---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Three strikes' laws make no sense as…"
description: "\"Three strikes' laws make no sense as policy. They are more about the politicians responding to the people's desire to see their fury at social dysfunct..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bb/glenn-loury-40213_all-kinds_three-strikes-laws-make-no-sense-as-poli_3136599.jpg"
---

#  Three strikes' laws make no sense as policy. They are more…

![“Three strikes' laws make no sense as policy. They are more about the politicians responding to the people's desire to see their fury at social dysfunction reflected in the law. Our sentences are way too long. We need to look at the war on drugs, which is to say we need to look and this is easier…” quote by Glenn Loury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bb/glenn-loury-40213_all-kinds_three-strikes-laws-make-no-sense-as-poli_3136599.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bb/glenn-loury-40213_all-kinds_three-strikes-laws-make-no-sense-as-poli_3136599.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bb/glenn-loury-40213_all-kinds_three-strikes-laws-make-no-sense-as-poli_3136599.jpg)

> “Three strikes' laws make no sense as policy. They are more about the politicians responding to the people's desire to see their fury at social dysfunction reflected in the law. Our sentences are way too long. We need to look at the war on drugs, which is to say we need to look and this is easier said than done. Once again, politically, not an easy lift at all. Nevertheless, our policy is self-defeating. We're not keeping people from using the substances. We're creating a huge black market, just like we did under prohibition, which attracts all kinds of criminal enterprise.”

[Glenn Loury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-loury/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Punitive drug laws create black markets and fail to reduce usage, making policy self‑defeating.

**In simple terms:** Harsh drug laws worsen crime.

Key Takeaway

Reform drug policy to reduce harm.

Themes

justice reform public health drug policy

Mood

critical analytical

Type

policy social commentary

When to use this quote

- legislative drafting
- community education
- law enforcement strategies

Key Concepts

prohibition consequences market dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- How can evidence‑based policies gain public support?
- What alternatives reduce drug‑related harm?

A Different Perspective

Political resistance can stall reforms.

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