[Ratatoskr]

The 20-year War on Drugs has reduced monthly drug use from 26 million in 1979 to 14 million in 2000 (National Household Survey on Drug Abuse).

Either that, or the prospect of having a SWAT team come through your bedroom window at 3am has pursuaded people not to answer surveys accurately.

On balance, I think drug use is probably down---but at what cost, and with what benefit?

[steve-b]

On balance, I think drug use is probably down

Of course it's down, by a percentage that reflects the lower numbers in the age brackets that tend to use drugs.

[Ol' Sparky]

The main reason drug use is down is because of stricter punishment and stigmatization. Tougher punishment and stigmatization needs to continue. The excesses that violation the constitution need to stop.