War On Drugs

According to the State Department's annual drug-trafficking report, a federal law took effect in 1985 authorizing the United States to penalize countries that do not control illicit narcotics production. Today, these same countries are now producing larger quantities of heroin, cocaine, marijuana and other drugs, Furthermore, three years after installing a pro-U.S. government, Afghanistan has been unable to contain opium poppy production and is on the verge of becoming a narcotics state. Opium poppy is the raw material for heroin. Colombia is the source of more than 90 percent of the cocaine and 50 percent of the heroin entering the United States. The report also listed Mexico as a major producer of heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana destined for U.S. markets. Source: New York Times and Associated Press.

Some would argue that the only solution would be the legalization of drugs. By removing the criminality of drug sales, possession and usage, the United States government could devote more of its law enforcement resources on other crimes such as murder, rape, assault etc. Furthermore, they argue that regulation of such drugs could create a revenue enhancement for federal, state and local governments. The counter argument suggests that by legalizing drugs, the government grants an implicit consent that drug consumption is morally acceptable. Others argue that the U.S. should focus more on the demand side of the problem by increasing funds for psychiatric and psychological counseling. Their argument is based on the idea that if the individual is properly counseled and medicated, the demand for illegal narcotics would drop significantly. The counter argument is that this solution is cost prohibitive and will only result in replacing one problem with another. Still others offer a more hard-line approach when it comes to dealing with foreign countries such as setting a deadline for the removal of narcotics production. If the deadline passes, the U.S. should utilize various crop-field-burning methods so as to totally obliterate any type of crop production. This would effectively eliminate the central piece of drug production across the planet. The counter argument, however, is that this policy would prevent farmers from switching to other crops in order to earn a legitimate living. I believe that the problem of illegal narcotics in the United States poses a greater threat to the average citizen than any terrorist and/or nuclear threat in existence today. Perhaps a balanced integration of all three of these solutions is our only answer.

I've seen numbers on Afghanistan's up in poppey production as high as 900%, not only is it a Pro-American Government, we still have troops there. And have plans for permanent bases.

Now, in your post, the one thing I didn't hear mentioned that seems kind of important, is allegations of US Government involvement in drug trafficking.

But you did mention how when ever our government gets involved "against" drugs, it gets worse too. Which happens instantaneously as well as over time.

Now, regardless of any government involvement either way, I do not think any people should be criminalized for use or posession or distribution to concentual parties.

The reasons for this are, 1. If drugs are a problem because they are addictive, then outside intervention and help, not punishment are in order. 2. If that is not the problem then it is a matter of choice and it should not be criminalized. 3. As for criminals who use drugs, that doesn't matter, if they commit a crime that matters. The drug shouldn't make them a criminal, the criminal act should.

And as long as hypocricy in the form of legal alcohol exists, claims of immorality or justice in referrence to other drugs can recieve no credibility. Not to mention the abuse of perscription drugs which tends to lead towards more important people because they have access to doctors, money, insurance to get "legal" drugs "prescribed" to them.

You have drug pushers coming on TV every day and night now, do you suffer these symptoms, try this new and improved more expensive version of our drugs.

Drugs equals big money, big people go after big money, as they have, its gotten worse not better, this is either intentional or just needs to be changed from the current course.

excellent points and analysis...illegal narcotics are a symptom of our country imploding (addiction) compared to exploding (terrorists)...