I see and hear many people claim to support "freedom." This is no great surprise, of course. Singing sweet praises about the value of personal autonomy seems virtuous to an observer and reinforces the reputation of the speaker. Religious freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of choice, freedom to be one's own protector, and numerous other things are gathered within the camp of liberty but a very basic right is often ignored even by those who claim to bare freedom's banner. The right to govern one's own body and mind is cast down and trampled by those who should be its allies. The drug war is the tyrant emperor who lays claim to the bodies of the populous and attempts to colonize the minds of the people. For one who truly supports freedom there is no question; the drug war must be opposed.
Freedom and liberty includes things that we don't like and this is how it should be. I see a depressing and dangerous trend from people on all points of the political spectrum. These individuals and groups claim that people can not be allowed to have certain freedoms because exercising them is somehow immoral. Some claim that gay marriage should not be allowed because it will "destroy the concept of the family" even though it affects no one but the two who are getting married. Others say offensive speech should be banned even though such speech only serves to diminish the credibility and respectability of the speaker. Drug use is outlawed even though only the user feels the effects. One who is consistent in his or her support of liberty should view these things and everything else that solely effects the consenting individual as permissible. I have no love for a person who spews hate and ignorance and I will shine a cleansing light on their sophistry with my words but I also stand by their right to be an unforgivable asshole so long as they do not psychically harm another person. Who marries whom is of no concern of mine and I don't care which substances one chooses to put in his or her body. If you truly believe that a freer society is a better society you must place the value of liberty higher than that of your own feelings.
If one is not free to control his or her own body and mind, then he or she is not free. When a government or system of control says that one can not use a drug or alter his or her mind the implication that the authority is entitled to make this decision for the person. In short, the individual is viewed as property of the state. Now follow this train of thought a little further. If we are property, we have no rights, no freedom, and no autonomy. I, for one, did not consent to be a slave to the system nor do I believe that living in a society requires that consent. We can live freely but we must reject all violations of liberty including those associated with the drug war.
Peace.
Unless otherwise credited, all the images in this post were sourced from the free image website unsplash.com.