The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "War on Drugs" ...
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Truthout on the Border
The true intent of United States Foreign Policy in regards to the war on drugs in Mexico and Latin America is hidden behind many pantallas (screens in Spanish). In ten installments, posted in the first half of 2012, the Truthout on the Mexican Border series exposed the unofficial intentions of the US war on drugs in Latin America and its deadly impact. By connecting the dots in ten successively posted articles, the war on drugs appears to be a screen behind which goals of US military and economic hegemony can more easily be achieved in Latin American nations. Many Mexicans know that when it comes to corruption, drugs and crime in their nation, las pantallas usually prevent them from knowing the truth. The same is true of the US war on drugs, which has resulted in deaths and disappearances that are estimated to reach between 60,000 – 120,000 in the six year rule of Mexican President Felipe Calderón (ending on November 30, 2012). Truthout regularly covers US foreign policy and its impact in Latin America. The Truthout on the Mexican Border series was written to create a comprehensive understanding of what is behind the diplomatic and political screens – weaving in such seemingly diverse topics as US immigration and gun policies to understand the dark underside of US hemispheric intentions in Mexico and Latin America.
Tags: U.S.; foreign policy; Mexico; Latin America; drug war; corruption; crime
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War Zone: The Destruction of an All-American City
The hour-long documentary War Zone: The Destruction of an All-American City takes an unprecedented look at the impact of corruption on the East St. Louis, Illinois area, one of the poorest and most violent communities in America. The program was broadcast twice during prime time; Tuesday night at 8 pm on August 28, and the following Saturday night at 7 pm. This project was the result of an ongoing decade-long probe of government waste, corruption, police misconduct, and violence in East St. Louis and the surrounding villages by investigative reporter Craig Cheatham. Our documentary begins with a detailed look at police misconduct and corruption, how it has contributed to the breakdown of public safety in the East St. Louis area, and why local politicians tolerated such outrageous behavior by their officers. The second part of our documentary focuses on the impact of derelict and vacant housing, the slumlords who own the property and the people who live in some of the worst housing in the metro area. Our investigation also uncovered new connections between politicians and legendary slumlord Ed Sieron, who was business partners with a longtime mayor. In addition, KMOV revealed that of the 500 mostly rundown properties that Sieron owns in East St. Louis, only 13 were cited for code violations. That lack of accountability for the notorious slumlord, empowered him and made the people living in his homes feel powerless. War Zone also exposes the way East St. Louis communities have sold their economy to vice-driven businesses like strip clubs, liquor stores, a casino, and convenience marts that had a long history of selling illegal synthetic drugs. Our investigation found that nearly all of these businesses failed to employ a significant number of East St. Louis residents, even though they received millions of dollars in tax incentives that are paid by East St. Louis residents. At the same time East St. Louis is handing out tax breaks to wealthy out-of-town businessmen, it repeatedly refused to provide the same tax incentives for local residents who wanted to create family friendly businesses that would employ people living in the East St. Louis area.
Tags: government corruption; police misconduct; violence; politicians; community; local business
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A Lethal Dose- The War On Synthetic Drugs
The Star Tribune broke new ground with its investigation of the shadowy world of synthetic drugs, which quickly emerged as a substantial public health threat in 2011. Though these substances have been touted as "safe and legal," the drugs have provoked unusually violent behavior and deadly consequences.
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"Brian Ross Investigates: CIA Shoot-Down - 10 years later
Ten years after the CIA "mistakenly ordered the shoot down" of a plane full of U.S. missionaries, Brian Ross and his team exposed a "major" cover-up by the CIA. The order to shoot down the plane resulted in the death of a mother and her young child and injured three other people. In an attempt to hide their mistakes, the CIA "misled the federal government and the public."
Tags: CIA; missionary; Peru; War on Drugs
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Blood Trade: Memphis and the Mexican Drug War
A man in Memphis plays a crucial role in funding a violent Mexican drug cartel that ships cocaine and marijuana around the U.S. In an unprecedented investigation, the reporter travels with Mexican sources involved in the drug cartel, giving American readers the chance to see the Mexican side of the story.
Tags: Mexico; drug cartel; drug trade; drug war; Memphis
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Failed Drug Wars
The war on drugs has cost the United States $1 trillion dollars and hundreds of thousands of lives. Yet, the drug use and violence is even more rampant that is was forty years ago. The AP reports from the front lines of the drug war in Mexico to determine why the U.S. is still losing this battle.
Tags: drugs; drug war; war on drugs; Mexico; Mexico border
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"Failed Drug War"
The AP launched an investigation to determine whether or not the policies put into place by the U.S. War on Drugs were working. By using 40 years worth of FOIAed federal health surveys and drug strategies, and by interviewing members of Congress involved in the voting on drug policies, the AP concluded that the drug war has failed. Some sources interviewed for the story suggested that the problem has actually intensified.
Tags: FOIA; drug cartels; Mexico; U.S. War on Drugs; Justice Department; Centers for Disease Control; National Drug Control Policy; Gil Kerlikowske
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"The War Next Door"
Violence has increased in Mexico as the government cracks down on the drug cartels. Murders and kidnappings have increased, and Mexican citizens are afraid to leave their homes. Interviews with the Mexican Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security reveal the role of the U.S. in combating the problem. A jailhouse interview with a prominent female drug smuggler gives insight to the workings of the drug trafficking world.
Tags: Sandra Avila Beltran; drug smuggling; drug cartel; Mexico; Janet Napolitano; Medina Mora; cocaine; Columbia
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"Mexico Drug Wars"
AP reporters investigate how repercussions of the Mexican drug wars have mowed over the border and have settled on U.S. soil. They also reveal that the U.S. is the biggest supplier of weapons to the "gangsters" and also offers drug lords a lucrative market.
Tags: Mexican border; drug violence; drug lord; Ciudad Juarez; Tijuana; drug cartels
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Buy and Bust: New York City's War on Drugs at 40
In this collection, it explores the four major drugs that have affected New York City. These are heroin, cocaine, crack, and marijuana, which tell part of the story of the past four decades. They “traced each drug’s introduction into the city, their era of popularity, key players, law enforcement efforts, prosecution, treatment efforts, current use levels, and prices, etc.” Also, they found that there are as many hard-core users today as there were over the past 40 years.
Tags: New York City; drugs; drug war; heroin; cocaine; crack; marijuana; arrests