the non-medical use of drugs today is an example of how society, supported by the medical profession, constructs ‘problems’ and invents ‘diseases’ for which they then find ‘treatments’. Some pharmacological substances, for example alcohol and tobacco, are major causes of death, yet are permitted to be sold and even advertised, and are a major source of government revenue. Others are regarded as ‘ethical’, and require a doctor's prescription. Some of the less harmful drugs, for example cannabis and heroin, are made dangerous by myth, politics, illegality, and other social factors. Governments and doctors capitalize on collective fantasies. They publicize the drugs in a way to induce horror and fear. This policy costs governments and nations dearly, but it provides other political benefits, including to the medical profession. The dangers of these substances are both created and emphasized with zeal rather than evidence. Such evidence as exists is liable to be concocted and financed in order to exaggerate their dangers.

Illegal drugs are the subject of a ‘phoney war’, waged by governments for their own purposes that certainly have nothing to do with the ‘dangers’ of these substances. Governments who capitalize on public shock-horror have a splendid means of diverting public attention and anger from real issues and for interfering in the affairs of other nations, even to the extent of sending spies and troops.