THE WAR ON DRUGS REDUX

So, what exactly is this "War On Drugs?"

The term itself is little more than an abstaction.

But the staggering collateral damage of this abstraction - this military metaphor for stamping out the thriving business in the import, export and sale of illegal drugs is visible thoughout this nation.

This collateral damage has struck every social, cultural economic and ethnic strata in this nation.

This collateral damage resides in every shattered family, every ruined life, every heart wrenching death, every missed promise of a life's dream unfulfilled that has been consumed by the fires of addiction.

And one need only to leave or maybe enter one's own front door to visit the front lines of this 'war on drugs' to witness this collateral damage.

Big city, small town, rural hamlet, have all been invaded by the thriving business of the export, import and sale of illegal drugs.

President Richard Nixon was the first to use the term "War On Drugs," when he declared illegal drug abuse to be "Public Enemy Number One," in June of 1971.

And in July of 1973, President Nixon created the Drug Enforcement Agency, whose sole charter is to interdict and destroy illegal drugs in the United States and around the world.

And every U.S. President since has wrestled with this abstraction, this enigma, this battle to eliminate a blight on our nation, this 'war on drugs.'

And here we are, decaded later still fighting this 'war on drugs.' 

And it is still an abstraction resulting in the visible collateral damage of this enigma, this riddle, this attempt to to eliminate this blight on our nation.

We have reached critical mass in this country with the use and abuse of illegal and prescription drugs.

It is time for a look at the 'war on drugs' redux.

Time to lock and load and put together a new mission statement.

Time to find a way to combat the stupefying damage done to our citizens in a way which reflects the realpolitik of the situation rather than ideological notions or moralistic or ethical premises.

Then, maybe, we can...get 'er done.