American Drug War: The Last White Hope

American Drug War shows ways the various ways the government has chosen to hold back the legalization of drugs and the consequences of it. It effectively compares countries who have legalized drugs such as the Netherlands to the U.S. Some of the guests in this documentary were quite credible including CIA agents, a Californian judge, and some other former government officials. This made it so much better because anyone can make up a conspiracy theory, and I actually think a decent amount of filmmakers get following conspiracy theories that only have a grain of truth. American Drug War, however, covers several areas relating drug legislation in the U.S. from a more seemingly unbiased and believable standpoint.

If you are tired of being lied to watch this movie. Everything in this film was well done, great documentery. Michael Ruppert is in a lot of these types of films. I respect the man to the fullest. To get more into the truth about New World Order. Please check out End Game, Loose Change, Zietgeist, End of Saburbia.

There is so much information that I cannot fit it into this review. This truly is a documentary that will change the way you view all drugs, whether they be legal, illegal, or prescription. Director Kevin Booth shows all sides of America's "War on Drugs" and its toll on our country. Whether your against drug use or for it, this is a very informative and IMPORTANT documentary to watch. The biggest sticking point of the documentary is that drugs ought to be regulated instead of being made illegal to lower drug use overall in America. An example is the fact that Amsterdam/Holland has 40% less marijuana use compared to the U.S. Also that crystal meth use is virtually obsolete in Amsterdam/Holland whereas in the U.S. its an epidemic.

These are just some of the few things that are brought up in the documentary, truly a great film and something that should be viewed by everybody.

This movie, and its message, are long over due. Booth does an excellent job exposing the hypocrisy and corruption in our nations drug policies. As well as the ruining effect they have on our society, an effect that can be far more damaging than the drugs themselves.

Alcohol prohibition was a complete failure in the 20s. It increased the use of alcohol while decreasing the age at which people used it. It created an extremely lucrative market for gangsters and a subsequent wave of violence. Drug prohibition, which has been in effect since 1937, is no different. Hundreds of thousands have died in gang violence or run ins with the police. Our prisions are so packed we can't build new ones fast enough. Isn't seventy years of failure long enough for someone to ADMIT prohibition doesn't work? It took thirteen years for alcohol!

And if you can't learn from history, few do, look at Holland. A place where drugs are decriminalized and actually provided by the government in some cases. Drug use is....DOWN, especially among the youth. Drug related crime is almost nonexistent and the rate of addiction is nearly stable. Isn't it amazing how much more you accomplish with understanding and education instead of oppression and punishment.

Director Kevin Booth does make some effort to show both sides of America's "War on Drugs". For example, Booth depicts the devasting effect on drugs like crystal meth, crack and PCP on the lives of addicts. He also includes interviews with anti-drug "warriors" like former Clinton drug czar Barry McCafferty. But Booth clearly recognizes the "War On Drugs" as a failed campaign that will never be won. He emphasizes the racists aspects of the drug war as well as it underlying sinister motives of both profit and social control for those in power.

A significant portion of the doc is devoted to explaining the role of the Reagan administration in the importation of cocaine into the USA in the 1980's to covertly fund the Contra's war against the Sandinistas in Nicaragua. It also decribes how Los Angeles drug dealer, Freeway Ricky Ross, became a contact for a Contra drug exporter and how this led him to becoming a major player in the subsequent crack epidemic.

Booth also includes interviews with drug decriminalization advocates such as Tommy Chong and Jello Biafra. The doc makes a very compelling against the excessive incarceration of non-violent drug offenders. However, I do wish Booth had focused a little more time on showing the benefits of treatment over imprisonment for addicts.

But still Booth does cover a lot of ground and comes down on the right side of this important issue. I would especially encourage those unsure of their opinion on the drug war to watch this doc as they will likely learn a great deal of new information. Recommended.