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An American biographical film detailing the story of Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey). Woodroof is an AIDS patient who filed a lawsuit against the FDA in order to gain access to AIDS medicine drugs. The movie brilliantly depicts the struggles of AIDS patients in the midst of the War on Drugs. Through the brilliant storytelling of Woodroof's struggles, the movie speaks on the economic oppression of AIDS patients attempting to get legal treatment in face of the FDA's new regulations stating that any unapproved drug is illegal. This was an important film that brought awareness to the struggles of AIDS patients during the war on drugs and went on to win Academy Awards.

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This documentary brilliantly starts out as a mock guide to being a successful drug pusher. It explains how drug dealers. smugglers, kingpins, and drug lords make their money and details the risks involved with the lifestyle. This ultimately sets up the true aim of the documentary. The film then seriously illustrates what perpetrates the War on Drugs in a scathing critique. This documentary was really well done, and the mock guide really captures the viewers' attention in order to deliver their actual message. Famous faces such as Woody Harrelson, 50 Cent, Eminem, and Susan Sarandon can be seen interviewed throughout the documentary.

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Classification of Drugs Levels of Harm versus Levels of Control

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Classification of Drugs Levels of Harm versus Levels of Control

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This chart from the Global Commission on Drug Policy (but linked to the Washington Post here for good quality) brilliantly demonstrates the absurd drug policy, as Cannabis (weed), is shown to be fairly harmless, but is treated by the UN as "most dangerous", most likely an effect of the War on Drugs. Additionally, alcohol and tobacco are depicted as pretty harmful, but are legal and "aren't subject to international control".

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"Ten Crack Commandments" by The Notorious B.I.G.

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"Ten Crack Commandments" by The Notorious B.I.G.

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The song "Ten Crack Commandments" details the rules to sell crack cocaine in the format of the biblical 10 commandments. The thrilling nature of the song emphasizes the alluring but dangerous nature of selling drugs. The song makes selling crack sound like a game while still being brutally honest about the dangers and harsh reality behind selling crack and being involved with such business. Biggie did a great job with balancing the alluring nature of such a lifestyle while still disputing young listeners who might have wanted to get involved with his honesty.

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This buddy cop comedy action film follows two undercover police officers assigned to a high school to prevent the outbreak of a new synthetic drug and arrest its supplier. While fictional and absurd, the film discusses problems like drug addiction and drug dealing within teens, and how the government (like the DEA in this film) is involved. It also discusses how drug dealing quickly turns into a drug operation, with the implementation of the motorcycle gang being involved with the PE teacher's operation. Overall this film was hilarious and made drug policy information easy to digest.

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We're kicking off a new series here on Insider Envy, in which we'll be reviewing our favorite movies available on the STARZ App. Right now, you can sign up for just $25 for 6 months of entertainment. There are over 1,600 movies and shows to watch!

Week of 4/06:

Starring: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum

Genre: Comedy

Rating: 8/10

Family-Friendly: No

On the surface, 21 Jump Street is a somewhat corny tale of two low-grade cops who go undercover at a local high school in an attempt to thwart an elusive drug ring. What lies beneath, though, is an absolutely hysterical story of two adult best friends reliving some of the most awkward times of our lives (high school). Jonah Hill has always been one of my favorites - the guy is simply hilarious, but Channing Tatum puts on a surprisingly funny performance, particularly with his " held forward " quip. Overall, whether you've seen this movie before or not, it's absolutely worth watching and will provide some levity during uncertain times.

At InsiderEnvy we only promote products we love. We participate in a small number of affiliate programs, meaning we may receive compensation when you buy items after clicking a link on InsiderEnvy. We appreciate your support!

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STARZ Movie of the Week Review: 21 Jump Street - Insider Envy

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We're kicking off a new series here on Insider Envy, in which we'll be reviewing our favorite movies available on the STARZ App. Right now, you can sign up for just $25 for 6 months of entertainment. There are over 1,600 movies and shows to watch!

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The fourth amendment reads: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

Despite this, during the War on Drugs, courts allowed suspicious drug testing of students and private employees. The State of Michigan almost got away with conducting random drug testing of individuals on welfare too! Surprise, court-approved raids on people's homes in name of drug policing have skyrocketed over recent years, affirming the long-lasting effects of the drug war on society.

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The Fourteenth Amendment & The War on Drugs

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The Fourteenth Amendment & The War on Drugs

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The Fourteenth Amendment provides equal protection to all citizens, which is regulated by the states (it demands that the states do this) and protects people from being discriminated against due to race or age.

Obviously, with the War on Drugs disproportionally targeting black and brown communities, the Fourteenth Amendment was not upheld. An example of this is the War on Drugs predominately targeting the spread of crack cocaine, which was mainly prevalent in black and brown communities, but looking the other way when dealing with powder cocaine, which was prevalent in rich, white communities.

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U.S Drug Addition Rate versus U.S. Drug Control Spending.

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U.S Drug Addition Rate versus U.S. Drug Control Spending.

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This graphic from the Atlantic demonstrates the lasting effects of the War on Drugs, as shown with the rise of U.S. Drug Control Spending from 1988-1992. The graphic also demonstrates the unnecessary amounts of money the U.S. is spending on criminalizing drugs when the U.S. Drug Addiction rate isn't nearly as high as the Drug control spending from 1992-today.

