The War on Drugs: 21st Century Version of Prohibition

Dark_Angers · May 8, 2007

http://campusleak.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=73&Itemid=99999999

ALPHARETTA H.S., Alpharetta, GA--William Blake once stated: "If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things through' narrow chinks of his cavern."

Interpreted and manifested by Aldous Huxley in 1954, Blake's words became the vanguard for the psychedelic drug culture to come. Unfortunately, society has sought to condemn these mystical substances and place them parallel to our most atrocious sins.

Psychedelic drugs represent three millennia of usage flowing through ancient shamans, multiple advanced civilizations, and some of the most inspirational minds of our contemporary culture. Although our usage has primarily transitioned from spiritual use to recreation use, one fundamental concept remains consistent: freedom.

This war on drugs is built on hypocrisy and disinformation. Our communities are keen on enforcing policies that restrict us from consuming nearly every drug available, especially psychedelics. However, we are reluctant in limiting the usage and distribution of more hazardous substances such as nicotine and alcohol. Put a gun to my head and paint the walls with my brain. When others arbitrarily decide what I can or cannot put in my own body it becomes my problem.

This is an issue sweeping the world. In Southeast Asia some nations have implemented the death penalty on serious drug offenses. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, our very own Big Brother of the drug culture, alcohol tops the list when it comes to intoxication. In other words, you're more likely to be on your ass all night while wasted rather than stoned or tripping.

Nod your head because you know that's right.

NIDA also reports that nicotine scores the highest in terms of addiction. By allowing the two most â€˜dangerous' drugs to go relatively uncontrolled and criminalizing nearly every aspect of most other substances, the entire foundation for the anti-drug movement falls apart.

Serotonergic psychedelics, such as LSD, psilocybin, DMT, and mescaline, are all non-toxic substances which induce dream-like states of consciousness, while still having lower intoxication levels than that of alcohol. Apart from LSD, these natural psychedelics have very long histories of human consumption dating back to times immemorial. There have been no deaths directly caused by any of them as there are no physical adverse effects.

Deaths associated with serotonergic psychedelics are attributed by idiotic behavior while under the influence of the chemicals which can easily be avoided during a state of sobriety. Eating a few caps of psychedelic mushrooms prior to operating a motor vehicle is clearly reckless and unfortunately difficult to combat.

However, therein lays the hypocrisy as the same can be said for alcohol. The Office of National Drug Control estimates that $12.7 billion will be spent in 2007 in order to combat illegal drugs while the alcohol and tobacco profiteers are wiping their asses with cash.

I believe we need to be more open to alternative solutions towards drug use rather than spending billions of taxpayer dollars and imprisoning responsible drug users. Downscaling this war would obviously minimize criminal activity and governmental expenditures, although the social costs would be unknown.

This is a war on the people; a war that has turned us against each other and bred a culture of suspicion. The ramifications of ending this perpetual war are difficult to speculate unless progressive action is taken. Begin ending prohibition now.
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