by Bradley Dodson

Created on: March 22, 2009

The War on Drugs is a name given to the United States' efforts to control drug use in America. Many people in America, support the government's War on Drugs. But where should a line be drawn? Should America use any means necessary to control the use of drugs?

I would say that the person who started the mess known as the War on Drugs would be Harry J. Anslinger. Harry Anslinger was born on May 20, 1892. He did not receive his diploma, but he did enroll at Pennsylvania State College and received his Associates Degree. He led a campaign against "marijuana" in the 1920's and 1930's. My favorite quote from Harry is "Marijuana leads to pacifism and communist brainwashing" How is pacifism and communism related to Marijuana in any way?

Anyway, back to the subject. Right at this minute, 11:11 P.M. on March 19, 2009, The total money spent Federally on the War on Drugs this year totals $4,427,345,891. Is $4.4 billion really worth this holy war against drugs? Crystal Methamphetamine makes your teeth rot, your arms develop lacerations from constant scratching due to hallucinations of bugs crawling under your skin. Sure, it's a pretty nasty drug. But why should you tell someone they can't do it? Marijuana, having many known uses, ranging from hemp oil as fuel, roots for rope or paper, and relaxing from a hard day at work. There are many kinds of drugs, even Caffeine.

Many people have heard of the "THC pill" Marinol. It is a prescription medication containing the Active Ingredient Delta-9-Tetrahydracannabinol. The DEA likes to claim that anyone who wants to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes is just "blowing smoke", but many people who need THC for Chemotherapy say that while Marinol helps, it is too high of a dose, and the pills cost a whopping $13 each, when you can get 4 grams of marijuana for $15, enough for about 5 doses.

Many innocent people have died in the War on Drugs, losing a battle they weren't even enlisted to fight in, on their home turf. In April 2001, A 35-year-old Christian missionary, flying with her seven-month-old daughter were killed when the Cessna airplane they were in were shot down in Peru, resulting form incorrect information from the DEA. Her husband and son were seriously injured. An elderly woman died of a heart attack because law enforcements entered her house at night with flash grenades. They came to the wrong address. Also, an eleven-year-old boy was shot after following a SWAT team's orders to lie on the ground.

Yet, Americans spend more and more on this Insane, Inane, and Inhumane "War" against drugs. Most people that I know that use drugs do not drive under the influence, bother people when under the influence, or do anything to disturb the peace. So why should he have to worry about getting busted for doing something such as Ecstasy in the privacy of his/her own home? Using drugs should not be seen as something "against god" or "morally unacceptable", it should be seen as something comparable to watching television or using the computer, just something you do every once in a while that relaxes your mind. Stop this war on drugs, it's users, and American taxpayer's wallets.

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