Numerous addictive patterns of behavior are manifest in American society. The materialistic culture emphasizes consumption, acquisition, immediate self-gratification, competition, and control of others. Many of these characteristics resemble the traits of drug addicts, and such traits are evident in national drug policies. Drug addicts often find it too painful to accept responsibility for their own conduct, and the addictive personality is plagued by an urgent need to control. The U.S. focus on the supply side has resulted in total disregard for the sovereignty of other countries and a greater emphasis on efforts to reduce cocaine production in source countries. The United States also tends to disregard the integrity of other countries' legal systems and does not consider their economic and political concerns. A military response to the drug crisis is an extreme example of the U.S. attempt to resolve internal problems by controlling and dominating others. A review of U.S. drug policies over the past decade indicates a strategy characterized by an overriding focus on criminal sanctions, a willingness to restrict individual rights, self-righteousness about the best way to deal with the problem, and ambiguity in implementing appropriate policies. It appears that efforts involving a broader range of nations are likely to be more successful than unilateral or even bilateral drug control efforts. 76 footnotes