Dead Horse: America's War on Drugs

The war continues. It has waged on for decades. America has never declared victory in this war. The war on drugs is comparable to any other war; there are soldiers, victims, and casualties. The war on drugs waged by the United States government is the country's longest running and most costly war. More casualties have resulted from this war than any other, and it is widely regarded as a failure by most analysts. The U.S. government should concede to the fact that the fight against drugs and those that use them is a hopeless and fruitless campaign.

The tax dollars spent to fight the war on drugs is astounding. Federal drug enforcement, a $6 million expense in the 1960's, passed the $1 billion mark in the mid 1980's during the Ronald Reagan presidency, and passed more than $17 billion during the Bill Clinton presidency of the 1990's. These funds could be better used to help solidify more important government and social programs concerning our nation and its citizens. Social programs such as medical insurance, better education, and social security are a few of the many areas in our society that could benefit from the revenue that is being pumped into the inflated and unproductive drug enforcement budget.

Since 1996 voters in some American states have approved legislation legalizing the medical use of marijuana. My argument for the legalization of drugs is simple. We already have the problem of drug dealers, users, and abusers in our society. No amount of drug prevention or education is going to change that.

The consideration of legalizing drugs is a platform with many supporters and critics. There are great arguments on both sides of the debate. Popular opinion is to keep things as they are. Get tougher on drugs is what many politicians and citizens cry out for. It is time for a change. Many people agree that legalized drugs are a platform that deserves further exploration and consideration. Some people that hear this point of view may consider it preposterous, ludicrous, or even insane. I support change in the policy America has adopted for its drug abusing and using citizens. The current no tolerance program is not working, and in fact it has never worked with any great degree of success.

The current U.S. drug policy is likening to beating a dead horse. It is not successful by any measurable standard. Lawmakers and politicians in this country need to awaken from their slumber and make the necessary changes to implement a new policy to replace the failed war on drugs policy.