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So, who wins in the War on Drugs? Every war has a winner, although in this case it's a Pyrrhic victory, a victory that is won by incurring terrible losses. Let's take a look:
The so-called "Department of Justice" wins - Their ever expanding project gets funded more and more by Congress. This results in the hiring of MORE personnel, resulting in more people feeding their families and funding their IRAs. And, oh yes, increasing the power of such paramilitary organizations as the DEA and the ATF. Recently, through the use of "Enronomics", the government has been able to obscure the real $$ cost of the Drug War - just so the public doesn't catch on to the waste.
The BOP (Bureau of Prisons) wins - they get to increase their budget, build new prisons, hire more guards and other service vendors, hire more probation officers, hire more half-way houses and a host of other goodies.
Attorneys win - big time!!! On both sides. Defense attorneys can afford another Mercedes. Attorneys for the government win because they get another line in their resumes on the way to their ultimate political ambition. And they, of course, can look morally superior. Federal judges don't win as much because the Mandatory Minimums take the job of judging away from them and give it to the prosecuting attorneys. And the recent Feeney Amendment makes them little more than rubber-stamping clerks, BUT, they're still employed, earning $150,000+ a year, and require more in their ranks to handle the workload.
The politicians win, because they can look "tough on crime" to their constituents. Apparently the public is impressed enough by this they keep re-electing the politicians giving them job security. Politicians can also look good by introducing and passing laws that reduce your civil liberties in the name of "peace and security." Of course, an occasional gratuity, er, "campaign contribution", from prison building and maintenance corporations helps, too. (see House and Senate Judiciary Committee contributions) Here's a list of the House and Senate Committee members--anyone want to investigate their portfolios?
Social service budgeters win because of the increased case load, resulting in the demand for bigger budgets, to care for the displaced children ("collateral damage") of the War.
Mental health care professionals win. They have to care for the "walking wounded" - the families of prisoners, and the prisoners themselves for years after release.
The prison-builders win, as well as their stockholders. Which makes me wonder how many of the above groups have stock in those companies. And ancillary companies such as Evercom, the inmate telephone system wins. And then there is PRIVATIZED prisons, where corporations such as Wackenhut and Corrections Corporation of America, the Bobby Ross Group, Cornell and Correctional Services Corp. win big. ("If you build it, they will come.")
Local jails win. A $5.00 radio on the outside costs $30.00 in the jail commissary. 30% of the cost of telephone calls go to the collection pool. State and Federal governments pay local jails to house inmates. Someone is making a bundle.
Prison and jail providers win. Bob Barker Company claims it's "America's Leading Detention Supplier." But there are hundreds of "Bob Barkers" out there, willing to make a few bucks off of unfortunate people. Just go to corrections.com and check out the buyers guide.
Police agencies win. It increases their budget requests, and on occasion might help fund a policeman's retirement fund (offshore, of course).
Moviemakers and novelists win. They get to excite and entertain us with their stories about drug crimes. Newspapers and "talking heads" win. They get to report "the news."
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