Editor's Note: This letter is in response to Join Together's recent feature, U.S. Mayors Declare Drug War a Failure.

It is not surprising that the DPA [Drug Policy Alliance] could manipulate the Mayors of America. Most Mayors do not understand the root causes of the problem of addiction, they just bear the burden from our collective failure to protect young people.

And, they don’t understand that the DPA, who openly oppose non-punitive random drug testing, the best tool we have to prevent young people from becoming addicted, actually contribute to the disease of addiction by not preventing it. 

Having lived with two stepchildren who are meth addicts for over 25 years, I can affirm that there are light years difference between prevention and treatment. The road back for an addict is utter hell, and most of them don’t make it. In the journey to recovery, they continue to inflict pain on their families, create over 80% of the crime in America, fill our hospitals, welfare roles, mental health facilities and morgues.  

We know that almost all addiction starts with kids, aged 11 to 17; and that if we get them to adulthood prior to first significant use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs, they should never have a problem. If the Mayors of America really want to serve their constituents, and do this nation a service, they should fully support ONDCP in their effort to prevent the disease of addiction by encouraging all schools to implement non-punitive random drug testing for all students.  

If the drug war is a failure, it is because we as a nation have not mustered the courage and wisdom to do what works to prevent the disease. That is a travesty when we know what works. 

Two of the most important responsibilities of elected officials at all levels are to protect people and manage our tax dollars intelligently. Currently neither is being done. Drugs kill an estimated 2800 Americans weekly (3000 a month just from overdose) and cost the nation over $200 billion per annum.  Iraq pales in comparison. 

If our Mayors really want a constructive change in policy, then they should ask the President to mandate non-punitive random drug testing for all young people. Short of that, they should do that in their own communities.

Roger D. Morgan
Californians for Drug-Free Schools
Bonita, CA