Breaking the Taboo... A Sam Branson documentary on the war on drugs

[Legdog]

It's an hour of time but I did learn some new things.

*Beware*

It does take a pretty left leaning stance on the issue. However, I think it helped me better understand the problem. I found the time well spent.

Narrated by Morgan Freeman, this groundbreaking new documentary uncovers the UN sanctioned war on drugs, charting its origins and its devastating impact on countries like the USA, Colombia and Russia. Featuring prominent statesmen including Presidents Clinton and Carter, the film follows The Global Commission on Drug Policy on a mission to break the political taboo and expose the biggest failure of global policy in the last 50 years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8UtNF-Le2L0

The war on drugs and its application to our border issues is a hot topic for me. This film offers a good global perspective.

Tony Papa: If you can't control drug use in a maximum security prison, how can you control drug use in a free society?

[Reaper33]

i didnt see this one ill have to check it out. I like watching "Drugs, INC" also

[Pablo Honey]

You can't control drug use in a free society. The funds and resources would be better put to use in educational programs on the effects of drug use both short/long term.


Thanks for posting, I'll check it out.

[Legdog]

Here's the trailer if you want a quick look.

http://boingboing.net/2012/12/04/trailer-for-breaking-the-taboo.html

[pickles]

Awesome. Can't wait to check this out. Thanks for the post Leggy.

[Legdog]

I pulled a couple of quotes out...

"The war on drugs didn't do away with people's desire for drugs. All it managed to do was create a network of criminals to fulfill the demand."

and the film is in no way, pro illegal drug use:

"Don't be drug free because it's illegal. Be drug free because it's the key to your freedom, it's the key to your future."

They talk about how drugs take your most valued posession... the ability to make decisions and to make choices. When the addict wakes up in the morning, he has no choice about what he's going to do that day.

[Dirtymike]

Have to watch this tonight from my house. Thanks for sharing.

[jerp]

"Don't be drug free because it's illegal. Be drug free because it's the key to your freedom, it's the key to your future."

The futility of the drug wars has me gradually moving over to a more libertarian view on the topic. The part of the quote I put in bold above is key, and is something I've always wondered. Speaking for myself - I don't do drugs, not because they are illegal, but because I know they are bad for me and the last thing I need is something else that saps my billfold and alters what thinking skills I have left. However I wonder how true that is of the non drug-using public at large? Do most of them stay away from drugs out of fear of the law, or because they know using is a bad idea? The prohibitionists continue to make the case that drug use would soar if they were made legal. That may or may not be true, but I am now open to the idea that the billions we spend enforcing drug laws would be put to better use elsewhere. We may have more - or less druggies - but there would be fewer violent deaths for sure. On the other hand I worry that we would be abandoning the underclass in the inner cities to the drug culture entirely.

[Low Fence]

Just finished the video. Thanks for posting.


Explaining this view to the general voting population (in my local area) would be comical at best, but the numbers/facts make sence.

Thanks

[Low Fence]

The futility of the drug wars has me gradually moving over to a more libertarian view on the topic. The part of the quote I put in bold above is key, and is something I've always wondered. Speaking for myself - I don't do drugs, not because they are illegal, but because I know they are bad for me and the last thing I need is something else that saps my billfold and alters what thinking skills I have left. However I wonder how true that is of the non drug-using public at large? Do most of them stay away from drugs out of fear of the law, or because they know using is a bad idea? The prohibitionists continue to make the case that drug use would soar if they were made legal. That may or may not be true, but I am now open to the idea that the billions we spend enforcing drug laws would be put to better use elsewhere. We may have more - or less druggies - but there would be fewer violent deaths for sure. On the other hand I worry that we would be abandoning the underclass in the inner cities to the drug culture entirely.

I offten wondered the same with booze.....

Mineola (a town close by) went "Wet" last year. I honestly dont feel that anyone that was going to drink...or not drink made their decision on availability. It was something they were going to do based on their own beliefs, ideas, standards. But what it did is add a lot of money in sales taxes. and save me 30 min one way trips for a $%#& beer.

I don't, have not, will not use illegal drugs...but I feel the same principle COULD apply.

Like stated above I dont use, but I could aquire "pot" in less than 10 min. IF I chosed to.... tax free

[Tommyh]

I have to say that being hit with deaths from illegal drug use in my family, i am not at all hip to making it legal to sell on the street. however, seeing as how much money is wasted with the war on drugs, the availability that is still prevalent anywhere in the US, and the current spending issue in DC, id consider it. It wont make people run out and become drug users that arent already that way for the most part, so i dont buy that story line any longer. the problem comes when you start to tax it, how is it going to be accepted by the people who already get it tax free now, and stop that flow into the country? Will federal tax dollars be used in treatment facilities or will it be the same as it is now, for places that are already in operation for alcohol and narc abuse?

[Shane]

Neither taxes on nor laws against drugs are the fix for the problem. You can't tax or legislate somebody into accepting personal responsibility, having self-respect, or having a desire to contribute more to society than he/she takes. Our society's biggest problems are problems of the heart. Laws and taxes can't fix that.

[systemnt]

Tried watching it... kept waiting on penguins to march out.

[bowhuntntxn]

The futility of the drug wars has me gradually moving over to a more libertarian view on the topic. The part of the quote I put in bold above is key, and is something I've always wondered. Speaking for myself - I don't do drugs, not because they are illegal, but because I know they are bad for me and the last thing I need is something else that saps my billfold and alters what thinking skills I have left. However I wonder how true that is of the non drug-using public at large? Do most of them stay away from drugs out of fear of the law, or because they know using is a bad idea? The prohibitionists continue to make the case that drug use would soar if they were made legal. That may or may not be true, but I am now open to the idea that the billions we spend enforcing drug laws would be put to better use elsewhere. We may have more - or less druggies - but there would be fewer violent deaths for sure. On the other hand I worry that we would be abandoning the underclass in the inner cities to the drug culture entirely.

I don't think the underclass or inner cities would be abandoned at all. Because there are still people in those locations who choose not to use drugs for the exact same reasons other people do. Not for fear of the law, but for respect for themselves. What it would do for the inner cities is keep the project drug lords from controlling sections of the cities and warring with other turf kings over sales.

The demand will never go down. And that only leaves the supply chain available for controlling. Legalization will provide a way to control the supply routes and quantities. Which will in turn create less of a need for purchasing, transporting, and manufacturing through illegal means. The war was lost a very long time ago.

[Texas8point]

I watched it...... I really dont know what to think !