Is this 'War on Drugs' a lost cause? A total drain on the economy, where it could be a great source of income?

I have just heard a very disturbing piece of information.
Tim Russert was interviewing Joseph Califano on his newly published book 'High Society' and the following snippet of info was mentioned:
Although the US population comprises only 4% of world population, Americans account for 66% of illegal drug use worldwide. And the percentage is rising.
So, in my opinion, the 'War on Drugs' should be aimed primarily at US citizens, but is 'fought' in places like Colombia, Afghanistan, etc. If there is no demand, supply will dry up.
But, as I mentioned above, demand in the US is rising, and will continue to do so.

No wonder dealers and producers are killing each other and innocent people in places like Colombia in order to feed the monster. Drug cartel wars in Mexico. All making millions, if not billions annually.
Isn't it time to look at 'Legalisation, Education, Regulation and Taxation'?

The first three answers:
Holy God! The death penalty for smoking marijuana? Do you want to execute half of America?

Well! And a good morning to you, Mr. VanWinkle! (and I was beginning to think all that research/printed material was a waste! Turns out someone WAS listening, after all! Whadda ya know.) Okay. Thanks for your patience, I just really needed to get that out of my system. Now, as I have been saying: YES! The enormous jump in American illicit drug consumption is directly attributable to the govenment announcing "THE WAR ON DRUGS". Ta-Da! Because it worked sooo well with prohibition, do you think? Some drugs are killers, and should be banned. (Dealers/purveyors of all kinds (excepting legally sanctioned, medicinal fully accredited scientifically produced/processed drug companies-I have NO desire to see cancer patients, et al, suffer!- should be shot!) However, some drugs designated "illegal" by the government are not, and should not be subject to felony charges! Frankly, I think if it's MY money, and I am breaking no (other) laws, and I am of the legal age of consent, how I choose to spend my money is no one's business but mine! If the government was as smart as they think they are, they would -for instance- legalize marajuana, slap a "sin tax" on it, as they do cigarettes & achohol, and retire the national debt by Thursday! Does ANYone know ANYone who is not a stoner because it is not legal? Nope. If a person wishes to use marajuana, he/she IS using marajuana! (I am not able to get high using it, therefore I am not a stoner, but it's certainly not because of any "moral" or political position!) Let's deal with our own personal preferences, and the government should stick to it's mandate. The constitution does not provide for protecting it's (adult) citizens from themselves; I've checked. Thank you so much for your question, and your apparent position on the "issue". I used to think that the I.R.S. was the government agency most in need of scruitny by the citizens, but some time ago I changed to the D.E.A.! That is the single-most useless, bogus group of ... we have! The Coulmbians/Jamacians/Whoever shoot back, so they stopped trying to deal with them, and now they look over your Doctor's shoulder! The doctor keeps nice, neat records, and they second-guess prescription practices! The doc went to school for 12 years to learn what he/she is doing, and NOW any semi-literate DEA type can second-guess! The medical profession is so afraid of the !#$*! DEA that people in severe need of medical help can barely get a script for aspirin! Gaagh! "It sends the wrong message" -You bet it does!

The only way to reduce demand is to kill all the crackheads.

There's no reason the US govt can't impose a death penalty for distribution of crack, or heorin, or pot.

It will be possible if government has the guts to put "Death Penality again users and sellers" on the table.

Then again, such action will only bring human-right groups will cry like babies.

it is time to use the death penalty on the murderers selling drugs

Wow! sounds as if you are supporting drugs. I don't know where you get your info, but where do these drugs come from? Indians of South America used cocaine long before the world ever heard of Christopher Columbus. Poppies? Yeah, they are all the rage in Turkey, Afghanistan and other middle easter countries. How about China?
If you want to control the drug situation, you and your friends quit using them!
Also, America was founded on illegal activities; it's in our culture.
This is the problem with the Supreme Court taking religion out of schools (illegally, I might add).
Any one who believes in Christianity, Muslimism, Buddish, Confuciousism, Taoism, Judaism, would not do drugs.

the drug war is utter b.s.
if someone wants to do drugs and damage their bodies..it is their perogitive.
i will say if it impacts others lives or safety then they should be held accountable.
imho,it is also mostly a cash cow for the crimminal justice system.think of all the judges,clerks,cops,lawyers,jailors,rehap... builders,ad nauseam that owe their livelyhood to our little war on drugs.
the jails are packed to the gills,with alot of non violent drug offenders and that just keeps the beast fed,meanwhile violent felons are released cause there is no room for them and the mandatory sentences on drug offenders keeps them in.
the legal system destroys far more lives and families in this so called war,then the drugs themselves do.
i know many recreational drug user's,i even dabble from time to time...non of them or me are violent at all...but if caught we go to jail and lose our jobs and this may actually increase crime...once convicted your screwed and good luck finding a decent job..it's all bullshit!

I agree... I believe that *all* drugs should be made legal. With a couple of limits.
1. *Anything* a user of drugs does is his responsibility. No "free pass" because of his addiction
2. *ALL* controlled drugs would be under the direct control of the government. With *all* taxes (profits) to be in a special fund to pay for the rehab of any user that wishes to "kick the habit"
3. The price of drugs would be such as to discourage any kind of black market. (don't gouge the user like is presently done with tobacco and to a certain extent alcohol.)