What price peace?
“Peace is the effect of fight.”
Thus was the pronouncement of Shrii P. R. Sarkar, the propounder of the Progressive Utilization Theory (PROUT) otherwise known as Progressive Socialism.
The truism cuts across the board. Whatever your faith—Christian, Muslim. Buddhist, etc. At one time or another, you have to somehow subscribe to that principle, for it is the law of nature. It is how society runs as validated by history. Even the USA that somehow managed to keep wars away from its shore even up to now, had to go through a very bloody civil war. This is not to count how they almost exterminated the original Americans, they derisively called Indians.
While the Buddhists and Hindus, for instance, subscribe to the idea of non-violence and many of them professed to die for it (and many did die for it), they are violent in many instances. Look at how Buddists are butchering minority groups and members of other faiths in South East Asia. Look at how Muslims and Hindus massacre each other in their almost periodic riots in South Asia. And look at how Christians have been involved in wars throughout history, even up to now.
What is the relevance of all this to us now?
Can we have peace without drugs sans the bloodshed? Perhaps not. So the next question is, is everything humanly possible being done to avoid innocent casualties, and to make sure pulling the trigger is a last resort? How about preventing law enforcers from becoming so arrogant and start acting like they are gods?
And as pointed out, we cannot win the drug war by enforcement alone. The church, spiritual groups, educational institutions, civil society, parents, etc., all have to do their part. (But this would be another story.)
For human life is still the most valuable thing on earth.**