Today, we are reaping the fruit of 60 years under prohibition: criminal
empires rivaling the power of their countries; armies of police and special
agents costing $50 billion to $100 billion per year; millions of Americans
incarcerated for nonviolent crimes; a generation of cynical teenagers who
drink and smoke more pot than ever before.

In the midst of the stupendous failure of the drug war, a miracle has
occurred: Some 35 million Americans have quit cigarettes, acknowledged as
one of the most addictive substances known to man. How in the world could
this have happened without laws prohibiting the possession and sale of
nicotine? Could it be that we are capable of helping ourselves and
"choosing life," without the threat of fines and incarceration?

We cannot continue to expect laws and law enforcement to solve all our
problems. They merely exacerbate the reasons people use drugs in the first
place. We need to place more responsibility upon ourselves, and our
children, along with compassion and above all, communication. We need to
put down fear and hysteria and accept that some people will have to learn
their own lessons. Out of this may come a safer, saner, happier world,
drugs and all.

Randall Vlahos, 44