The Impact of U.S. Policy
The United States has been fi ghting the war on drugs for decades, across the nation and throughout the hemisphere. Police offi cers, prosecutors, doctors, social workers, soldiers, counselors and countless others have invested their energy and expertise—and have even risked their lives—to combat drug traffi cking and drug abuse. Their efforts are impressive and appreciated.
Twenty-fi ve years and 25 billion dollars later, however, we are no closer to solving the problem—that is, to reducing drug abuse and availability in the United States. In fact, we seem to be farther away than ever.