Why the War on Drugs Is a Joke

Whether the powers that be choose to ignore or confront it, the fact is that drugs will be sold, bought and used for as long as civilization stands. In a country where an individual is free to do nearly anything he pleases, so long as his actions do not harm another or their property, it is perplexing to think that he may not experiment with or use certain mind-altering substances. The argument that drugs are dangerous or addictive does not hold any weight nor has it dissuaded millions of drug users from abstaining. You are free to drink alcohol until your liver fails, smoke cigarettes until your lungs corrode, eat fast food until your heart explodes and spend your money on worthless products that advertisers promise will bring us more happiness yet leave us feeling even emptier than before. You are not free, however, to smoke a bit of weed and eat pizza with your friends, enjoy a line of coke at a party and talk your ass off, puff on some opium after a long day at the office or explore the fathomless depths of your mind with your favorite hallucinogen. We must ask the question, “why not?” And who has the right to tell us certain vices we may possess should be strictly forbidden and demonized to no end? Heroin, whiskey, crack, Xanax – every drug on the planet has the potential for abuse, some more than others, but not everyone who gets drunk becomes a violent wife beater, likewise, not everyone who tries heroin or meth becomes a drug addict. Regarding those that do – so what? It is far more immoral to impose one’s will on another than to allow that person to do what they please, so long as they do not interfere negatively in the lives of others.

If we truly do live in a free society, and if every man and woman is entitled to the pursuit of happiness, then the “War on Drugs” should be called off, deemed an utter failure and prohibition be lifted. If some find their happiness in drugs, then let them. Fifteen-year old kids can score a gram of heroin or crack easier than they can buy a 40 oz. of Mickey’s. When I was using, any drug I wanted was a phone call and a 15 minute car ride away. There are more drug addicts than ever and I predict there will be many more as time goes on. Most of the US’ prison population consists of non-violent drug offenders, people with families and jobs that just wanted to get high or make money. The dealer is no guiltier of the crime of supplying than the user is of demanding.

Another argument I often hear is, “if drugs were legal, everyone would do them!” A statement like this could only come from someone who relies on the government or social pressure to guide their actions and influence their decisions; someone with no mind or values of their own. Heroin is still a dangerous and highly addictive substance that has the potential to destroy your life. Legalizing it will not change that. Anyone who decides it might be a good idea to try heroin or crack because the government says it is OK to do so is an idiot and should suffer the consequences of their actions. The number of drug-related crimes I have read about or heard from friends have little to do with the drug itself. It is because the drug is illegal, and thus, hard to acquire. Seeing as many addicts are often far from financially stable, they have got to do what they must to get their fix. People don’t hold the owner of a tobacco shop at gunpoint and demand 100 cartons of Marlboro Reds. This is because cigarettes are cheap and readily available. Not only does prohibition label drug users as reckless, immoral parasites, it enables the cartels to do what they do best – manufacture and sell more drugs! Cartels would not exist if it weren’t for the laws prohibiting the production, distribution, buying, selling and using of drugs.

By Cameron C.

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