and add to your statements the fact that before these items were made illegal in the 1920's ( yes, 1920's ) they were ALL available over the counter, cocaine, heroin, opium, etc. The country was not overrun with addicts. People bought the stuff and made their own medicines with it. The government created the problem, and the government can end the problem. All they have to do is stay the hell out of my life.......
The government created the problem,
Yes. One example is Harry Anslinger's propaganda campaign to outlaw marijuana. Another is the defense department's introduction of LSD to Americans. They conducted several mind control tests using LSD. The US government opened Pandora's box. And of course there's the WOD which is the problem much worse than the drug problem.
Overrun? No. But it was about .5% of the population, higher than today.
"People bought the stuff and made their own medicines with it."
And became addicted. Many didn't know what they were buying or what was contained in these elixers. Manufacturers like Coca-Cola didn't realized how addicting their beverages were.
"The government created the problem"
No, the government ended the problem. More correctly, they reduced the size and scope of the problem by about 90%.