Discuss What does the quote tell you about the drug war or the US criminal justice system

The three quotes below come directly from the film. Choose ONE of them to reflect upon while answering the following questions:

1. How does the quote make you feel? LIST 1-3 words.

2. What does the quote tell you about the drug war &/or the U.S. criminal justice system?

3. How does the quote fit into the sociology of deviance?

4. Address the bold face statement/question at the end of the quote you chose.

IMPORTANT: PLEASE COPY AND PASTE YOUR QUOTE TO THE TOP OF YOUR PAPER. I WILL DEDUCT 5 POINTS FROM YOUR GRADE IF THE QUOTE IS NOT INCLUDED.

1.“The thing about the war on drugs is…and the question we have to ask is not why is it a failure, but why – given that it seems to be a failure – why is it persistent? And I’m beginning to think maybe it’s a success…What if it’s a success by keeping police forces busy? What if it’s a success by keeping private jails thriving? What if it’s a success in keeping the legal system justified in its sub-generated activity? Maybe it’s a success on different terms than publicly stated ones?” Considering that the drug war could indeed be a “success,” who does it benefit in society? Discuss. Incorporate Chambliss’ legal reality theory into your response.

2. “Let’s say it this way ‘cause it’s more honest. Instead of saying let’s get rid of all the drug addicts and drug dealers, and once we throw away the key on them, we’ve solved this problem… Why don’t you try saying it to yourself this way? All these Americans that we don’t need anymore – the factories are closed – we don’t need ‘em, you know, the textile mills, they’re gone, GM is closing plants. We don’t need the people…they’re extra Americans. We don’t need ‘em. Let’s just get rid of the bottom 15% of our country. Let’s lock ‘em up. In fact, let’s see if we can make money off locking them up in the short term… Even though it’s going to be an incredible burden on society. Even though it’s gonna destroy those families, you know, where these people are probably integral to the lives of other Americans, let’s just get rid of them. You know what, and at that point, why don’t you just say, kill the poor? We’re gonna be a lot better off. Because this is what the drug war’s become. Use the five links in the chain of destruction covered by Historian, Richard Miller, to discuss what this quote means to you.

3. “You have to understand the war on drugs has never been about drugs.” Historical patterns have revealed time & again that anti-drug laws have always been associated with race. Use the crack scare as well as Quinney’s social reality of crime theory to discuss what this quote means to you.