The United States and the rest of the world is currently fighting the war on drugs. This war entails persecuting dealers, corrupt officials, and persecuting anyone who buys a drug that is illegal or obtained illegally. We have had little to no effect on lowering the supply or demand of drugs on the black market, because of how large and established the black market has become. In order for us to get rid of all demand and all supply we would have to shift all if not most of our resources in fighting the war on drugs. However, Portugal has showed progress by legalizing all drugs and focusing all their efforts on helping addicts. Drug use is often associated with being people being un moral and unproductive to society. This could not be more wrong.
