Drugs

 The drug problem in America seems intractable. We put incredible time, effort and money into dealing with cartels, violence, drug dealing, overdoses, drug rehab, drug addiction and every other aspect of the drug problem.

Still, we must recognize that all these problems begin when the individual makes the choice to use drugs. In a world where there is so much information about the destructiveness of drug use, why does anyone make the choice to start? Is there as much effort put into answering this question as there is in dealing with all the consequences that stem from this choice.

If so much drug use grows out of our society, how is society culpable? We are a society in which the family is failing, government is failing, religion is failing and mental health care is failing.

In the end, the individual who chooses to use drugs must take responsibility. But society must recognize its own responsibility and put its problem solving efforts in the right places.