HOW TO DEAL WITH DRUG WARS

Drug use and drug wars are a reality; this highly illustrated work outlines the problem and its possible solutions.

Hunter devotes most of this book to explaining the nature and origins of drug wars and the consequences of such wars on individuals and society. The final two chapters outline potential solutions. Beginning with then-President Richard Nixon’s 1971 declaration of war, the author discusses the physical, mental, and socioeconomic, costs of drugs and of drug wars. Descriptions of the international and industrial scale of the problem and the involvement of quasi-military gangs and militias appear before a two-page spread asking readers to ponder opposing viewpoints about whether the drug supply can realistically be stopped. Hunter examines anti-drug laws before providing another debate page on treatment vs. punishment as approaches to addiction. Other debate pages pose questions like “Is drug violence more damaging than drugs?” and “Do drug wars increase racial inequality?” The text boxes labeled “What Do You Think?” that follow each debate invite readers to engage with the topics, but Hunter largely avoids citing statistics or studies that would bolster the arguments. This absence risks simply allowing readers to confirm their existing beliefs without weighing complicated evidence. Still, the simple, straightforward prose and scrupulously neutral presentation of opposing viewpoints make this a useful introductory resource.

A clearly written account of an ongoing crisis that has a broad impact on society.