Lockdown, USA, and How Drug Laws Increase Violence
A gentleman contacted me from Article 19 Films, who produce socially responsible documentary features. He told me about a documentary called Lockdown, USA
I like that trailer. Please consider ordering Lockdown, USA
I have often posted about the war on drugs on this blog because of the way that drug prohibition increases violent crime and hinders our ability to fight violent crime and victimization–similar to alcohol prohibition. Take a look at these posts:
- U.S. Incarcerates Most Non-Violent Offenders
- Reduce Violent Crime by Repealing Drug Prohibition
- Let’s Stop Violence and Victimization not Victimless Crimes
- State Focuses on Pot Users Instead of Violent Criminals
- Crack Gets More Jail Time Than Manslaughter
- Connecticut Still Wastes Its Resources
- Dems Seek Tax Funding For Crime Prevention (Why not stop wasting funds on drug prohibition instead?)
- Do I Want to Prevent Crime?
- The Lost War
- Funding Security
- Most Important Elements of Violent Crime Reduction
What do you think? Please post comments!
Comment by Darcy Lagana
I Know this is a long battle, but I am all in…the changes in the drug laws for the last 8 years will be causing apologies for generations to come. I urge everyone to stop being the bystanders of this generational attack.
Posted on March 27, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Comment by Jon Nazareth
It’s definitely a new dawn for change in NY state. The draconian Rockefeller Drug Laws have finally been repealed. NY Governor Paterson has passed a new bill to restore judicial discretion and end mandatory minimum sentences. This would allow judges to decide whether or not an individual should receive treatment instead of incarceration. It would be much more cost effective since up until today we’re spending U$45,000 dollars per person a year to keep them in jail. This money could be re-routed towards healthcare and education, two pending issues in the US today.
Watch the film, it shows an unlikely coalition of people, and today we can see that change can happen, no matter who starts it!
Posted on March 27, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Comment by Matt Maguire
I was very disappointed to see Obama laugh off the question about prohibition reform. It was shocking that such an intelligent man, who is an admitted past user, would over-look all the research and facts and simply laugh it off as some “cyber-teen-stoner” agenda that was generated by those questionable “user of the internet”.
On a positive note though it looks like the Rockefeller Drug Laws are finally out the door. Check out http://www.lockdownusa.com. A portion of all their profits goes to support the DPA (Drug Policy Alliance)! It’s time to take what we stared in NYC and make it national.
Posted on March 27, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Comment by joey lutz
Our unnecessary war on drugs like marijuana not only effects us but other countries like mexico, who are in a much more serious battle with their drug cartels. Legalizing marijuana would not only reduce violence, keep innocent out of jail, save the U.S. millions of dollars, but it would also reduce the cash flow funding the drug cartels in Mexico. In turn reducing their strong grip on the Mexican goverment.
Posted on March 27, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Comment by Loretta Clark
Please consider viewing Canadian films, ‘Damage Done’ and ‘Growing Op’–two excellent films that illuminate the hysteria and hypocrisies, the cover ups, the cop corruption. I am sure over the next two decades, many films, documentaries, and fiction will be made to show the devasting destruction of the War on Drugs the world over; it’s tie to war and conflict in the world; its connection to creating poverty and a prison system of corporate slavery; its legacy of harm and death from a conspiracy of oil and greed. The answer to the War on Drugs is community based cannabis initiatives that are aimed at ending poverty, prison reform, and reconciliation. Cannabis is the penultimate paradigm to end colonization, poverty and the War on Drugs–its lies are the greatest drug overdose on the masses, but the truth is demanding its liberation, and there is no turning HER back. Join my facebook cause, End Prohibition Now!
Posted on March 27, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Comment by urbananarchist
My view is people need to be responsible for themselves.
Fighting war on drugs seems to take up majority of law enforcement crimes committed all over the world.
I think the more we look after people the less empowered they will be.