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Punishment Does Not Cure Drug Addiction!

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Punishment Does Not Cure Drug Addiction!

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This infographic from visual.ly depicts helpful statistics that ultimately prove the inadequateness of drug policy specifically in Georgia. The statistics prove that punishment based methods of drug policy don't just fail to prolong abstinence of drugs from addicts but actually increases the number of drug users.

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Disproportionate Impact of Drug Laws on Black and Latino Communities

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Disproportionate Impact of Drug Laws on Black and Latino Communities

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This graph from drugpolicy.org simply illustrates the disproportionate targeting of black and brown communities due to the War on Drugs. The inclusion of the U.S. population statistic demonstrates that the vast majority of the population isn't being locked up at nearly the same rate as black and brown people are for drug related crimes.

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The drug policy in the US has been something that has been evolving throughout the years. It has affected the lives of many in negative ways, especially the Black, Latinx, and Native American communities. The development of the drug policies throughout history have been driven by the foundation of this country, slavery. It has been used to maintain power and continue to use free human labor. The upcoming sections will explore the steps the U.S. can begin taking towards the better and how people have been affected by drug policy.

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25/06/2020 Legal Affairs and Human Rights

On the occasion of World Drug Day and the Global Day of Action for the #SupportDontPunish Campaign, Assembly rapporteur Hannah Bardell (United Kingdom, NR) and rapporteur for opinion Joseph O'Reilly (Ireland, EPP/CD) called for European drug policies to be consistent with human rights standards and public health.

"We join the international call to improve knowledge on the effects of drug-related measures. It is time for greater solidarity, sustainability and care for the most vulnerable. We urge member States to review their response to the drug problem by using inclusive and evidence-based methods of assessment."

"The COVID-19 pandemic intensified the discrimination that people who use drugs face daily as a result of drug policies and practices in many countries. It is vital that adequate socio-economic support, healthcare and harm reduction services remain accessible for all. Places of detention are particularly high-risk environments and alternatives to incarceration must therefore be used as much as possible."

"The recent health crisis has shed a new light on the pressing need to provide equal and effective protection for people who use drugs," they stated.

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Drug policy: better knowledge for greater protection

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On the occasion of World Drug Day and the Global Day of Action for the #SupportDontPunish Campaign, Assembly rapporteur Hannah Bardell (United Kingdom, NR) and rapporteur for opinion Joseph O'Reilly (Ireland, EPP/CD) called for European drug policies to be consistent with human rights standards...

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In this story, a woman is very specifically affected by drug policy and by predispositions of prisoners who are majority people of color. In her story, her and other imprisoned people were checked for drugs, and their belongings were ripped through as if nothing. She is then accused of having drugs herself when they find powder in her cell. But she is confused and scared because she didn't have any and she was now being treated less of a human before. Not trusting her word and not allowing her to defend herself with a real drug test either. She is threatened with solitary confinement and made an example of in front of others.

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Willie Mays Aikens had a thriving baseball career. He made baseball history but later developed an addiction to crack cocaine. He sold it to an undercover police officer and later was arrested and was sent to a 21-year sentence. His story highlights the racial disparities between crack cocaine and powdered cocaine. His case was even used as an example to prove that the punishment for crack is cruel and unusual due to the difference between the sentencing of similar drugs. This has been a pattern for years where black communities are targeted for using certain drugs and sentenced for longer.

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Kemba Smith is a woman who was sentenced to 24.5 years in prison at the age of 24 years old. She was pregnant and was sentenced for being involved in her boyfriend's illegal drug activities. This sentence was half of her life and is a prime example of cruel and unusual punishment, and is an example of how people of color are sentenced for longer and are targeted to be sent to prison as long as possible for human labor, starting from the drug war. She knew of her boyfriend's actions but never did anything with the activities herself, but she still pled guilty.

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Ethan Nadelmann is a founder of the Drug Policy Alliance which is a widespread non-profit organization working to end the war on drugs. To do this there needs to be lots of drug policy reformation which is what they are fighting for. He is known as “the point man” for drug policy reform and he is working to bring justice to people of color through his work. Not only was he a founder for this organization but he has also been using his voice to raise awareness and speak on the issue. He has done a TedTalk with over two million views and it has 28 translations and he has also started a podcast where he talks about drug policy and other topics regarding issues on drugs.

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One reform initiative is to redirect resources. Resources need to be taken away from the support of criminalization and incarceration and towards healthcare, education, and rehabilitation. This will allow for a more just way within the criminal justice system and will hopefully promote rehabilitation. This will promote a more healthy way to integrate people back into society and not use prisons as a form of free human labor. Prisons cost over 1 billion dollars a year. Redirecting this money into rehabilitation, healthcare, and education will ultimately lead to less money spent on incarceration and more money that can go into other things.

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New information needs to be commissioned and spread to the public. It should be openly debated and new policy options should not be kept private. Policy options should be discussed between many people making it necessary to educate people on drug policy issues. The public needs to be educated but politicians should be as well.

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To allow for positive outcomes reform needs to begin at the foundation. Drug Policy should be redirected away from punishment and criminalization. It needs to be directed towards being health oriented, harm reducing, focused on human rights, and scientific evidence. This will stray away from stereotypes and predispositions of people and work towards bettering society instead of criminalizing society at any chance possible.

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