Is the War on Drugs working?

The cost of upkeep for a U.S. prisoner is approximately 22,000 dollars a year.  In 2009, the government spent two billion, 94 million, and 510 thousand dollars on incarcerating non-violent drug offenders.   State and local taxes spend around 25.7 billion dollars and federal taxes are used to spend around 15.6 billion dollars because of the War on Drugs.  The war on drugs has more than just a large monetary cost though. A drug conviction of even simple possession can be placed on one's record forever.  This one drug conviction can cripple opportunities for teenagers to adults.  A drug conviction can keep you from getting an education.  Many companies perform background checks and will not hire a person with a drug conviction even if the conviction was many years ago and has no standing on the ability of the person to produce value added to the company.  The most important thing to ask oneself is how does one decide if the war on drugs is working.  Many would argue it is worth both the monetary and non monetary costs as long as the community is "safe" from drugs.  The truth of the matter is that even with the large budget the war on drugs is given, drug use still continues to rise or stay the same depending on the drug.  Portugal took a radical drug stance and decriminalized every drug.  Thats right, even hard drugs like heroin.  Although it sounds crazy, drug use in Portugal has not risen.  Portugals policy lowers the stigmas of a drug charge so therefor no one is crippled from getting an education or a job.  Also, instead of spending taxes to incinerate drug offenders, drug offenders are offered free rehab programs which are far less expensive then prison.