For over 20 years we have been fighting this war... can we win... how do we win?

For over 20 years we have been fighting the war on drugs and there are no less drugs than before, crime hasn't decreased, voilence hasn't decreased, etc...
When will it be time to examine our tactics against our citizens and form a conclusive strategy to end the war?
We have been dropping the hammer on these criminals for over 20 years and we are no closer to resolution... Isn't it time we switched tools?
We have reverted to no-knock warrants, paramilitary units, and using K-9 against our citizens. How can we possibly win and what would be the next logical step toward finalizing this war?
Answers:
You can not declare or fight a war on inanimate objects. The war on terror is another prime example in that you can not defeat a tactic. The only way to achieve victory in the 'war on drugs' is if you managed to destroy every trace of every drug and the chemicals associated with them. Yeah, that's impossible. Drugs have been used ever since the Roman Empire, and even before that. It's here to stay and the only measures to be taken against it is to pass legislation to punish those to make, sell, and use the drugs, but that only takes care of the end result.

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First...you're using an antiquated phrase! It's no longer a "war" but a "cancer on society."
Tactics have been changed yet take years to see results. I've been a firm believer that you can't just go after the dealers...but the users as well. Additionally, the children must be educated thoroughly enough to have a FULL understanding of what drugs do to their own bodies as well as what they do to families, neighborhoods, and society.
The problem isn't as easy to deal with as some think. You have to consider our society as a whole.
Our educational system lacks compared to other countries. You have some who decide that education isn't "cool" and drop out. Selling drugs is a fast road to quick untaxed cash.
Peer pressure stating "it's cool to do %26lt;drugs%26gt;" makes it difficult for some who don't have the ability and conviction to decline.
Those who do try drugs...often times become so quickly addicted there's no stopping.
I don't care what anybody says about marijuana or any other drug...or what they do to their own body is their own business because it IS societies "business."
When addicts victimize innocent people to support their own habits.it becomes my business!
One can see the frustration when it comes to illegal drugs but when you have uneducated people promoting the legal use of drugs without having a full understanding of the ramifications involved.you have a continuing problem!
Just my humble opinion.