July/August 2009 Issue

The Drug War, By the Numbers

Where the money went.

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Federal anti-drug spending, 1981-2009 (in billions)

Federal anti-drug spending, 1981-2009 (in billions)

Percentage of drug arrests targeting:

Percentage of drug arrests targeting

Share of possession arrests that are for:

Share of possession arrests that are for

Prison inmates getting drug treatment

Prison inmates getting drug treatment

Drug offenders behind bars

Drug offenders behind bars


Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics; Department of Justice; FBI; ONDCP

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“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

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