid earmarked for counternarcotics since 2013.

Recommendations

The report calls for a fundamental shift in U.S. and global drug policy, urging:

• Divestment from punitive models: Redirect funding from militarized drug control to health-oriented and evidence-based strategies.

• Transparency and Accountability: Increased scrutiny of how taxpayer money is spent on drug control abroad.

• Investment in Harm Reduction: Expand access to syringe exchange programs, overdose prevention tools like naloxone, and treatment services.

• Decriminalization and Regulation: Adopt policies that decriminalize drug use, support supervised consumption sites, and regulate certain substances.

Global Context

This report joins a growing international chorus for drug policy reform. The United Nations (UN) has called for an end to punitive drug policies, emphasizing evidence-based approaches that respect human rights. Latin American nations have also pushed for a reevaluation of drug war strategies to prioritize peace and development.

Implications Under the Trump Administration

As President-elect Donald Trump signals plans to intensify the global war on drugs, including increasing DEA funding and counternarcotics spending, advocates warn of exacerbating the harms outlined in the report. The DPA and HRI argue that doubling down on punitive measures would deepen inequities and undermine sustainable development goals.

This report underscores the urgent need for a paradigm shift in addressing drug issues, focusing on health, equity, and human rights rather than punitive enforcement.