Schwartz, R.M. For drugs, a moral model. (1990, November 2). The Christian Science Monitor.

OVERVIEW

Schwartz notes that missing from society is "a strong moral structure" that establishes "clear expectations of right and wrong." Such a moral structure would "foster strong inner restraints, and mete our decisive external consequences for both virtuous behavior and unacceptable deviations."

Instead, Schwartz sees our present social acceptance of heavy drinking and light drug use in contrast to the 19th century model of abstinence as a hallmark of middle class respectability. He does not lobby for a return to "a climate of prohibition," but rather for an extension of the anti-tobacco trend to stretch to the excessive use of alcohol and drugs.

ARTICLE EXCERPTS

The following comprise various thoughts offered by Schwartz:

President Bush’s declaration of war on drugs shifted the prevailing metaphor in our struggle against drug abuse from the medical model to the military model. The medical model defined alcoholism, and by extension drug addiction, as an illness requiring ‘treatment.’ As the ‘disease’ of drug abuse spread to epidemic proportions, however, the prevailing metaphor- fueled by anger about the social ills that the drug problem spawns- has shifted to war.

It is doubtful that such a war can be won, whatever its budget. A recent New York Times headline announced that ‘Bush Officials Say War on Drugs in the Nation’s Capital Is a Failure.’

The futility of our efforts against drug abuse reflects in part the inadequacy of our guiding metaphor. We are, as my Italian barber phrased it...a ‘nation of moral orphans.’ We lack a moral consensus that abuse of drugs and alcohol is not only bad, but is wrong, and that self-control, discipline, restraint, and temperance are essential virtues that bind the fabric of society. Only a spiritual and moral model can add backbone to the prevailing medical and military models...

Medical and psychological models alone will not succeed in ‘curing’ the country of drug abuse; while the war on drugs alone will drain the country’s treasury and end in futility. We need to treat those who abuse drugs and punish those who abuse drugs and punish those who provide them. But we also need to send the plain message that there is something fundamentally wrong in misusing any substance.

Only a balanced approach that includes the moral will strengthen the necessary internal controls to steer individuals and ultimately society away from the demand for an improper release from pain and an excessive pursuit of pleasures...

Our age lacks a moral consensus about what constitutes right and wrong. While we cannot reestablish this consensus generally, we can at least hope to address the specific values associated with alcohol and drug use.

CONCLUSION

The entire article deserves reading. Schwartz does not object to the restraint of the drug trade. He admits that biochemical tendencies toward addiction may be born and environmental factors may merely hasten abuse. He acknowledges that drug-education programs contain some moral instruction.

Perhaps the relative success of the anti-tobacco campaign can be instructive. With the force of scientific research and government sponsored advertising, the image of cigarette smoking has been transformed from socially desirable to weak—if not pathetic—from good to bad.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. Do you agree with the writer’s description of three models with which drug and alcohol abuse can be opposed: the military, medical, and the moral? Which of these has received the least attention?
2. What priority would you give to each of these models, or what strategy against drug and alcohol abuse do you think has the greatest chance for success?
3. How should one assess the moral strength of a culture? Is there a decline of moral strength and clarity in contemporary society? Does "our age lacks a moral consensus about what constitutes right and wrong?" If yes, why? If no, why not?
4. What contributes to the moral strength of a society? How can we help to strengthen the moral resolve of those tempted with alcohol and drugs?

IMPLICATIONS

1. Assessment of the federal government’s "war on drugs" is a necessary exercise. We must also evaluate the effectiveness of drug programs that have served alcoholics and drug abusers.
2. The media is a prime instructor of the young in our society. It reflects, as well as influences, the willingness of many to hurt themselves and others without a significantly troubled conscience. Examining the factors that lead to moral indifference and cynicism is an important aspect in any crusade against drugs.
3. Parents, teachers, youth leaders, and young people themselves are all essential to moral education and the prevention of abuse.