Despite the flurry of government activity and the expenditure of billions of taxpayer dollars to reduce the use of illegal drugs, their use in the U.S. has not been significantly mitigated. I am convinced that our approach focuses far too much on trying to stem the supply of illegal drugs and far too little on treatment and rehabilitation.
I also am concerned about how our government has conducted its international War on Drugs. Of particular concern are our government's efforts in Colombia and other nations to use military aid to try to shut down the supply of drugs. Many times this military aid ends up being misused by corrupt individuals and groups to terrorize those participating in trade unions, farm collectives and political opposition, rather than to fight drug traffickers.