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One of the largest problems with our current efforts to reduce drug use is that we look at drugs as something wholly different from what they are. Drugs are not a sentient force that can be fought, or a corrupting demon that needs exorcism, drugs are a commodity that is bought and sold much the same way corn is. In order to reduce the use of drugs in this country, we must treat it as we would treat any other market force.

For one, attacking the supply of drugs, specifically our policy of spraying fields, is not an effective measure, and it is certainly a costly one. It hurts the farmers who grow drugs, generally out of desperation more than greed. It hurts the country where we spray them, by inciting protests against our policies. It hurts our country too by using large amounts of money in very ineffective ways. We're looking at drugs as something that can be fought or killed, we should look at it as a market trend to be controlled.

The only way to reduce the use of drugs is to reduce the demand of drugs. Economics teaches that the only way you'll ever see a drop in supply is by reducing demand to the point that there is a surplus of supply. The best way to reduce demand is to target those who consume the most drugs, the addicts. Currently, the US does not have a large enough program for treating addicts as people suffering from an addiction instead of criminals to be punished. While legalization of drugs is perhaps not the answer, making those who come forward capable of getting help without being prosecuted as criminals is an important step forward.

If addicts knew that, by going to any local hospital, they would be guaranteed treatment that would wean them off drugs, in addition to job training skills that would get them back on their feet, many would be able to kick their habit without the need for searching them out. Most addicts don't like living in squalor, looking for their next fix. By giving addicts an alternative that is not jail, we create a situation where it makes much more sense to come forward, admit addiction, and get help in a way that is non-coercive and not a monetary hardship. Be getting the hardcore addicts off the streets, we can greatly reduce the demand for drugs, while, simultaneously lifting those in hardcore addiction out of poverty by providing them job training and job placement.

Reducing the demand is the only way to reduce the use of drugs. Demand arises from desperation, depression, poverty and addiction. Only be treating these societal ills can we ever hope to make our nation's gross drug abuse problem less prevelant.

Learn more about this author, Bryan Jennings.
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