The War on Drugs Failed Because It Never Understood Why People Use Drugs

In a thought-provoking analysis, High Times delves into the fundamental flaw of the War on Drugs: its failure to acknowledge that pleasure, connection, and personal enhancement are primary motivators for drug use, not just trauma or pathology. The article argues that decades of punitive policy have ignored this human reality, leading to costly and ineffective enforcement. High Times presents a compelling case for a paradigm shift toward "pleasure management," highlighting grassroots harm-reduction strategies and economic evidence that show recognizing these motivations can save lives and public funds. Discover the full, radical argument for a more pragmatic and humane drug policy by reading the original piece on High Times.