The final results of yesterday's poll, the question, should the United
States be doing more to win the war on drugs? Twenty-five percent of
you said yes; 71 percent said no; 4 percent said maybe.

[snip]

DOBBS: This week, we are reporting on "The Forgotten War," the war
against drugs.

Secretary of State Colin Powell has recommended that the United States
resume its backing of anti-drug flights over Colombia. Reuters quotes
unnamed administration officials who say President Bush is likely to
approve the recommendation.

Those flights were halted two years ago after an aircraft carrying a
U.S. missionary was shot down in Peru. It had been mistaken for a drug
running plane.

Last night here, we reported on efforts to control the international
supply of drugs before they enter this country. Tonight, we report on
what's being done to stop drugs produced in this country as we
continue our series of special reports, "The Forgotten War."

Bill -- Bill Tucker has the report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL TUCKER, CNNfn CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The United States is
losing the war on drugs. Even if the country succeeded in cutting off
the flow of all illegal drugs from outside the country tomorrow, there
would still be a growing drug problem in America.

Marijuana use is rising. According to the latest statistics, more than
9 percent used marijuana at least once in 2001. That is up 8 percent
from a year earlier. Domestically grown marijuana sells for anywhere
from $1,000 to $4,000 per pound, according to the Drug Enforcement
Agency.

SCOTT BURNS, DFO OF NATL. DRUG CONTROL POLICY: This is not the
marijuana of 20 years ago. This is not 1 percent ditch weed. This is 8
to 15 percent THC-level marijuana with as high as 30 percent.

TUCKER: Mobile methamphetamine labs are producing a readily supply of
cheaply and easily made meth to meet a growing demand. Abuse of
narcotic prescription pain relievers also on the rise, with nearly 4
percent of the population admitting they have misused prescription
narcotic drugs.

The National Drug Intelligence Center estimates that 28.5 million
Americans used an illicit drug in 2001. The war is being waged and
lost. But few will admit it.

TIMOTHY LYNCH, CATO INSTITUTE: There is this political dynamic in
Washington, D.C. where no politician wants to get the blame for having
supported a policy that is not working. Unlike in the private sector
where if something is not working, a business firm will quickly go out
of business, in Washington, D.C., if something is not working, the
idea is to throw more money at the problem. And that's what we've seen
in Washington for the past 10 to 15 years.

TUCKER: The cost is staggering. The federal government spends $1
billion a month to fight the war on drugs, but users spend more, six
times more, almost $6 billion a month to buy drugs.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration puts the
cost to the economy and to lives at roughly $284 billion. But that's
just the financial side of the ledger.

DR. H. WESLEY CLARK, CTR. FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT: When you see
people give up careers because of drugs, when you see mothers abandon
their children because of drugs, when you see doctors and lawyers and
engineers walk away from their careers because of drugs, then that
gives you the -- shall we say, more up-close and personal story.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TUCKER: Which is why some argue that the focus of the war on drugs
should be targeted more on care and treatment if we are to make
meaningful progress in solving the national drug problem, Lou.

DOBBS: Now there seemed to be a lot of ideas and a lot of experts.
Meanwhile, we're losing the war and losing it badly. Bill Tucker,
thank you very much.

TUCKER: Thank you.

DOBBS: Tomorrow we continue the series of special reports on "The Forgotten
War." We report on the efforts to reduce the demand for drugs in this
country.
We'll be joined by former national drug control director, William Bennett.