Earlier this month, the U.S. government certified 20 of 24 countries as being fully cooperative with U.S. anti-drug efforts. Nations who were not certified are subject to economic sanctions.

In your opinion, how serious is the drug problem in the United States? Is it something we should be solving domestically, or do we need to rely on the cooperation of foreign nations? How do you feel about our government's practice of certifying those countries that cooperate with our anti-drug policy?

Here are some additional questions to answer:

• Overall, would you say the illegal drug problem is something that has been accurately portrayed by the media and politicians, or has it been overstated?



• How would you characterize the United States’ anti-drug efforts thus far? Have they been effective? How do you feel specifically about the “War on Drugs”?



• According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the U.S. federal government has recommended $19.2 billion in funding for National Drug Control strategy. Is $19.2 billion enough? Too much? Is the money being spent correctly – how would you allocate the money?



• If you were fighting the war on drugs, what methods would you use? Do you think money should be devoted more towards treatment and research or law enforcement?



• What do you think of the penalties for drug possession and drug trafficking in this country? Are they too severe, too light or commensurate with the crime?



• Where do you stand on the legalization of drugs? Would it help or hurt U.S. anti-drug efforts? Do you think legalization would increase or decrease the number of addicts in America?