Take a Stand Paper
Introduction
In the video “The War on Drugs: Winners and Losers” attempt to provide a basis on whether the war against drugs in the United States is creating more harm in society versus the drug abuse problem. In the video, interviews were conducted with law enforcement, authors, and others. All interviewed pointed out the flaws in the initiatives, specifically in regards to the forfeitures. The forfeitures bring in a steady stream of income for law enforcement entities. In addition, private correctional services have become very profitable, usage of doctors and social workers as informants, and children of convicted mothers’ have become wards of the state.
Furthermore, the video outlines how the war on drugs differs from a real war. In a real war, casualties are taken by both sides; whereas the war on drugs casualties is the general public. Those financially benefitting from the war on drugs are the prosecutors and police since their budgets are increased to finance. The video also speaks to the law enforcements motivation and how it relates to seizing one’s assets if there is potential evidence that a person is dealing drugs or has drugs on their personal affects or residence. The law enforcement claims that their incentive is to remove drug and criminal activities from society. However, it should be noted that in 1984 the bill in federal crime was changed to allow law enforcement to share in the profits when assets have been seized in a drug related crime
The video also mentioned the fact that an individual is guilty until proven innocent. The following are two major changes implemented:
1. Drug enforcement – funding is based on assets seized
2. Citizen Informants – given incentives as informants
In addition, the video also touched on the following:
1. Impact on communities with low income
2. Criminal justice viewed as a growing and profitable industry
3. Correlation between violent and non-violent...