Analysis of the War on Drugs

Foreword
The human body is an amazing creation. If you cut your
hand, under normal conditions it will heal itself. If you abuse
your mind and body by getting drunk or stoned, under
normal conditions, nature will restore the natural
equilibrium by bringing you down. Normality may be
defined for our purpose as the state of consciousness
which human evolution has found through trial and error to
give an optimum chance for survival. The persistent abuse
of any drug, including tobacco, will pose a long term hazard
to your health.
Especially since the sixties, mood altering drugs have
become fashionable. This has posed a unique danger to both individuals and society. We cannot legislate drugs out
of existence any more than we can undiscover the
principles of atomic energy. We may and should strive for a
drug free culture. In the absence of that ideal, it is imperative
that we understand and educate ourselves about the effects
of recreational drugs and their potential for abuse. Such
education must be logical and accurate. To date our
response has been hysterical and repressive. The
escalating drug crisis and the resulting ‘War on Drugs’ is
proof that our approach so far has been worse than
inadequate.
This essay does not concern itself with the medical
effects of drugs. It is ‘An Analysis of the War on Drugs’.
It attempts to answer how and why the war on drugs came
about, what is going on behind the political rhetoric, and what we can do to promote a more humane and effective
response to a serious social crisis.
Brian J. Grieveson
Loon Lake
June Ist, 1989