Thread: The (Un?)intended Effects of the "War on Drugs"

Whenever an administration declares renewed efforts on their "War on Drugs,” there is the usual list of platitudes; “Drugs are a scourge on the country.” “The worst threat our young people face.” The newest of these is: "Drugs are a major source of funding for the terrorists.” This last has been so debunked that the ads featuring this premise have virtually disappeared. It was not debunked to the point that conservatives don't believe that the average joint smoker is bin Laden's greatest supporter. This also ignores the fact that Afghanistan has become the largest supplier of heroin in world, a country funded by narcotics because of our war on terror. History has shown the real reason for the "War" is distraction. Starting with the Johnson administration and continuing with administrations from both parties it has been considered a "safe" issue that no one would oppose, lest they be called moral degenerates or worse. The "War" is not emphasized until an administration's other policies and poll numbers are in the toilet. This distraction ploy is so well recognized as to be non-controversial and always used as an argument against spending more money and resources on a "War" we can never win.

These are the outward and visible signs of discussion. I believe that there are two less obvious but much more insidious motivations behind the "War" and its associated laws and law enforcement efforts. Both involve keeping the poor and people of color ‘in their place.’ The first is stopping higher education in its tracks. Anyone convicted of a drug related offense has a lifetime ban on receiving Federal funds for education, including both grants and loan guarantees. Many states have followed suit with similar restrictions. Both levels of government restrict public assistance after conviction of a crime, especially drug related. With the poor and minorities much more likely to be convicted of these crimes, this virtually assures that that the cycle of poverty and ignorance will continue unabated. This is race and class discrimination at its ugliest.

For all their anti-union rhetoric, the Conservatives have a favorite union. This is the prison guard unions and associations, with their extremely well funded PACs. In California, these PACs are the single largest contributor to political campaigns. A union’s primary function is to ensure the continued existence of jobs for its members, closely followed by creating new ones. Well over half of the prison population is there for drug related crimes. The need for prisons and prison guards is driven by the number of prisoners. The politicians get two benefits, looking tough on crime by supporting new prison construction and contributions from the PACs. Many states disenfranchise convicts, again favoring Conservatives. The added nasty fact is that prison guard is the employment haven for the sadists and racists among us.

So the next time you hear about the “War on Drugs,” fully consider just what you may be supporting.

all I wanna say is that it gave George JR the BEST COKE THE ATF COULD SMUGGLE

Ah shit, I'll say more. This facination with declaring war on anything that isn't angible is a crock in the first place. War on AIDS. War on Drugs. War on terrorism. War on homelessness. Everything is a WAR! That has got to be the most fucked up concept humans invented. WAR! Everything is based around violence. How do you win any of these wars? It's impossible as shown by the decades long WARS we've declared on the above mentioned WARS. Nothing has changed in these wars. Still homeless, drug addict terrorists running around. Yeah, I know the war on terror is a new one, but let's see if there's an end. Don't hold your breath.

The Heroin Triangle is close to being under US control if it isn't already. GO USA!!!!!!

Afghanistan has become the largest supplier of heroin in world, a country funded by narcotics because of our war on terror.

Afghanistan was one of the primary suppliers of herion long before the war on terror.

Anyone convicted of a drug related offense has a lifetime ban on receiving Federal funds for education, including both grants and loan guarantees.

This is not true. I was convicted of possession of a controled substance (marijuana). I received federal grants and a Loan under the 1984 GI Bill. I also received a VA loan for my home.

My Question to you is would you legalize Herion, Cocaine, and Methamphetamine. And if so would you encourage your children to experiment with these drugs?

Originally Posted by killacommy

Afghanistan was one of the primary suppliers of herion long before the war on terror.

And before the Taliban, they had virtually eliminated the growing of opium poppies before we invaded. YES, we should have invaded, but we should have anticipated the reemergence of the poppy fields and provided alternatives to the growers.

Originally Posted by killacommy

This is not true. I was convicted of possession of a controled substance (marijuana). I received federal grants and a Loan under the 1984 GI Bill. I also received a VA loan for my home.

It would have been more correct to say that eligibility for funds under purely educational programs are withheld. Your funds were all under veterans programs. If your conviction had been for any other drug, I dare say you would not have allowed to enlist.

Originally Posted by killacommy

My Question to you is would you legalize Herion, Cocaine, and Methamphetamine. And if so would you encourage your children to experiment with these drugs?

First question – yes. Second question – no, not anymore than I would encourage and promote experimentation with alcohol.

It would have been more correct to say that eligibility for funds under purely educational programs are withheld. Your funds were all under veterans programs. If your conviction had been for any other drug, I dare say you would not have allowed to enlist.

one of my federal grants was not guaranteed by the gi bill It was a federal pel grant. That I received after my conviction. My conviction was after my term of service in the Army.

Originally Posted by killacommy

one of my federal grants was not guaranteed by the gi bill It was a federal pel grant. That I received after my conviction. My conviction was after my term of service in the Army.

Well you have my congratulations because that is not the case today. When applying for funds for my son we were told this was definitely the case and if he had had a conviction don’t even bother applying.

Originally Posted by killacommy

one of my federal grants was not guaranteed by the gi bill It was a federal pel grant. That I received after my conviction. My conviction was after my term of service in the Army.

Further update from: Pell Grants Defined & Updated for 2006 - Changes Cause 90,000 Students to Lose Grants

New Pell Grant Changes for 2006: Among changes to the Pell Grant program, commencing for the 2005-2006 federal year are:

- Previously, students who had been convicted of a drug offense were ineligible for Pell Grants. This was changed to only exclude students convicted of drug offenses while students.

Bummer, thats a shame

If you want to take drugs, go right ahead! But you better have a job, and not sucking welfare. If you take drugs AND manage to be a productive member of society, kudos to ya!

Looks like we are losing the war on drugs, too. People are still using them, and drugs are still being trafficked into the US.
Pookie