MYTHIC SYMBOLS OF GOOD AND EVIL

Religious and mythological symbols of good and evil are very useful in
demonizing prohibited or targeted drugs. Drugs (declared illegal by
politicians) are said to be as the forbidden fruit in the Garden of
Eden. Thus, declare police and prosecutor, "illegal" drugs are sinful to
use. It is therefore the duty of government, declare unselfish government
officials and authorities, to cast out the hated drug user from the garden
of society (or rather, to jail and enslave the drug user for profit). As
Adam and Eve were beguiled by the devil, so (asserts a government deeply
respecting an establishment of religion), have drug users been demonically
beguiled and possessed.

Like Prometheus, drug 'dealers and users' distribute fiery, powerful,
forbidden substances to Man. Like Zeus, government officials and
authorities boom out in Olympian tones that only government gods may
distribute drugs. Like Prometheus, drug users must be eternally chained
and punished for their sins against authority. Like Pandora, drug users
are a scourge to mankind. In their ignorance and depravity, users of
forbidden substances open a Pandora's Box, loosing swarms of evil plagues
upon the people.

Drug users are variously described as fallen, demons, fiends, vampires,
heartbreaking little imps, miserable craven slaves, no better than animals.

"Nobody plans to become a addict . . . It's time we stop telling ourselves
lies and get away from all uses of drugs. When we were little kids we
enjoyed life without any chemical aids," as one writer put it. "Adam and
Eve were told not to eat a certain fruit, because everything in the garden
was not for their use; the same applies to us. [1]

"Drugs Put These Hearts In Chains," a headline lamented. Drugs were said to
turn good children into imps. "When drugs rule, they ruin lives by burning
out the core of those involved, rendering an empty shell, turning bright
eyes into sneaky eyes and smiles into smirks. Drugs trample love in trade
for money and crush those hearts that care."[2]

"There are still people out there who make money off of people's misery and
death. And they're out there poisoning our children and families," another
prosecutor explained. [3]

"Drug dealers are bloodsuckers who prey on the vulnerability of others, so
now we're going to take their blood money off them," a police official
revealed. [4]

One U.S. government official crowed about the results of pressure applied
to the Afghani government. "He was told by farmers that 'the Taliban used a
system of consensus-building.' They framed the ban 'in very religious
terms,' citing Islamic prohibitions against drugs, and that made it hard to
defy, he added. Those who defied the edict were threatened with prison." [5]

Adults must always be imprisoned for smoking marijuana. Otherwise, say drug
warriors, flaming sword in hand, the fallen shall be condemned to living
the degraded lives of beasts. "Once this 'gateway drug' to stronger drugs
is opened, those depend(ent) on drugs, will behave no better than animals,
selling themselves and their families, and becoming slaves to the master
who controls the drugs." [6]

[1] Jimmie Smith, "Some Things Just Not For Us", Frederick News Post, Mar.
12, 2001

[2] Tom Dunlap, "Drugs Put These Hearts In Chains", Redding Record
Searchlight, Feb. 11, 2001

[3] Chaka Ferguson, "Drug Raids Net More Than 50 Arrests", Albuquerque
Journal, Feb. 7, 2001

[4] South Western Times, "Police Take Assets In First Use Of New", Feb. 15,
2001

[5] Barbara Crossette, "Afghanistan: Taliban's Ban On Growing Opium Poppies
Is Called", New York Times, May. 20, 2001

[6] Jean Foo, "Opium Dens A Warning", Vancouver Sun, Jun. 5, 2001