The "war" on drugs has improved the nation's health and is a good social policy. There is overwhelming evidence showing that our drug problem has decreased, due to a three-pronged approach of prevention, treatment, and law enforcement. Illegal drug use is almost 40 percent less since its high point in 1979. Marijuana use is down almost 50 percent since its peak in the 1970s. Cocaine use is down by 80 percent since its peak in the 1980s. Although we are still challenged by amphetamines and prescription drug abuse, the overall trend is that drug abuse and drug crime have gone down. We achieved this with tougher laws and drug use prevention efforts, such as education. We also use drug treatment in the criminal justice system and drug testing and treatment in employment.
The legalization advocates seek to demoralize the public with propaganda such as "the war on drugs has failed." If they can get the public to doubt the effectiveness of our efforts, then perhaps the public will support legalization.
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