In the 1980s, substance use declined among educated people while remaining steady or increasing among poorer populations, highlighting a class divide in drug use.

The criminalization of drug use serves as a tool for social control, targeting marginalized populations while instilling fear in the broader society.

The U.S. has seen a dramatic increase in incarceration rates since the 1980s, largely due to the war on drugs and harsh sentencing for victimless crimes.

The drug problem is fundamentally a US issue, as the country is a major producer of synthetic drugs, and the financial flows from drug trafficking largely go through US banks. Additionally, the criminalization of marijuana lacks substantial medical evidence to justify it, and the American Medical Association has never supported its criminalization.

The prohibition of psychedelics in the 1970s was largely a political move to suppress social movements, and the stigma surrounding them continues to hinder their acceptance despite their potential for positive change.

Legalizing all drugs could lead to many addicts who wouldn't have been addicts otherwise, and it raises concerns about people's ability to handle them.

The anticipation of drug use creates a mini spike in dopamine, which is followed by a deficit state that drives the motivation to seek the drug.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated addiction issues, leading to increased rates of alcohol and drug use and related deaths.

The U.S. supports military actions in Colombia while simultaneously driving local populations towards drug production, creating a cycle of violence and repression.