It has been about a year since I started blogging about the global drug problems. However, I first acknowledged the problems in the “war on drugs”, back in 1986. Globally, technology has grown by leaps and bounds since the ’80s. Law enforcement has developed many new assets to help contain the proliferation of illicit drugs. The fact remains that the drugs are here to stay!! What can we do going forward to eliminate the violent by-products of this incredibly profitable industry? Throughout the years, I presented my arguments to many people, sitting on both sides of this divisive issue. Generally, folks believe that I am merely advocating the use of drugs, so everyone wishing to “be stoned”, can be. Nothing could be further from the truth. I realize that many new problems would emerge, if on a global scale, legalized cocaine, heroine, and marijuana, along with some other “designer” drugs became socially acceptable forms of  self-sedation. Controlling the drugging and driving law would be endless. Addiction would sky-rocket among certain populations. Preventing children from using dangerous drugs that were otherwise legal for the adult population,  would be totally problematic. Emergency rooms around the world would be treating users far more frequently. All of these problems already exists globally. Legalization, would allow the governments of the producer and consumer countries, to funnel these new found monies into the appropriate areas to offset the onslaught.

Alcohol, is perhaps the single most widely accepted drug in the world. Most countries allow the use of this drug all  in settings. However all of the fore-mentioned problems that would stem from illicit drug legalization, occur everyday in alcohol -related incidents. In the US,  most violent crimes are perpetrated while under the influence of alcohol. During prohibition the illegal abuse of this drug created a similar problem,  in terms of organized crime cartels controlling its distribution. Territorial wars and the like, made law enforcement agencies work overtime to try and protect the public, as well as prevent the drug from being abused across the country. Eventually our government re-evaluated prohibition and yesterdays “drug dealers”,  became legitimate business people. We all know someone suffering from the effects of alcoholism. Scientist continue to look for physiological pre-dispositions to determine whether or not genetics play a role in alcohol dependent individuals. The damage done to the human body abusing alcohol is devastating. So why then is one drug tolerated, while others are not? Ask fifty people this question and you’ll get that many different responses.  I believe it all comes back to politics.

I continue to be hopeful going forward as fourteen (14) US states now have enacted legislation leading to the use of “medical marijuana”. We as a society are moving in the right direction. Yet while the states pass laws legalizing the use of medicinal pot, the federal government continues raids on farmers crops that would provide for patients’ needs. This administration has much on their proverbial plate. Moreover, the stalemated Congress certainly cannot be counted on to lend any type of real assistance to this issue. Tapping into the international community is our best hope of seeing significant change, with regard to a global approach to legalization. I imagine that during these economic times, governors of these fourteen progressive states, understand the revenue that would be generated, just by selling marijuana to those legally able to purchase it. I realize that the concept of across the board legalization of illicit drugs sounds tentative to many, but watching the nightly news describing the effects of the wars going on between rival syndicates is totally inhumane. Countries all over the globe are experiencing the backlash, as the fighting and killing of innocent and the guilty continues to numb the human race.  We as Americans pride ourselves on the freedoms that we advocate and enjoy.  Let us lead the global society into a world,  where governments and not gangs,  industries and not cartels,  adults and not children manage this worldwide business!!