[February 25, 2014] The declaration of a “war on drugs” by the President Nixon administration in 1971 was a continuation of U.S. government policy that had been in place, essentially since 1914. The United Nations and many senior leaders in government across the globe participated and are currently conducting policies that discourage illegal drug use.
Sadly, there has been a persistent, strong resistance to the effort to discourage drug use in the United States and our political leadership has stumbled in their efforts. The “war,” which is not really a war but a set of policies and monies designed to destroy drug production and transportation and discourage consumption, has generated a very one sided outcry.
- The war on drugs is a war on us.
- The war on drugs is just big business as usual.
- You are a “victim” of the war on drugs.
- Recreational drugs should be legalized.
- No jail 4 pot.
- This is not a war to control dangerous drugs, but a war on the poor.
- The war on drugs: finding greed since 1971.
- The racist war on drugs.
- The war on drugs: the war on blacks.
- The war on drugs has failed. War on drugs: epic fail.
- Blaming the victim.
The other day I found a picture showing a side-by-side comparison of ancient young Greeks (in metal armor and helmets looking very tough) next to modern Greeks (with closed eyes, smoking crack, and looking sleepy). It certainly was a contrast where the modern world has taken us. I sure wish I could find that picture.
Just a few days ago, Mexican authorities captured and arrested one of the most wanted drug lords. So, the war on drugs continues. The drug lord is part of a drug cartel that has killed many thousands of people. Yet, people are quick to blame the laws making it illegal and not the killers.
Illegal drugs are a problem, a bigger problem than most here in the U.S. realize. There is no denying there is a problem because of the direct and indirect death and destruction. Recently, President Obama declared that the war on drugs has failed. Some people interpret this as meaning that illegal drug use is okay and even encouraged.
There is a time coming in the United States where illegal drugs will divide us more so than ever before. Moral courage among our leaders is lacking on the subject of illegal drug use.
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More information on the origins of the “War on Drugs:” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_on_Drugs