Bill calls for review of drug policies in Latin America

Reps. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) and Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.) have introduced legislation creating a commission to study American drug policies in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The lawmakers argued that a review of drug policies would help identify which policies work and which don’t. South American countries like Colombia and Mexico remain the top originating countries of drugs such as cocaine and heroin consumed in the U.S.

“Over the last few decades, we’ve spent billions and billions on counternarcotics programs in Latin America and the Caribbean, yet more and more Americans are using illegal drugs,” Engel, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement. “This legislation would force us to take a hard look at our drug policy and make sure we have the best strategy going forward.”

{mosads}The Western Hemisphere Drug Policy Commission created by the bill would be required to submit recommendations to Congress, the State Department and Office of National Drug Control Policy within a year.

The president, Speaker, House minority leader, Senate majority leader and Senate minority leader would each appoint two members to the commission.