"The House I Live In": New Film Exposes Economic, Moral Failure of U.S. War on Drugs. 2 of 2

democracynow.org - This weekend the top documentary prize at the Sundance Film Festival went to "The House I Live In," which questions why the United States has spent more than $1 trillion on drug arrests in the past 40 years, and yet drugs are cheaper, purer, and more available today than ever. The film examines the economic, as well as the moral and practical, failures of the so-called "war on drugs," and calls on the United States to approach drug abuse not as a "war," but as a matter of public health. We need "a very changed dialogue in this country that understands drugs as a public health concern and not a criminal justice concern," says the film's Director Eugene Jarecki. "That means the system has to say, 'We were wrong.'" We also speak with Nannie Jeter, who helped raise Jarecki as her own son succumbed to drug addiction and is highlighted in the film. We air clips from the film, featuring Michelle Alexander, author of "The New Jim Crow;" Canadian physician and bestselling author, Gabor Maté; and David Simon, creator of "The Wire."

Watch Part 1 of 2: http://youtu.be/I1UMvLYVDP4

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Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• democracy now
• dn
• headlines
• news
• politics
• amy goodman
• sundance
• drugs
• Eugene Jarecki
• war on drugs
• The New Jim Crow
• Gabor Maté
• David Simon
• Michelle Alexander

[bnewton81]

War on Drugs. Sounds like a war that anyone can get behind right? This "war" has goals that would surprise you. It is in no way a priority to decrease drug crimes in this country. I have lost a decade of my life to this war, and now am near unemployable. Drugs are a symptom of a much larger problem in this country.

[worldofdancetheater]

Beautiful. These two people were meant to find each other. Nanny's personal family tragedy inspired Eugene's compassion and his great love for her exposed this destructive industry. Great job on the interview, Amy, by proposing a solution. Thank you for this wonderful film Eugene. You can never change what happened to Nanny's family but you have changed the future of many families.

[ABevs1]

@BrotherWoody1 No he wont because he doesn't stand a chance of winning.

[crystalpersuasion148]

Very touching and a very important film for all to see. Thank you, Amy for the interview.

[BrotherWoody1]

President Ron Paul will put an end to this travesty.

[newdimensionfilms]

WHERE CAN I GET A COPY OF THIS FILM

[Licmycat]

Public official's HATE CRIMES!! Anti-Americans! Bust'EM! Domestic terrorists!

[organdva]

Cops are needed to protect wealth. Vast majority is usbordinate to wealth. And they could rebel. So you need a force big enoug to supress that if necessary. In the meantime, this force need to do something, right? Rescuing cats from the trees, fighting victimless crime, saving donuts from going bad etc.

[Licmycat]

This is also why those greedy pigs are against healthcare. I see no other reason besides HATE and Greed cocktail.

[Licmycat]

This is a war on the American people little different just more money or new way for the evil greedy to steal it....let's say it the way we see it: These 'illegal' drug laws are HATE CRIMES! JAIL those liars!