America leads the world and whatever America does to reduce the production of illicit drugs such as cocaine and heroin, other nations will follow. It does not matter where the drugs are sold; it affects us all with the degradation of society. It takes money out of the pockets of people and keeps them from buying necessities like food and clothing, or paying rents, mortgages, car payments, health care payments, insurances and credit card bills. It is a far reaching devastation that takes control of people, separating families and creating crime as the need to get money to buy more drugs takes over.
America cannot posture itself against illicit drugs and its effect on society without looking at its own ways. The production and sale of alcohol, tobacco and lottery tickets is supported by the government as a way of receiving tax revenues. They all produce similar affects on families and the community.
The Taliban prohibited the production of poppies for drugs; the penalty was death. It was not the Taliban alone that curbed the production, but the remembrance of the word of God to their prophet and the fear of a horrible life here and in the afterlife. When the United States went in and disabled the Taliban, not only was the restraint taken away, but now the funds that will be acquired in sales of cocaine and heroin are used to fund those who fight American, British and Nato forces in Afghanistan and other Islamic nations. Instead of a restraining influence, now they call it a requirement of their religion to produce funds for the holy war.
Drugs, like all productions are made because there is a market. The key role that the United States could play in reducing the production of illicit drugs is to use the Federal Communication Commission to prohibit references and use of drugs in the media. The agency is there to protect society. The same should be done regarding various violence and immoralities. When America lifts up decency principles for its citizens, the degrading of culture will stop. The 1960s brought in the drug culture by a few; and a few can bring in a period of morality, helpfulness to neighbors, and generosity. These things will bring remembrance of a better life here, now, and in the future.
The drugs from any nation including Bolivia, Afghanistan, or Columbia are sold in the democratic consumerism model of buy low and sell higher. Many users must sell to pay for their own addiction; that perpetuates the system. The stress that promotes drug use can be eliminated with a vision of the future where there is hope for beauty and peace in life and not just bondage and stress tied to the American dream of owning more and more and working more for bigger and better luxuries. Working and just barely paying for necessities year in and year out is also a hopeless situation that promotes drugs and alcohol as escapes.
There is a vision and a hope for a peaceful prosperous life of beauty and freedom. We have conducted life as though the goal was employment; it is not. The goal in life is retirement in a garden paradise that we can build now. We can begin planting trees, bushes, vines and plants that produce food to eat; and we can select pets that give milk and eggs. There can be a future of renewed production and multiplication of plants and animals that makes an unending supply of provisions. All holy books promote a garden blessing and that will cause believers to take hold of this model lifestyle, others will follow.
With the retirement lifestyle of a garden paradise, there will be a strong reduction to the production of illicit drugs; life will give its own "high" feeling with no down-side to it. The world problems of today will seem like a dream as they are erased from our minds.
Our culture has reached a dead end and created the energy crisis, global warming, pollution, water and food crisis, war, health problems and nursing homes, accidental deaths, economic woes, unemployment, immigration problems, welfare and social security insufficiencies, crime and drugs, abortion and suicide. All these problems will vanish almost at the moment the United States decides to lead with this model lifestyle. We will create a destination of beauty around us that we will not want to leave. The way is prepared before us and ready when we want it.