“They died because China DIDN’T have a war on drugs.”
No. It’s because China was a feudal state with a population that was ripe for addiction. Of course dumping addictive substances on an illiterate starving population would wreak havoc. It was an act of war by the British.
Yes, they managed to reduce addiction but not using the WOD as we see it today:
Their initial violent drug war was NOT a success. As late as 1949, China still had 70 Million opiate addicts. They then recognized addicts as sick people that needed help and education. Not jail or beatings. Success was found in treating addicts and helping small dealers find other work. They only jailed/executed the rich drug kingpins (who lost all their power under Mao). By the mid 1950s, addiction was almost eliminated in China.
What we have in the USA is similar to the early failed WOD adopted by China. Harsh penalties for users and small dealers that do nothing but increase drug prices. AND no real penalties for cartels who have become so rich that they own the government! The WOD in the USA is a system for controlling and maximizing profits- it is NOT a system for keeping our citizens healthy.
It took a communist revolution for that disgusting system to collapse in China. Let’s hope we are smart enough to do it here without one!
If the population is human, then it is ripe for addiction.
Their initial violent drug war was NOT a success. As late as 1949, China still had 70 Million opiate addicts.
You are right. After 1949 Mao killed them. That's how China ended it's opium addiction problem.
Well, we know that works. The question is whether something short of that will work.