Changes

The '''War on Drugs''' refers to a campaign created by the [[United States]] government targeted to reduce illegal drug use and trade. The term was first used by U.S. [[President]] [[Richard Nixon]] in 1971.  

The '''War on Drugs''' refers to a campaign created by the [[United States]] government targeted to reduce illegal drug use and trade. The term was first used by U.S. [[President]] [[Richard Nixon]] in 1971.  

== Reasoning ==

== Reasoning ==

Arguments against the war on drugs usually involve proponents of the concept of freedom of choice. Many people believe it is their own right, not the state's, to choose what substances they put into their body, even when they acknowledge that those substances will do them harm.

Arguments against the war on drugs usually involve proponents of the concept of freedom of choice. Many people believe it is their own right, not the state's, to choose what substances they put into their body, even when they acknowledge that those substances will do them harm.

Others argue that the laws against drugs are hypocritical since many other dangerous drugs, such as alcohol and tobacco as well as some prescription and over the counter medications are tolerated, especially legal prescription opiates, such as oxycodone and morphine, which are highly addictive and can lead to overdose. Some even argue that the legality of the sale of unhealthy foods and drinks goes against the principle behind the war on drugs, since deaths as a result from unhealthy diet dwarf deaths occurring from illegal drug use.

Others argue that the laws against drugs are hypocritical since many other dangerous drugs, such as alcohol and tobacco as well as some prescription and over the counter medications are tolerated, especially legal prescription opiates, such as oxycodone and [[morphine]], which are highly addictive and can lead to overdose. Some even argue that the legality of the sale of unhealthy foods and drinks goes against the principle behind the war on drugs, since deaths as a result from unhealthy diet dwarf deaths occurring from illegal drug use.

Many express that the dangers drugs hold towards society are exaggerated by the government and media, who only choose results from scientific studies which support the point of view that the illegal drugs are as dangerous as they say they are. On the other hand, many proponents of legalizing or decriminalizing drugs ignore scientific evidence that goes against their point of view.  

Many express that the dangers drugs hold towards society are exaggerated by the government and media, who only choose results from scientific studies which support the point of view that the illegal drugs are as dangerous as they say they are. On the other hand, many proponents of legalizing or decriminalizing drugs ignore scientific evidence that goes against their point of view.  

Few people hold a neutral and unbiased viewpoint on drugs, and as such, it is difficult to hold a rational and logical debate on the subject.

Few people hold a neutral and unbiased viewpoint on drugs, and as such, it is difficult to hold a rational and logical debate on the subject.

== Crime ==

== Crime ==

== Success or Failure? ==

== Success or Failure? ==

There are different views on what constitutes success with respect to the war on drugs. Although the amount of drugs seized by government organizations increases each year, the number of people still using drugs has not followed any particular pattern since the initiation of the war. Despite this, most governments have a positive outlook for their efforts to curb drug use and its associated problems.

There are different views on what constitutes success with respect to the war on drugs. Although the amount of drugs seized by government organizations increases each year, the number of people still using drugs has not followed any particular pattern since the initiation of the war. Despite this, most governments have a positive outlook for their efforts to curb drug use and its associated problems.

==See Also==

==See Also==

* [[Drug abuse]]

* [[Drug abuse]]

* [[Police state]]

* [[Police state]]

* [[War on terror]]

* [[War on terror]]

* [[SWAT]] team

* [[SWAT]] team

* [[RICO]]: [[Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act]] ([[RICO Act]]) — which allows 'no-knock' [[search warrant]]s and [[seizure]] of [[private property]] without trial or [[due process]]

* [[RICO]]: [[Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act]] ([[RICO Act]]) — which allows 'no-knock' [[search warrant]]s and [[seizure]] of [[private property]] without trial or [[due process]]

[[Category:Illegal Drugs]]

[[Category:Illegal Drugs]]

[[Category:Social Problems]]

[[Category:Social Problems]]

[[Category:Crime]]

[[Category:Crime]]