“AMERICA’S LONGEST WAR”

U.S. “drug overdose deaths” reached their highest point ever recorded last year (exceeding 100,000 over 12 months). As, in both 2020 and 2021, “fentanyl overdose” was reportedly the leading cause of death among 18 to 45 year olds—taking more lives than COVID-19, car accidents, firearms misuse, suicide, and cancer. While America’s longest (and likely costliest) war—the “War on Drugs”—continues on with no end in sight. One declared by President Nixon over 50 years ago, while targeting “drug abuse” as “public enemy number one in the U.S.”

Of course Fentanyl—a synthetic opioid created in 1960 and approved for U.S. medical use in 1968—is merely one of many addictive substances abused by countless, along with but not limited to, heroin, cocaine, barbiturates, alcohol, nicotine, THC (found in marijuana), etc. As addictive-drugs and their positive and negative effects appear to have been around since the beginning. For example, the Sumerians’ (of ancient Babylonia) use of opium, reportedly traceable to 5000 B.C.; the earliest record of alcohol production, reportedly traceable to an Egyptian brewery in 3500 B.C.; and tobacco use, reportedly introduced into Europe in 1493 by Columbus and his crew returning from America.

The U.S. “prevailing views” regarding drug abuse, dependency, and addiction, seem to be that the “root-cause” rests with: (1.) drug users; (2.) drugs, drug-smugglers, dealers, and other sources; and (3.) neither the drug users or sources. Consequently, our long underway “War on Drugs” continues to entail “drug policy” subject to debate and change—with some favoring drug-criminalization and supply-sided focus, while others push for drug-legalization.

And after years of well-intentioned and ill-intentioned efforts, untold billions of taxpayer dollars, and unthinkable human tragedy, little seems to have really changed. A failure not unique to 21st century endeavors. For example, in A.D. 1650 timeframe, use of tobacco was reportedly prohibited in Bavaria, Saxony, and Zurich. A prohibition nevertheless “ineffective,” even given the Ottoman Empire’s decree of the death penalty for smoking tobacco. Yes, in spite of the horrors of beheading, hanging, quartering, or crushing hands and feet, the passion for smoking tobacco still persisted—as it does for countless millions world-wide yet to this day!

Could it be our “prevailing-views” about drug abuse, dependency, and addiction fall short of duly acknowledging the true root-cause of “demand” relative to both legal and illegal “addictive drugs.” Observing, for example, that it is “mind/mood-altering drugs”—and not “do-it-yourself root canal kits,” or “spare parts for pay telephone booths,” etc.,—that are being irresponsibly prescribed, smuggled through our borders, purchased, and abused.

Yes, given “less demand” for perpetual feel-good status and otherwise unnatural escape from life’s various uncomfortable challenges, etc., there just might be “less market” for substances that destroy the more truly sustaining and fulfilling aspects of one’s gift of life journey.

As many continue to ponder the likely futility in considering chemicals (pills/shots) and/or punitive (punishment) measures as ever being “effective solutions” to what could well be a “spiritual problem.”       —William James Moore 05/02/2022

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[The above also published as a Public Mind article in local newspaper, the Parsons Sun, Weekend edition, April 30 – May 1, 2022]