Actually, the 'war on drugs' began in 14th century China as they appointed a drug czar to cessate the flow of opium from British trade ships into the Chinese empire. The concept and structure has been alive and well-formed since then. What Ron and Nancy brought was the position of drug czar to the U.S. in addition to Nancy's "just say no" campaign. Both of these are equally as ineffectual as all efforts beginning solidly in the US with the 1914 Harrison Narcotics Act.
Plotinus you shouldn't be so hard on yourself, I don't think you're that nasty name you called yourself and others :P
Oh I forgot to mention, the Chinese drug czars failed miserably as ours and others' have, and they've since relied mostly on Darwin and attrition to neatly do their respective jobs.