The Economics of the Drug Crisis

All the resources of the United States government to date have not been able to stem the flow of illicit drugs onto the streets and into campuses, workplaces, and even boardrooms across the nation. This has had disastrous consequences on families and society. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was created in July of 1973—but, despite the best of intentions, it has not been able to eliminate the widespread use of narcotics and other harmful drugs.

With the introduction of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that is at least 50 times more powerful than morphine, deaths from accidental overdoses have skyrocketed nationally. Since 2017, more than 300,000 deaths have been attributed to its use in the United States alone! Its grave danger is well known by doctors and by users on the streets—so, why is it so prevalent?

Here enters the basic economic principle of “supply and demand.” The market has not been eliminated because there is tremendous demand for illicit drugs. Those who are addicted will pay whatever it takes, generating huge sums of money for unscrupulous people willing to take the risk of fines and imprisonment to provide the drugs. This revenue is so great that whole societies and even some national governments are dominated by cartels that produce, distribute, and sell deadly, addictive products.

An Age-Old Problem

This seemingly modern problem has ancient roots. The Bible says that in the time of Noah, “the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). Solomon was inspired to write, “That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Law enforcement has a necessary role in solving this problem. “Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Prompt action by police, prosecutors, and courts can reduce the flow and sale of illicit drugs. However, this malignant problem will continue until the demand is greatly reduced or eliminated. To accomplish this, a change of attitude on the part of those who use illicit drugs is required. Obviously, education is a powerful tool, but something more is needed.

The demand for narcotics seems to have increased as the basic family structure has crumbled in the Western world. The Apostle Paul instructed, “You, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Proverbs 22:6 gives a broad principle on this point: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Wholesome family values instilled from infancy and practiced in the home will effectively eliminate the demand and thus the market for illicit drugs.

In striking language, Scripture describes the pitfalls and hopelessness resulting from intoxication: “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?… Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things” (Proverbs 23:29–35).

This applies to those enslaved by addiction to illicit drugs. While the physical toll is devastating, the spiritual consequences are even more dire. God describes the sobering final execution that will be carried out on unrepentant sinners. “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). Note that the word sorcerers is translated from a Greek word pharmakos, from which the word pharmacy is derived, implying that this scripture is referring to people who misuse drugs.

While you may not be able to change the drug culture in society, you can make changes in your life and family. Your example in rejecting the drug culture will positively influence others.