[Ken H]

And I don't want to get into a tirade about legalizing drugs with you...the whole notion is useless from this small l libertarian unless you eliminate health care entitlements, government regulations on health care, have a society where people actually bare the full responsibility for their choices...all things which IMHO...are not going to happen anytime soon.

The current WOD began in 1989 with the creation of a cabinet level drug czar. Since then overall drug use has been flat to slightly up according to government surveys. This was after falling steadily from midway through Carter's term in 1979 through 1989.

On the supply side, drugs are cheaper, purer, and readily available to anyone who wants them.

Is it fair to say the WOD has failed to curb both supply and demand?

[robertpaulsen]

"The current WOD began in 1989 ..."

I disagree.

The War on Drugs started with the passage of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Furthermore, Nixon is credited with declaring a War on Drugs:

" At a press conference (June 17, 1971) Nixon names drug abuse as "public enemy number one in the United States." He announces the creation of the Special Action Office for Drug Abuse Prevention (SAODAP), to be headed by Dr. Jerome Jaffe, a leading methadone treatment specialist."

The DEA was started up under Nixon in 1973.

Carter considered decriminalizing at the national level -- drug use rose. Reagan started the "Just Say No" campaign. Drug use fell.