Pubdate: Wed, 23 Aug 2000 Source: Star-Ledger (NJ) Copyright: 2000 Newark Morning Ledger Co. Contact: 1 Star-Ledger Plaza, Newark, N.J., 07102-1200 Website: http://www.nj.com/starledger/ Forum: http://www.nj.com/forums/ Author: Mathew Hopkins Note: Matthew Hopkins of Cedar Grove, NJ is a graduate of Thomas Edison State College with a degree in psychology. WAR AGAINST THE EVIL OF DRUGS MUST CONTINUE Many people are saying we should end the "failed drug war." The logic goes something like this: There has been a war on drugs, but drugs are still around, so obviously the war has failed. Besides, drug use is a victimless crime, and drug users need rehabilitation, not jail time. There are many problems with these arguments. First, the idea that the continued existence of drug abuse means that the drug war must have failed is poor reasoning. There is no telling what the rate of abuse would be if law enforcement weren't fighting the drug trade. Also, the logic of the "failed war" argument could be extended to say the continued existence of cancer means the flght against that disease has failed and therefore should be abandoned. Next, drug use is not a victimless crime. In addition to all the victims of crimes committed by people under the influence of drugs, the user himself is a victim. I have no problem with people arrested for drug use being sent to rehab programs. But I do not believe that drug arrests should be excluded from criminal records or that drug use should be viewed as a personal mistake and not a crime. My main reason for opposing calls to end the drug war is simple: Drugs are evil. I know that today it is not fashionable to talk about such an absolute moral term as evil. And it is seen to be especially foolish to apply that term to inanimate chemicals. However, I stand by my belief that drugs are evil. Drug addicts lie, cheat and steal to support their habits. Drug use destroys friendships and rips apart families. People under the influence of drugs do things they never would under normal circumstances. Dealers know what they are selling is poison, but they continue to sell because of greed and lust for power. Drug addiction takes over a person's life and controls his actions just as much as any demon from myth. If these are not elements of evil, then nothing is. The flght against drugs is not easy, but it is a just cause. There will always be drug use, but that does not mean we are defeated. We may never be able to claim final victory in the war, but that does not mean we should surrender. - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck