If drugs destroy lives and productivity, as we are told, and that is what concerns us, why not let them run their course? A person who decides to use drugs is not an innocent victim. They made the choices they did and should live with the consequences. We seem to completely forget the concept of freedom when it comes to drug use. Snowboarding is an example of something dangerous, but imagine the outrage that would be expressed if the government decided to ban it. Think about how easily you would dismiss claims about dangers. What if the government says snowboarding is too much fun and is ruining the country's productivity? You'd probably respond by saying something like "I have the right snowboard." If you're willing to accept the dangers, why should the government decide it's too dangerous for you? Comparing snowboarding to drug use isn't a direct comparison, but I can't think of a more fundamental right than deciding what to put in your own body. If you replace the prohibition in question with almost anything other than drugs, people immediately recognize the inherent flaw in this idea and the infringement on their freedom. The answer to dangerous substances is education about the dangers of their use and treatment for addicts, not incarceration. If people choose to accept these dangers, that is their choice and we should not punish them beyond the natural consequences that might follow. Barack Obama and George W. Bush have admitted to smoking marijuana during their lives. It didn't destroy their lives or their political careers, but if they had been arrested, it certainly would have. These future presidents were simply lucky not to be surrounded by paperwork...training, education, and drug treatment programs. Credits would be earned for participation in these programs and would contribute to early release. While these actions are not the answer to our country's drug crisis, they are certainly a good place to start. There is no easy solution to drug liberalization in the United States, but we can look at our past mistakes and try to move forward. Clearly, Prohibition and the War on Drugs have done absolutely nothing to help. Instead, it has cost our country billions of dollars and given rise to extremely violent and powerful gangs. We are beginning to realize the irrationality of current drug laws and are seeking change. It's unclear what form the changes will take, but any policy move that saves money, cleans up our prisons, and improves the well-being of our citizens is a step in the right direction...