NOTE: This 1999 DNW film is in english although it starts out in Dutch for the first few seconds. (92:29 min)
This European documentary looks at the American War on Drugs, the one behind the veil of rhetoric. Most experts say that we are losing the war on drugs, on many levels than the obvious. The war on drugs has been going on for more than three decades. Today, nearly 500,000 Americans are imprisoned on drug charges, a 10 fold increase since in 1980. Last year $40 billion in taxpayer dollars were spent in fighting the war on drugs. As a result of incarceration obsession, the United States operates the largest prison system on the planet.
The list can go on but watch the staggering facts for yourselves from amazingly candid interviews of many experts of the criminal trade including extreme regrets from the man that wrote the senseless, twisted criminal drug laws that has become an American tragedy. Yet, we are now almost 10 years since this film was shown and there is no change. The War on Drugs has become entrenched as part of the national economy. Perhaps the War on Drugs and The War on Terror were never meant to be won. (92 min)
David, before I even watch this, you have predicted my comments in your last two lines of your description. Its all part of the permanent war economy…
also scary about the surveillance aspect, where nieighbours and children are encouraged to inform police. America is a very sick society. When will logic and wisdom win out over greed and dogma????
Logic and wisdom like Lord of the Rings The fellowship of Man? He he… Yeah, you know, the part of about children manipulated into turning in their parents was sad if not sickening. The enforcement guys seem proud that they could get the kids to do that.
Without actually saying anything themselves, these Dutch guys captured and conveyed a system so corrupt that the people working in it don’t even bother to hide the social injustice of it, the breaking down of our society because of the war on drugs. Other people are getting rich investing in the growing correctional industry at the expense of the poor who are trapped in a losing cycle. And the U.S. is pushing other countries to follow the same game. It’s hideous.