Governments need people to take drugs or to be addicted to something it helps with controlling them. It has already been proven that. I look at countries that have high crime in this area and you will find that the ones in power the ones at the top in government or similar they will never be able to end the war on drugs with the views they have. The more control you try to have on something the more chance you have of loosing it same goes with this war on drugs or things similar. Interesting blog for sure I like your writing style best of luck with it. I will be passing it onto my friends
Posted on March 28, 2009 at 3:11 am
Comment by Organised Pauper
I’m all for a return to the medical model of drug addiction and problems rather than the criminal one. The war on drugs is an industry, it’s a major employer. If the war on drugs ended today how many people would be out of a job do you think?
You would think that the US would have learned from the Prohibition era. Making things illegal creates new ways for organised crime to make money. Making things illegal creates organised crime, it drives it.
Like I said though the war on crime is an industry.
Posted on March 28, 2009 at 10:46 am
Comment by Edgar Rossi
For sure, these components are disastrous.
Posted on March 28, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Comment by Leadership Expert
I find this type of documentary is part of a new wave on attacks on this stupid law. A grass roots movement is what is needed, and semi-pro docs like these will really help to get the message out to the public that our current leaders need to take action immeadiately. Its so easy to sit back when you’re middle class like I am, and relatively isolated from this walk of life. But something needs to be done.
Posted on March 29, 2009 at 9:21 am
Comment by Mooter
The Rockefeller Drug Laws is one of the most draconian laws out there. It has to end. Simmons has been on this crusade for a while now. He needs more attention.
Posted on March 30, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Comment by Dave Yoder
How can you come to any other conclusion than the “drug war” has been a fauilure? Good article.
Posted on March 31, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Comment by Tony @ sports betting picks
It seems like the movement is finally focused on the place or orgin. Let’s see if US military will join the Mexican army down South. It is being considered.
Tony
Posted on March 31, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Comment by Christian Biker
I can agree the prisons are full to the brim with non-violent drug offenders. I think we need to come up with other solutions to our drug problem. One thing we can do is start by educating our youths. The other thing is rally together and lobby our representatives in Washington DC to close the borders and take their hand out of the till. In my opinion, jail and prison are big business. Each institution gets paid per prisoner by the government. And also what would the police have to do if they could not bust drug offenders. I am involved with an organization Known as Unite Bikers Against Drugs. I am against Drugs’ However I know that addiction is an illness not a crime. Give help to the addicted, go after the source and prosecute the growers and manufactures. Stop administering narcotic pain medication unless it is absolutely necessary, the once the medication is no longer needed administer a detoxify process to the narcotic induced patient. Lastly give it all up to God, your higher power or whom ever you worship.
Posted on April 11, 2009 at 11:50 am
Comment by Danny Davis Watch
Good to see there are still people who believe in self defense AND sensible drug laws.
Posted on April 16, 2009 at 3:19 am
Comment by Bryan
This is an excellent article and I feel we are losing the war on drugs.
Posted on May 14, 2009 at 7:17 am
Comment by SATILIK KOPEK
Our unnecessary war on drugs like marijuana not only effects us but other countries like mexico, who are in a much more serious battle with their drug cartels. Legalizing marijuana would not only reduce violence, keep innocent out of jail, save the U.S. millions of dollars,.
Posted on June 1, 2009 at 11:32 am
Comment by Anonymous
I agree, give those speaking out about the issue for attention. Simmons is a good man!
Posted on August 4, 2009 at 9:44 am
Comment by rachid
greath video,societe must doing something to reduce the drug .
Posted on October 23, 2009 at 6:55 am
Comment by Duane Houy
Gaining the attention of the powers that be is only possible when they see it is in their best interests to act. And since the so-called “war on drugs” has done little to stop the sale and use of many different types of drugs. Estimates I have seen put the rate of interception of drugs coming into the United States at about 20%. If this is really a “war,” it is being lost battle after battle and it is costing us dearly in wasted money and lives.
Afterall, who is typically caught? Not the people at the top of the illegal drug hierarchy. It is the kids who see no other way to make it in this society.
Face it, we are a nation that believes in punishment – not enlightenment. And not on anyone’s behalf.
Just as prohibition was eventually overturned, some day the light will come on and the pols will recognize the reality that most of us in the “real” world live in – prohibitions fail and they fail because people do not believe the government edicts and b.s. that come out of elected officials mouths.
Credibility is lost and when that is the case, you have no status from which to rant about what truly matters.
Posted on January 20, 2010 at 9:34 am