A deadly spiral is set up, making it more and more difficult for the addict to quit. Continued drug abuse becomes increasingly a matter of brain damage and less a matter of weak character. Besides the physical effects of the chemical and addiction, substance abuse can also lead to long term brain damage. The many Americans that live with the harsh problems due to substance abuse do not have to. The process of creating more effective rehabilitation and prevention techniques includes legalization of all drugs.
Experts consider substance addiction a disease.
The government should stop fighting the criminal aspects of the drug war and start fighting the real problem of drugs by redirecting their funds towards addiction recovery. Drug prevention efforts in effect now have failed miserably. By age 18 fifty-five percent of students have tried an illegal drug at some point in life. In fact drug use among teens has increased since 1992. Other projects that actually work can be exploited if the government changes its angle on fighting the drug war.