[citizenK]

I posted the full article because some of the Walters' statements at the end warrant comment and everyone should see his statements in context. (Not being from the WP or LA Times, the whole article can be posted - right?)

"Denial is part of the disease."

Walters co-opts the "drug abuse is a disease" argument. If he really believes this is the case, then we should see a whole host of new policies by the government meant to mitigate the effects of drug abuse on communities and families. Instead, we see the same old brutish tactics employed by drug enforcers, no-knock raids, property confiscation, and the incarceration of drug users. These are the same old policies that lead to an escalation of violence on the street, violence initiated and perpetrated by drug enforcement agents, and the empowerment of organized crime and criminal gangs.

What other diseases does the society deal with in such a draconian manner that pushes the limits of the Constitution?

I don't think Walters genuinely believes in what he is saying here, and I wonder why he applies the "disease" argument here. By labeling the problem as a disease, the problem of drugs focuses upon individual users and their behavior, not the drugs themselves. This is completely contrarian to the current modus operendi of the feds on this issue. Juxtapose his comments on the disease of drug addiction with the current policy to go after sick and dying people seeking the use of mj to relieve their symptoms. Is the government really worried that terminally ill people in hospice will require drug treatment?

Walters' statements outlined in this article reveal the cognitive dissonance underlying federal drug enforcement policies.

(BTW, I don't like the "drug abuse = disease" argument because in many instances it opens the door to the institutionalization of drug treatment, surely to be sponsored by the taxpayer. Drug treatment needs to be available for people who truly want it. The growing drug treatment industry, working hand-in-hand with the criminal justice system is a recipe for further social problems and corruption.)

[MrLeRoy]

"Denial is part of the disease." [...] I don't think Walters genuinely believes in what he is saying here, and I wonder why he applies the "disease" argument here.

It fits with the "all use is abuse" idea previously noted; anyone who is using drugs is abusing, and if they think otherwise they're simply in denial.

[philetus]

Drug abuse is not a disease. Addicts use because They like the way it makes them feel You will hear a billion excuses from them as to why they use, but the above is the true reason.