The discussion notes that in various countries in the past, unsuccessful regulatory and punitive measures have been directed against alcohol, cigarettes, and coffee. Drugs are not more dangerous than these substances, but they are a useful enemy in a "war" situation. They can be used to explain poverty, school dropouts, and other indicators of human misery. They also unite the public and politicians and provide a rationale for increased law enforcement and reduced attention to civil liberties. Nevertheless, the drug problem is declining in its suitability as the main public enemy and will be replaced by AIDS as the focus of concern. This will occur because no social system seems to be able to accommodate more than one panic at a time, and nothing can compete with AIDS in danger and suitability as an enemy. In addition, the costs of drug control will become visible and therefore unacceptable, and drugs will be handled as an economic commodity that is regulated in the same way as similar commodities are.