Bush's drug program: Build more prisons

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Bush's so-called "drug program" is being used to legitimize attacks on democratic rights of Black community through police repression.

For those of us who somehow believed in George Bush's "kinder and gentler nation," his "new" drug program (with the aid of drug Czar William Bennett) should set the record straight.

As tens of thousands seek help in social-aid programs and are turned away for lack of funds, Bush says it's time to build more jails. Never mind that there is no better training ground for criminals than our existing penal system.

Shortly after the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan, a new drug appeared called "crack." This highly addictive drug overran impoverished ghettos and created a new economic base for the large numbers of unemployed youth. This coincided with massive cuts of funding for drug-rehabilitation centers and other social programs. Meanwhile, the CIA was sending planeloads of cocaine into this country as part of its drive to aid the Nicaraguan contras.

As vice president, Bush was the director of Reagan's anti-drug program. Bush has been publicly associated with some of the world's largest illegal drug suppliers while privately owning large amounts of stock in the drug firm Eli Lilly. (Bush never mentions that three times as many people die each year from prescription drugs than from all illegal drugs combined.)

In September, Bush's drug speech was aired on national television. He held in front of us a bag of crack which his advisers had used to lure a Black teenager to make the sale across the street from the White House.

While Bush made clear where the crack had been bought, he never told the American public why millions opt to self-destruct. Not a word about poverty, unemployment, or lack of job training and skilled jobs. No mention of the growing gap between rich and poor, decaying urban areas, and the deteriorating social and family fabric—while social programs are dismantled.

Heightened police repression

As if this were not enough, civil liberties have been stripped away-especially in the Black community. Recent actions include evictions without trial for tenants suspected of drug dealing, the National Guard used at the border and other entry points, increased drug testing in workplaces and schools, loss of federal benefits and fines up to $10,000 for even a single joint of pot, and the death penalty for murders that are drug related.

Certain states will seize autos and other property if contraband is found. Roadblocks are set up (often in poor areas) for drug searches, attorneys are subpoenaed to testify against clients, and police are given the ability to search people in public places if they look suspicious. The Miranda ruling for illeLarry Downing-Newsweek gal search and seizure has been weakened—as long as the officer is acting in "good faith."

A significant illustration of these rulings working together is an event which occurred