Uh huh, and you know this because . . .?
The mere fact that we have less users means it's working.
How do you know how many users there are of any of the illegal drugs? Is there a list somewhere?
Unless you think that if we got rid of the DEA, legalized drugs, opened our borders to drug imports, drugs became cheaper and purer, and drug use would decrease, then you'd have to agree.
Purer? Is alcohol purer now than it was during prohibition?
I think you are confusing emotive responses with rational arguments.
Or, I could post graphs which show that drug use dropped 60% from its high point in 1979 and has remained relatively flat for the last 15 years.
Weren't drugs already illegal in 1979?
And again, how do you know drug use has dropped 60%? Because the DEA and DOJ said so?
Simple. If the numbers go up, DOJ/DEA need more money. IF the numbers go down that proves that the more money for the DOJ/DEA works. Until the numbers go up, in which case they'll need more money, until the numbers go down which proves the second budget increase worked. Rinse later repeat. The DOJ/DEA are surfing the numbers, at best. I don't know where people get there knowledge of human behavior, of bureaucratic behavior that they accept the numbers from the people supposedly doing the work?
Know? How can I, or anyone, know? I'm saying it's reasonable.
"How do you know how many users there are of any of the illegal drugs? Is there a list somewhere?"
There are surveys. Would you like a link?
"Purer? Is alcohol purer now than it was during prohibition?"
I don't know. Do you? Is it important to the discussion?
"I think you are confusing emotive responses with rational arguments."
Not at all. I'm asking you for your rational reponse. If we got rid of the DEA, legalized drugs, opened our borders to drug imports, if drugs became cheaper and purer, would you say drug use would increase or decrease? What seems reasonable to expect?
"Weren't drugs already illegal in 1979?"
Yes. Way before that, actually. But your question dealt with the War on Drugs, not when drugs became illegal.
The War on Drugs encompases more than illegality -- there were campaigns, programs, antidrug advertising, overseas drug intervention, boder patrols, etc. That started with Reagan.
"And again, how do you know drug use has dropped 60%? Because the DEA and DOJ said so?"
The numbers were from surveys by the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of HHS.