| Traffic - The Real Drug Deal | |
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The Real-life War on
Drugs
Since 1993, the U.S. war against illegal drugs has been coordinated by the White
House Office
of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). The director of the ONDCP plays the
real-life role of America's Drug Czar, a spot currently held by Deputy Director Donald
R. Vereen Jr., M.D., M.P.H. Original Drug Czar Barry R. McCaffrey served
during the Clinton Administration from 1993-2000.
Under the coordination of the ONDCP, the following
federal agencies play key enforcement and advisory roles in drug fighting:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services;
Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau
of Justice Assistance; Drug
Enforcement Agency;
United
States Customs Service; National
Institute on Drug Abuse; U.S.
Coast Guard
According to the U.S. Customs Service, the following quantities of marijuana, cocaine and heroin have been seized along our southwestern border, Florida and Puerto Rico:
Marijuana Seized (Pounds) FY 1997 - 726,199; FY 1998 - 954,936; FY 1999 - 1,179,031; FY 2000 - 1,288,650
Cocaine Seized (Pounds) FY 1997 - 157,924; FY 1998 - 157,035; FY 1999 - 160,353; FY 2000 - 149,844
Heroin Seized (Pounds) FY 1997 - 2,445; FY 1998 - 2,953; FY 1999 - 1,919; FY 2000 - 2,552
Assets
Seized - During 1997, the latest reported period, U.S. law enforcement
agencies also seized $511,680,150 in illegal drug trade related cash and
property. (Source:
ONDCP) Drugs
Not Seized - If that much illegal dope is being seized, how much is getting
through? No statistics. Price of the War - Since spending $1.5 billion
in 1985, the federal budget devoted to drug-fighting has increased to over $17.7
billion in FY 2000. (Source: ONDCP) Price
of the Drugs - If you sell it, they will pay... $10.41 for a gram of
marijuana, $169.25 for a gram of cocaine and $1,798.80 for a gram of heroin. (Source:
DEA Drug Buys & Seizures 1998) Can the War Be Won? - A strange
thing happens at the end of Traffic, the good guys lose. The
Drug Czar played by Michael Douglas declares we cannot win the War on Drugs
because the enemy -- is us -- the American family. Is the War on Drugs doomed?
In his recent article 'Traffic'
Flows, Civil Liberties Guide J.D. Tuccille suggests it may be. In 'Traffic'
Flows, Tuccille also addresses one ugly aspect of war missing from Traffic
-- peril from friendly fire. "And an important aspect of the War on Drugs left almost untouched by Traffic,"
he writes, "is the fate of innocent people sucked into the maw of the great crusade, whose
lives are disrupted by the mistakes and greed of the drug warriors." Waging
Your Own War You will remain anonymous and could receive a cash award for your
information.
Because policing the borders is a daunting task, the U.S. Customs Service
seeks the help of the public in the fight against drugs and drug smuggling. The
public is urged to report suspected drug smuggling activity to the nearest U.S.
Customs Office or call the 24 hour tipline at: 1-800-BE-ALERT.
