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From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International, this is To the Point.

Uruguay opt out of the war on drugs.

Hello again, I'm Mormon Olney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International,

a daily look at the issues Americans care about most. A South American country with three million people has drawn worldwide attention as the first nation to fully legalize marijuana. Uruguay's president, Jose Mujica, says it's not about being free and open. It's because illegal drug traffic is more destructive socially than the drug itself.

Most people in his own country do not agree, and the action violates a 50-year-old international

treaty. But many world leaders call the war on drugs a vastly expensive failure, and they're

watching to see if Uruguay can build a viable alternative. Today's talking point, the new film American Hustle, and some of what actually happened.

First, here's the news.

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Hello again, Warren Alney, back with To the Point.

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