Richard P. Burton, Sr., Director of Project R.E.AC.H., INC.
- After 40 years of the modern war on drugs, billions spent, thousands of lives ruined, jails and prisons overflowing and we still as a nation have not won the war on drugs.
The war on drugs is one of the greatest challenges in American politics. This failed war is far worst than any modern day war, including the war in Viet Nam or Iraq, given the cost and the fatalities. Also, it has caused pain and destruction for several decades, with no end in sight and as a nation, we have spent billions and yet stats and studies suggest limited positive effect on the overall drug culture.
This political topic became fashionable in the late sixties especially among white middle class Americans. Drugs were glorified in the seventies by using movies and television. This lend to President Richard Nixon in 1971 naming drugs “public enemy number one”. The laws on drugs were strict at first and eventually classed into two categories, soft and hard, with mandatory minimum sentences for each type of drug. There are many criticisms in both directions of the war on drugs and while some Americans protest our military going to other countries to fight this war, other Americans support and fund these operations.
With every passing day the drug problem seems to be getting worst, including the astronomical cost and growth of the prison industrial complex. It would be better served to use limited tax dollars on America’s infrastructures such as building new bridges, roads, schools and supporting healthcare, veterans benefits, student loans, HIV/aids and restoring voting rights of all citizens. Economic is a political debate and the war on drugs and it’s cost should be factored into our presidential politics and within statewide politics and elections. A “Code Blue” as it relates to the drug war should be declared, not only with presidential candidates, but, to include lawmakers, Faith Leaders and human rights advocates. Laws such as mandatory minimum and sentencing guidelines has translated into millions of young men and women being incarcerated, early deaths, the lost of voting rights and translates into the decline of the family.
The drug epidemic and the war on drugs has caused many of our children to face the “school to prison pipeline” further suggesting the need for initiatives and services to promote education and graduation over incarceration. In cities like Hartford, Connecticut, Washington, D.C., and others, curfews are being used to curtail gangs and violence. We at Project R.EA.C.H., Inc. believe this condition is the side effect of the war on drugs, poverty and racism and a national call to action summit is needed on this most crucial social ill.
Racism is being discussed during our 2008 presidential politics. However, the war on drugs is a war on poor people, primarily African Americans and other minorities. However, throughout the presidential primaries, candidates were silent on this war and continues during the general elections. This silence includes those in the media, lawmakers, human rights, and other community leaders.
The religious community has always been the strength of the black community and has held true throughout our history with slavery, segregation and the civil rights movement. Unfortunately, far too many faith and civil rights leaders are also silent as it relates to the war on drugs and racial profiling within the criminal justice system.
