For decades, we’ve been hearing about the “war on drugs.” When will this war be won? Will it ever be won? Would it be more honest of us to admit the war on drugs has been lost?
As I recall, this war was officially declared by Nixon in 1971. Since then, I’m told more than $2.5 trillion has been spent waging this war. At amounts this inconceivable, however, who could keep track? The Vietnam War ended in 1975 but, I’ve often wondered how people would feel if the Vietnam War were still going on today? What about the present war in Iraq? Suppose it were to go on for another thirty years? Do you think Americans would tolerate that? And, at costs similar, or greater, than the war on drugs?
When it comes to addressing the issues associated with the use and abuse of legal and illegal drugs, my perspective is, it’s time to try something different. Instead of continuing the present course of waging war on drugs (to an awakened soul, to wage “war” on anything is an oxymoron), why don’t we declare peace instead and legalize all drugs? I know that must sound preposterous to some people. But the suggestion seems no more insane to me than our present course of action. Think of the drug education programs, the rehab programs, the support agencies, and so forth that even a fraction of the $2.5 trillion dollars would fund? Parenthetically, think how much health care we could deliver to the citizens of this country if we were not so insane as to think we can win this war on drugs.
No, I am not suggesting this approach would end drug abuse. No more so than the relaxed Prohibition laws against the use of alcohol in the 1930’s ended either its use or abuse. But, I am pretty sure it would end most of the needless violence and killing associated with drug trafficking that occurs almost daily and virtually everywhere. What used to be a war fought in the remote poppy fields of Afghanistan and Latin America is now being fought in Mexico. A few battles are even waged across the borders here in the U.S. In other words, some of the worst violence and bloodshed is now taking place in our proverbial backyard. So, all I’m saying is this: Our endless waging of war against drug trafficking has only succeeded in bringing the war to our streets and neighborhoods. Furthermore, the use and abuse of legal and illegal drugs may be greater today than ever in history. If this is not insanity, what is it?
It is the ego in us that cannot admit that this war, like all wars, has been lost. As a consequence, many have chosen instead to believe a lie—that what we fight, we can conquer. But, the spiritual truth is just the opposite: what you fight, survives; what you resist, persists.
As I hinted at earlier, there is no war that ever brings peace. Jesus said as much himself.[1] But then, who’s listening? It is true that a war we may declare as having won brings a temporary sense of exhilaration and a brief period of “peace;” but, alas, both prove to be an illusion. For, war only ever breeds more war, which is precisely why the war on drugs will never end. If history has not taught us this, there is little history could teach us.
Every drug cartel that law enforcement officers eliminate only succeeds in giving birth to several more. Since this has been going on for so long, however, everyone has become addicted to the illusion that progress is being made. On those rare occasions, for example, when law enforcement officers arrest the kingpin of a drug cartel or seize a shipment of drugs, the officers will display the spoils of their war for the media medics. Photos flash, pictures are sent to the news outlets everywhere which, in turn, siphon the images into a syringe called “Breaking News” and inject it into the egoic bloodstream of Americans. Everyone feels better, if only temporarily, as if the war on drugs is actually being won.
But, this is the ego. It is our national addiction. And, it is insane.
[1] Matthew 26:52
