The Right to Make the Wrong Choice

This is a fundamental rule and the black market will demonstrate much to the same. The only way in which to apply real market strategies of supply and reduction is to change the criminal status of the sales transaction. Economically speaking, the black market is an underground economy free of the rules of fair play and governmental regulation of the legitimate markets. No amount of effort will change this specific blanket of immunity that attaches to underground transactions until their sheer and illicit nature is changed. Thus, it is safe to suggest that policy in the United States is incorrect in attempting to apply such strategies as the supply reduction approach because the fundamental nature will not attach to an illicit good.

In the “War on drugs” despite efforts of law enforcement agencies and billions of dollars spent, it is no closer to a success than it was at any other time in history. In fact, the “War on Drugs” was closer to winning before it started than it is at the present. Americans currently purchase and consume an estimated 35% – 60% of the entire production of illicit drugs in the world [2]. In spite of the original and noble intention to protect and preserve the health and well-being of each citizen, the methods applied in the ongoing battle have proven themselves dismal failures. The only reality confirmed in the current prohibition of drugs and drug abuse specifically is that psychoactive drugs -those with mind altering properties- are firmly engrained in the fabric of our Nation just as alcohol and cigarettes, the two most commonly abused, yet, legal drugs.

Footnotes

1.Thomas, Tonya. (2004) “Harm Production vs. Harm Reduction”. Unpublished theory as it relates to Government policy in the “War on Drugs”.

2.Federal Government Spending & Privately funded studies all report different findings. This estimate is based on all in an attempt to fairly represent the amount of drugs used in American society.