Moyers on Addiction: The Politics of Addiction

The story of how our society meets the challenge of translating what scientists, doctors, counselors, and recovering addicts have learned into rational public policy is complex and sometimes contradictory. This program looks at Arizona's recent struggle to find an alternative to current policies. Proposition 200 proposed a reassessment of the status of nonviolent drug addicts now serving time, and emphasized treatment over incarceration. The movement was supported by an alliance from across the political spectrum. On the Washington scene, members of Congress, doctors, and policy activists have joined in a movement with recovering people that is pushing for new public policy.