cannabisnews.com: NPR News and PBS FRONTLINE Special Report NPR News and PBS FRONTLINE Special Report Posted by FoM on October 05, 2000 at 11:15:13 PT NPR News Special Series War on Drugs Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch During the week of Oct. 9, National Public Radio and PBS FRONTLINE will collaborate to offer two separate reports on the national war on drugs. NPR will provide a fresh perspective on U.S. drug war policy with a special five-part series, ``War On Drugs,'' airing on All Things Considered from NPR News. Correspondent Deborah Amos examines issues relating to the drug wars and adds new insight to the international debate. The PBS FRONTLINE series ``Drug Wars'' will air on PBS, Monday, Oct. 9, and Tuesday, Oct. 10, both at 9 p.m. (check local listings).In the first segment of the NPR News series airing on Oct. 9, Amos provides an overview: During the 30-year war on drugs, Americans have paid a heavy price, not only financially -- the drug enforcement budget is now 40 billion dollars -- but also with their civil liberties -- laws that turn ``innocent until proven guilty'' on its head. This series from NPR News aims to explore why, after 30 years of effort and billions in expenditures, America's war on drugs has no victory in sight.The United States' efforts to stop drug trafficking have long been dependent on work it conducts overseas. This includes interdiction of drugs in international waters; extradition of drug kingpins from their home countries; eradication of drug crops on foreign soil; and training and assisting foreign police and military forces in stopping drug production and distribution. On Oct. 10, Amos continues her exploration as she focuses on Mexico and how commercial trade is more important than drug interdiction.The ability of the United States government to stop illegal drugs is daunted by the size and power of the international narcotics business. On Oct. 11, Amos examines drug money and the sophisticated methods drug traffickers use to launder profits and hide their profits from law enforcement officials.On Oct. 12, Amos explores the issue of corrupting influence of the war on drugs by those who fight it -- the paid informants and the police who have found profit in it.The debate surrounding the war on drugs has mainly been between those who primarily advocate treating the drug problem as a public health issue and those who more fundamentally advocate strong law enforcement solutions. In the fifth and final segment on Oct. 13, Amos will examine how the failure of enforcement policies to end drug demand and availability is leading to a re-evaluation of the benefits of treatment over incarceration.In addition to her work with NPR, Deborah Amos is a correspondent for ABC News.The NPR News special series ``War on Drugs'' will air Monday, Oct. 9, though Friday, Oct. 13 on All Things Considered. For nationwide station information and broadcast times please visit NPR's Web Site at: http://www.npr.org/ The PBS FRONTLINE special ``Drug Wars'' will air on PBS stations Monday, Oct. 9, and Tuesday, Oct. 10, both at 9 p.m.As PBS's premier public affairs series, FRONTLINE is the recognized leader in producing compelling programs that explore the stories and issues of our times. Now beginning its 19th season, FRONTLINE has established a solid record for accuracy, objectivity and integrity unmatched by any television news program. That reputation for sound editorial judgment and intelligent journalism has earned the series critical acclaim and countless broadcast journalism honors.Renowned for its journalistic excellence and standard-setting news, information and cultural programming, NPR serves a growing audience of nearly 15 million Americans each week via more than 644 public radio stations. NPR also distributes programming to listeners in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa via NPR Worldwidesm, to military installations overseas via American Forces Network, and throughout Japan via cable.Note: Collaboration Provides Fresh Perspective on the National War on Drugs. Washington, Oct. 5 - U.S. NewswireContact: Tracey Terry of NPR: 202-414-2308E-mail: tterry npr.orgor Chris Kelly of Frontline, 617-300-5374Web Posted: October 5, 2000© 2000 St. Louis Post-Dispatch, postnet.com Related Article & Web Site:Drug Wars: NPR News and PBS FRONTLINE Special Reporthttp://www.pbs.org/frontline/shows/drugs/A Frontline Series in Collaboration with NPRhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7230.shtmlWatch The Promo:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/promos/1902.ram END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by kaptinemo on October 05, 2000 at 17:35:52 PT: Seed crystals Know how to grow a crystal? You generally take a small shard of a crystal and suspend it in a super-rich solution of the element you are trying to adhere to the base or core shard.That's what is happening with the Internet and reformers. The idea is there, the basic core, the knowledge of the origins and costs of the DrugWar to society. The Internet is providing the saturation solution needed to cause reformers to come together, share knowledge, coordinate activity. And if the crystal grows too large, it can eventually cause the jar holding it to crack, and shatter.But nature has even stranger surprises; ever wonder how a plant can buckle a piece of concrete sidewalk? The principle is called 'turgor'; gradual pressure builds up, sometimes over decades, more and more, until the cells of the plant are actually harder than the surface against which they are pushing.The Good Doctor is only too right that these programs are more aimed at the 'intelligentsia' of our populace, who already are, for the most part, in agreement with us. But just like the seed crystal, or the blade of grass growing under the sidewalk, these programs will have roughly the same effect as Dan Gardner's masterful critiques of the DrugWar had Up North. Many who hadn't cared one way or another, secure in their suppositions, will be forced to, if only briefly, reconsider the basis of their beliefs. It may plant a seed that eventually causes the DrugWar edifice to increase the number of cracks it has. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on October 05, 2000 at 13:01:13 PT: Small Steps I look forward to these broadcasts. The problem is that they tend to appeal to the intelligentsia and those already convinced that the War on Drugs is a potentially fatal wedge being inserted into the heart of democracy. The bureaucrats and politicians will not watch, since they will already have passed out with their cognac, cigars and whores. Such is the status of morality in Amerika. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: