In his book "Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace," Gore Vidal argues that the existence of drugs serves a strategic purpose for governments. He suggests that if drugs were not already part of society, authorities would have created them as a means to exert control over the population. By prohibiting these substances, governments can instill fear, thereby making citizens more susceptible to arrest and the loss of personal property.

Vidal's perspective highlights the interplay between power and societal issues, indicating that drug-related laws reflect a broader agenda of maintaining authority and control. The narrative implies that the war on drugs may not solely be about public health or safety, but rather a mechanism for the state to dominate and manipulate its citizens, reinforcing the cycle of vulnerability and subjugation.