DRUGS MADE ILLEGAL FOR THE WRONG REASONS

I imagine anyone reading this letter could fashion a lengthy list of
drugs which are illegal in the United States. Maybe half of you could
even describe in detail the (correct) effects and dangers of each drug
on your list. However, I am doubtful that more than a handful of
readers ever bothered to ask how or why these drugs became illegal --
at least any further than "because drugs are bad."

So let's learn a little about drug history. In the thousands of years
of our existence, drugs have been used by the human race -- from as
far back as the first time a Caveman discovered that sex with Mrs.
Caveman resulted in pleasurable feelings (releasing endorphins).
Previously used for remedies, recreation, or spiritual journeys, it is
only in the last century, and really the last 35 years have drugs ever
been sold to the public as dangerously immoral.

The legality of the three most famous drugs: marijuana, cocaine and
heroin all have roots in ignorance and racism rather than scientific
fact or research. After the depression ended, the large Mexican
workforce that helped rebuild our country was no longer needed. As a
result, marijuana was criminalized and used as an excuse to deport
this "surplus population."

Meanwhile, cocaine was touted as a "miracle drug" and prescribed by
such prominent figures as Sigmund Freud as a cure to everything from
asthma to headaches. It later become demonized during the racial
tensions of the time -- some claiming that it drove African-Americans
into a violent frenzy, much like Robert De Niro in "Scarface." Police
officers of the time even requested higher-caliber bullets.

Heroin and its cousin morphine were similarly touted as a "miracle
drug" used to cure alcoholism, even knowing its addictive nature. It
was rationalized that while a morphine user would quietly harm
himself, he would not harm others via domestic violence or bar fights,
as would alcoholics. In Chinatown, opium was eventually barred (only
to Orientals) because it was feared that Orientals were using it to
seduce white women.

While these drugs were criminalized and used as tools of racism and
prejudice, they were not made illegal until one of the most infamous
and corrupt presidents of recent memory, Richard Nixon, launched the
war on drugs in 1972 which made these and many other drugs both
illegal and immoral. While the danger of overdose due to uncontrolled
dosage or potency of illegal drugs is a clear danger, more important
dangers exist.

When a drug is scheduled (made illegal) by the government, all
scientific research on the drug is prohibited. This cements the extent
of long-term consequence in the realm of speculation and propaganda.
Even worse, it eliminates the choice of an individual to remove
themself as a productive member of society. In modern times, we have
no choice. If you wish to use drugs you are forced into a life of
criminal activity, complete with jail sentences and social
persecution.

It is no coincidence that a noticeable decline in humanity -- the
sense of goodwill and connection to others -- has occurred in the last
few decades. We live in a society in which the question is not whether
you are guilty, but rather "how guilty." Moreover, we live in a
society which feeds us moral values and social norms that we don't
even bother to question.

John Mills, senior, electrical engineering