[ConservingFreedom]

The DEA says, "In 1880 [...] there were over 400,000 opium addicts in the U.S. [...] By 1900, about one American in 200 was either a cocaine or opium addict." (http://web.archive.org/web/20110529221013/http://www.justice.gov/dea/demand/speakout/06so.htm) 400,000 in a population of 50M is one in 125 - ergo, between 1880 and 1900 addiction declined. Nonetheless, in textbook Drug Warrior fashion, they claim, " Addiction skyrocketed." Hilarious!

This is exactly what I mean when I say it is a waste of time to look at any of your links. They are always a deliberate effort to mislead.

I agree that the DEA deliberately strives to mislead. (Good thing for the cause of freedom that they're so bad at it.)

No, they made a mistake when they wrote that,

What "mistake"? Giving the actual data rather than just their self-serving misconclusion?

it is *YOU* who are deliberately striving to mislead.

By quoting the DEA?

[Ken H]

Well look at this. Here's another figure that is in line with those DEA estimates =>

The Institute of Medicine estimated that by 1900, perhaps 300,000 Americans were addicted to opiates.

http://www.drugabuse.gov/international/question-2-what-history-opioid-addiction-in-united-states

Now, 300,000 addicts in 1900 is less than the 400,000 in 1880. So according to the heroes in charge of Fighting Drugs, addiction was declining by 1900.