Smoke And Mirrors Cloud 2003 White House Anti-Drug Budget

Common Sense For Drug Policy ^ | Feb. 13, 2003

[Wolfie]

Smoke And Mirrors Cloud 2003 White House Anti-Drug Budget

Washington, DC: Revised budget numbers released this week for the Bush Administration's 2003 "National Drug Control Strategy" are not what they seem, according to an analysis by Common Sense for Drug Policy and the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA). Both groups note that this year's budget deliberately conceals billions of dollars in law enforcement spending, while inflating expenditures on treatment services.

In 2002, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) announced, "The Administration will develop a new methodology for reporting the drug budget." As a result of this restructuring, this year's reported total budgetary expenditures total less than $12 billion dollars – far less than last year's record $19.2 billion budget. Nevertheless, ONDCP annual spending and priorities are little different than in years past.

"An analysis of the new budget numbers revealed that by hiding the costs of incarceration, military activities and other known costs of the drug war, the Office of National Drug Policy Control was able to bring their enforcement to treatment levels more into line with public sentiment," the DPA. The DPA further found that the ONDCP is inflating their spending on drug treatment programs by including funding for alcohol treatment, "which by law is specifically excluded from their scope of responsibilities."

Among drug-war related costs dropped from this year's budget is approximately $3 billion in funding associated with the incarceration of federal drug prisoners. The ONDCP claims that these costs have been excluded from the budget "based on the criterion that they are associated with the secondary consequences of the government's primary drug law enforcement and investigative activities."

NORML Foundation Executive Director Allen St. Pierre accused the White House of "hiding the ball" when it came to estimating the true cost of the government's war on drugs. "The ONDCP recognizes that they no longer enjoy the public’s trust and are incapable of crafting a functional drug policy that Americans support," he said. "As a result, they are now trying to conceal from taxpayers the true financial burden of their failed policies."

[Wolfie]

Makes sense. If you don't count the cost of imprisoning Federal drug law violators, the budget is bound to go down. But the spending won't.

[MrLeRoy]

"The Administration will develop a new methodology for reporting lie about the drug budget."

There, now that's correct.

[FreeTally]

So, are you telling me that the government is lying?

Color me shocked.

[Wolfie]

I'm sure they mean well. And its just hideous that obvious left-wing sympathizers like the people who wrote this report would point it out.

[FreeTally]

I guess the IRS wont mind if I don't report half my earnings from last year and inflate my deductions.

[steve50]

I guess the IRS wont mind if I don't report half my earnings from last year and inflate my deductions.

Just who do you think you are, Enron?

[Nick Thimmesch]

m

[Wolfie]

Just who do you think you are, Enron?

Heh...did you click on the source link?

[steve50]

No, must have been remote viewing.

[jmc813]

WOD Ping

[dcwusmc]

Thanks for the ping. Where are the WODDIES? I'm sure this is of interest to them....

[robertpaulsen]

Yawn.

[MrLeRoy]

If it was Education or HHS pulling these stunts they'd be up in arms. But the WOD can do no wrong.

[dcwusmc]

Your attention is called to this: (Click)

Your response is requested.

[dcwusmc]

Indeed. However, it's all a big yawn because it's their pet people-control program. Pity.

[philman_36]

"The Administration will develop a new methodology for reporting the drug budget."
"Nothing up the sleeve..."

[philman_36]

Yawn.
Trolling for flies? Try wiggling your tongue a little...

[unspun]

We would save s-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o much if drugs of all kinds were available at the corner store. Life would be so much better for everyone. Afterall, we've evolved into a new life form and no longer need laws to keep us in check. We are no longer mankind. We are Libertarian.

[budwiesest]

and no longer need laws to keep us in check

Is this what laws are written to do, keep us in check? Do you shower, brush your teeth, and wear deodorant? If so, perhaps you could direct me toward the laws that dictate such.

[philman_36]

Well, lets look at today's (yesterday's) stats...
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Oh no, no agenda...