November 25, 2011
War On Drugs Department
Preventing Auto Accidents the Way the DEA Prevents Drug Diversion
Over 40,000 Americans die every year in traffic accidents. This is a terrible tragedy. But I have a simple plan that will completely prevent all 40,000 of these deaths.
The key to my plan is to note that these 40,000 accidents are a result of 40,000 careless people driving cars. So all we have to do to eliminate these accidents is to make sure these 40,000 people aren't allowed to buy cars. Of course, the greedy auto makers insist on pushing their cars on everyone in the country, so some regulation will be required.
We need to impose strict production limits on U.S. auto manufacturing (and importing) to reduce the number of cars produced each year by just over 40,000, thus completely ensuring that irresponsible drivers are unable to obtain cars, which will completely eliminate all automobile deaths. This plan can't possibly fail.
What's that you say? You think my plan is completely stupid?
Well then, smartass, what does that mean for the DEA, which uses the exact same plan to prevent misuse of the prescription drug Adderall:
The DEA gets involved. It's an arm of the Justice Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration. Its job is to make sure, to the extent you can, that drugs don't get diverted into illicit use, drugs of abuse or potential abuse like amphetamines, the way these are.
And so it, every year, sets a ceiling on how much on the raw material, the active ingredient for a whole bunch of drugs, including these, can be made. So it's an overall aggregate amount of raw material that the DEA regulates.
Sigh, naturally, the people who were diverting the drugs before are simply continuing to do so now. On the other hand, the people who actually need Adderall for their health and sanity are having trouble finding enough of the drug. And naturally, the price of this now-scarce drug is rising, pricing some patients out of the market, and forcing them to do without any medication for their condition or switch to less effective drugs.
(Hat tip: Radley Balko)
3 Comments
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You hit the nail on the head! I am one of the many adults who have ADD, predominantly inattentive. The price of my prescription rose from $ 40-something 4 months ago to $328.00 last month. I have no idea what the price is now. Prescriptions can't be filled & those who are lucky enough to find it, can't afford it! I have had to change to a different drug, which is not as near affective. This has had a HUGE impact on my ability to function productively at work. Now you have to wonder, did the DEA really do this for public welfare? Because us good guys are the ones who are suffering.
Good analogy. Typically depressing news.
Thanks for the comments. The DEA's plan, as described here, is certainly idiotic and destructive. And even if it turns out the DEA's actual plan is somewhat more intelligent, it's still unethical to withhold drugs from people who need them because they're being abused by completely different people.