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However, the true toll extends beyond economic and legal costs. Human lives have been lost, and communities have been fractured, largely due to the suppression of crucial safety information. As drug overdose deaths now surpass fatalities from motor vehicle crashes, the urgent need to reevaluate this approach becomes evident.
The Disconnect: Misinformation and Its Dangers
A significant barrier to safer drug use stems from the war's focus on abstinence rather than harm reduction. The propaganda machine has often painted drugs in a black-and-white narrative—accepting little to no nuance or scientific evidence. Iconic ads depicting substances like marijuana as 'roots in hell' contributed to deep-seated stigmas and misinformation.