May 13, 2009
Today the Wall Street Journal reports that the new U.S. "Drug Czar" wants to at least end the use of the "war on drugs" terminology in its policy statements. According to the article, people see it as a war on them and their freedom, rather than a war on a substance. Yay! Finally someone noticed. During my campaign for Utah Attorney General last year, the Ogden Standard Examiner newspaper labeled my view on this subject as "not in the mainstream". I retorted that it was my job to try and move the mainstream more towards reality. And it is beginning to look like I am not the lone voice on the subject. Those in power are beginning to realize that making a whole generation of young people into criminals is not good for the nation. Policy, we are told, will emphasize treatment, rather than law enforcement. And it is way past time! It is time to rise up and let your voice be heard! Let "them" know that you will no longer allow them to threaten your freedoms in a misguided attempt to save you from your own choices. You can see the article at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124225891527617397.html
And speaking of those who still want to fight the losing "war on drugs", our current Utah Attorney General has announced (by mistake, they say) that he is running for the U.S. Senate next year. I am working to field a strong Libertarian candidate who will continue to preach common sense in the face of all the misinformation given to us through the two "major" parties. Let's be heard in our opposition to the continued misguided policies. Treatment over jail? A good start. Maybe the next step will be to acknoledge that, just like those who drink alchohol, not all drug users need treatment; and that this should be an individual decision, not one forced upon them by the courts.