When Chris Christie, the Governor of the state of New Jersey, says the Great American Drug War is toast, he is not to be taken lightly.  He is arguably the most conservative Republican on the American scene.  He is not to be taken lightly...

http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/310104/drug-war-recedes-rich-lowry

There is no simple, uncluttered answer to the drug problem that is destabilizing much of the Western Hemisphere.  Arguments for both prohibition and legalization are put forth.  No definite conclusions can be drawn.

But the fact remains that Mexico, because of the violence and corruption that exists there, has almost joined the list of failed states.  Countries in Central America are also being heavily destabilized by gangs involved in the marketing and transshipment of drugs from South America.

I wish there was a simple answer.  Many Americans look for simple answers to highly complex questions.  They do not exist.

One devastating thing that has occurred in the US because of the War On Drugs is the militarization of most police forces. Almost all have SWAT teams, many jurisdictions have their own aircraft, and some even have purchased armored vehicles. I don't know anyone who really trusts the cops anymore.

So many clumsy mistakes have been made by various local police forces in their zeal to capture a drug dealer, often resulting in the deaths of innocent people, that it is barely mentioned in the popular press any longer.  These outrages are the direct result of the erroneous concept that morality can be legislated in a free society.  We have lost many of our heretofore normally accepted freedoms because of arbitrary police actions.  Two people were killed by police in Florida this past week because the cops had the wrong house and forced their way inside, killing innocent, uninvolved homeowners who mistakenly thought they were victims of home invasion robberies.  And, of course, the cops scurry around seeking alibis and attempt to avoid responsibility for their crimes.

So really?  Who can trust the cops anymore?

It's just another sign of the times.