Drug policy of the United States

President Obama’s drug czar Gil Kerlikowski talks to The Takeaway about fighting drug cartels and the need for public education about the dangers of prescription painkillers.

The Obama administration’s new drug czar, Gil Kerlikowske wants to get rid of the term “war on drugs” and focus more on treatment instead. To discuss the implications of this possible policy shift is Glenn Greenwald, a columnist for Salon.com.

A new report from The Sentencing Project reveals a changing demographic of prisoners who are incarcerated for drug charges. To guide us through what these numbers mean, The Takeaway is joined by David Fathi, director of Human Rights Watch in the U.S.

Orlando de Guzman reports from Bangkok that Thailand is launching a second ‘war on drugs;’ five years ago the country drew international condemnation when its first anti-drugs campaign resulted in the death of more than two-thousand people.

The Bush Administration is proposing a $500,000,000 dollar aid package to help Mexico tackle its violent drug cartels. It’s a lot of money and Mexico needs the help. But Mexicans are divided on the plan. The World’s Lorne Matalon reports from Mexico City.