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

The drug war was declared around the time when drug use among educated people began to decline, indicating a political motive behind the war on drugs targeting minorities.

Fear of crime in the U.S. is manufactured by politicians, who debate over who can be tougher on crime rather than addressing it as a societal issue.

Imprisonment is not an effective intervention for addiction. After release, individuals face a significantly higher risk of dying from drug-related causes, indicating that incarceration does not address the underlying issues of addiction.

Crime in the United States is politically constructed and differs from other industrialized nations primarily due to gun violence, which is exacerbated by the country's gun culture.

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

We need to stop punishing people who use substances, as sending them to jail sends a confusing message about addiction being a health problem.