Mises Daily: Randall G. Holcombe: The War on Drugs is Not Like The War on Poverty

Source:The New Democrat

Randall Holcombe makes somewhat of an obvious, but important point that the War on Poverty is not a real war because it doesn't involve two sides fighting each other to determine some outcome. And I say obvious not to put Richard Holcombe down or anything, but the opposite actually because not a lot of Americans actually understand that. War is a very common term in America especially in Washington where wars are either started or where America gets involved in them. And is sorta of a Washington hip way of trying to tackle problems. By saying "we are going to war against this or that!"

I'm still not buying that the War on Drugs is a real war. Sure America's involvement in the War on Drugs involves using some military force against foreign drug dealers and organizations. But generally speaking is is fought against Americans who use illegal narcotics for their own personal reasons. And against Americans who sell illegal narcotics against Americans who want those drugs. What the War on Drugs really is, is an effort against people for what they do to themselves and against people who sell drugs that are illegal that others want.

The War on Drugs is a war on personal freedom and choice. Drugs addicts have no business being victims of the war as far as what government does to them. But given an escape out of the war by getting them the help that they need at their expense to get off of those drugs and be able to move on with their lives in a productive way. And instead target those who would further the addictions of those drug addicts and put them out of business.