Farewell, War on Drugs

Joining its younger cousin the Global War on Terror in retirement, the War on Drugs is changing its name after years of use by presidential administrations seeking to combat the narcotics trade. According to President Obama's newly appointed drug czar, Gil Kerlikowske, the "war" imagery conveyed the impression of an attack on America's own citizens. "Regardless of how you try to explain to people it's a 'war on drugs' or a 'war on a product,' people see a war as a war on them," he said. "We're not at war with people in this country." The Obama administration has signaled that they will place a greater emphasize on rehabilitation and treatment for drug offenders than their predecessors in the White House.