TAXONOMY AS POLITICS

In: Dissent: a journal devoted to radical ideas and the values of socialism and democracy, S. 73-78

Abstract

THE UNITED STATES' CURRENT DRUG CRISIS IS A TRAGEDY BORN OF A PHONY TAXONOMY. FOR REASONS THAT ARE LITTLE MORE THAN ACCIDENTS OF HISTORY, A CATEGORY OF NON-FOOD SUBSTANCES HAS BEEN DIVIDED INTO ILLICIT DRUGS, SUCH AS COCAINE, OR INTO ITEMS THAT CAN EASILY BE PURCHASED FOR SUPPOSED PLEASURE, SUCH AS ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO. HOW CAN WE POSSIBLY DEFEND THE CURRENT POLICY BASED ON AN ABSURD DICHOTOMY THAT ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO VIEW ONE CLASS OF SUBSTANCES WITH ULTIMATE HORROR AS PREEMINENT SCOURGES OF LIFE WHILE THE TWO MOST DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES, ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO, ARE ADVERTISED ON VIRTUALLY EVERY STREET CORNER IN URBAN AMERICA?