Any close examination of the "war on drugs" metaphor leads inescapably to the conclusion that one weapon could bring us to the brink of victory--legalization. But most who discuss this option consider it surrender.
How have we confused surrender with victory? Let's start by looking at the "war on drugs" metaphor closely, and define some "war" terms. First, who or what is the "enemy?" Second, what defines "victory" in this "war?"
Is the "enemy" in this "war" the drug addict? No reasonable person believes that. Addicts are in many ways the victims of a "war" policy that drives up the price of their craved substances to the point where criminal activity is their only alternative to cold turkey. Alcoholism is often described as a sickness. Drug addicts merit the same consideration alcohol addicts receive.
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