Prohibition and drug wars

Violence/force is a mandatory response to rid humanity of (non-medicinal) opiates

"In this, the cycle of Almighty God, violence and force, constraint and oppression, are one and all condemned. It is, however, mandatory that the use of opium be prevented by any means whatsoever, that perchance the human race may be delivered from this most powerful of plagues. And otherwise, woe and misery to whoso falleth short of his duty to his Lord."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, section 129, p. 149; cited in Notes to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, no. 170, p. 239)

Legal Prohibition (of alcohol) depends on readiness of society but would be welcomed

"I am so sorry that the answer to your mail did not reach you as I knew Shoghi Effendi did answer."

"You had asked in connection with the subject of prohibition. Of course in every country one must take into consideration the exact conditions as to whether by force of legislation people can be stopped from drinking, but as a principle the Bahá'í Teachings are quite against drinking, intoxicating liquors and from the Bahá'í point of view every thing that helps to stop drinking is welcomed."

This text is not known whether it may possibly be authentic or in the category of Pilgrim's notes

(A secretary of Shoghi Effendi, Soheil Afnan, perhaps summarizing guidance of Shoghi Effendi but perhaps just expressing his own opinion; published in Messages to the Antipodes, 30 December 1925, at https://bahai-library.com/shoghi-effendi_messages_antipodes.html&chapter=1#30%20December%201925 but the Universal House of Justice asked this letter be removed (it was stated as being a personal letter from Soheil Afnan) and the 2016 edition removes it)

See also

• Opium
• Alcohol
• Drugs
• Punishment (on its importance but not as exclusive focus)