Policy and laws see drugs as evil and their users as depraved and declare a war on the importation, production, possession, and use of many substances, including heroin, opium, morphine, cocaine, and marijuana. This war on drugs is costly and futile. It has distorted public perspectives relative to more pressing social problems and has had corrupting effects on Third World producers. In addition, the hypocritical policy of outlawing some drugs while permitting others such as nicotine and alcohol sends mixed signals to youth. Passing more repressive laws and spending more on law enforcement and corrections will not solve the problem. Behavior cannot be changed just by legislation. Society must learn to live with a health problem called drug abuse. Massive educational programs, directed primarily at young people are needed. Laws should be changed so that presently illicit drugs are produced by pharmaceutical companies and are available to all adults without prescription. Production standards should be developed and prices controlled. Such a policy is unlikely to increase drug use because many of the incentives for use and sale will be gone. Crime syndicates would no longer profit from sales, and savings in law enforcement costs could go toward drug education and treatment programs. 14 footnotes.