The House I Live In by Eugene Jarecki - Movie Review Example

The house I live in is a movie directed by Eugene Jarecki, the movie talks about the war on drugs by the government of America. In the movie content, there is an indication that the director is personally attacking the government concerning the formula being used to fight the drug problem. In his opinion, the formula used is really a wasteful of public resources through introduction of building and construction to build cells and prisons. The war on drugs should neither be racially conducted nor target specific group of people or an individual. Eugene. J (Producer and Director). ( 2012). Why We Fight and The Trials of Henry Kissinger (film). Drug and substance abuse is a problem that can be medically solved and should not be perceived as a crime. This is the main reason why most governments have come up with policies to control the situation within the society. In this review, the focus is on the American government and the ant drug policy formed to contain the situation. The policy is a good move that has created impressions among many people and if it is implemented properly, the problem will be contained and there shall be success in the fight against drug use. Even though this is a good move, there has been an increase of drug use among many citizens and this is an indication that there is failure in the fight. People have different insights about the war on drug; however, this depends on the formula used to tackle the problem and how an individual views it. This is what will make an individual learn and gain understanding about the war on drug. Based on the movie, there are new insights that can be learned. To begin with, the anti- drug policy can create more positive impacts to the nation if the authority implements it well; it is a chance for reflection. Drug addiction is increasing day by day in the United States of America; the usage is too much and should be declared a national disaster. The concerned authority and citizens should join hands to address this issue before getting out of control. There are different things that can be done reduce the addiction. These include conducting seminars to enlighten the society on dangers and negative effects to the lives of the people, include the drug and substance abuse in the school syllabus to enable students to learn it right from the class. On the other hand, it is the responsibility of each citizen to ensure that they stay away from the drug and concentrate with the activities that help in building the economy. A part from these, there are also many more things that can be used to address the issue, they include use of sports and other social activities within the society. Drug abuse is an international issue that affects many nations. In California State, there are social and character effects on the use of drugs. However, these effects can be similar but with a difference in response to psychology according to the content of the drug consumed. As a result of this; many people have lost their loved ones due to health effects such as chronic problems. This has traumatized the families of the deceased and in many the society as a whole. Children have been left orphans and many of them continue to flock the streets thereby causing insecurity. Economy has also been affected, the funds spend on the fight against drug use should have been used to fund development projects to increase economic growth. The government has spent a hefty cash on the fight against the drug, however, this cannot create positive impact if the citizens together with the authorities does not work together to ensure that the policies formed and other measures put in place to control the problem are followed to the letter. Success can only be realized if everybody joins hands in the fight. In connection to drug cases, many people have been put in prisons for rehabilitation. Even though this is a good effort, it is important to set up rehabilitation centers for the addicts instead of taking them to prisons. This will provide a room for good counseling to the addicts and facilitates a quick change of behavior among many of them. Prisons should only be meant for offenders but not for drug addicts. If this is put into action, the funds serve a good purpose for the right people within our nation. The fight against drug use is a worthy cause that should be strongly supported. However, if the society could have not been experiencing the problem, the funds set for the fight, if can be reinvested back in the society to fund other projects, the society can really change and make a great move in terms of economic growth. Bernards, N. (1990). There will be many job opportunities to the citizens. If there are many jobs, the living standard will definitely improve hence no poverty will be felt in the society. Government will also benefit a lot in revenue collection from the end results of the projects such as businesses. The increase in the number of crime involving the use of drugs in United State of America can be reduced by use of different agencies. In this case, social workers are more effective due to the nature of training and their work. To help the addicts, counseling proves to be the best way to tackle the problem. Eldredge, D. C. (1998). . A social worker purpose is to improve the well- being of human being and assist in meeting the basic needs to individual with particular and special attention. In this case, the addicts need special attention therefore; social workers stand to be the best in performing this task. Based on the movie, son of Jeter Nannie who was a house help for the movie producer was destroyed by the use of drugs. He advocated for fair treatment of the African-American drug users who were referred to as “a holocaust in slow motion”. This is an example of social working that if used on the addicts can help in the reduction of crime. Racism and ethnicity has also been talked about in the movie, in this case, the movie tittle clearly explains the idea of racism and may be discrimination to some extent. In relation to social workers mission, they are in the best position to handle these issues. Johnson, J. J. (1990). Report of Agency visit and interview on the fight against drug The visit was specifically to the non- profit agency that had majority of social workers as the staff. This is indeed a perfect idea for the founders to have social workers in their organization since majority of the social workers put into practice discipline in their multi task job. This creates ease during working session in conjunction with other health practitioners and the government. Their main objective is to realize a positive result at the end of the duty. In the visit to Eliot Community Human Services in Lexington, Jane Kay the C.E.O, telephone number 781 861 0890and email address janekay20@gmx.com , explained and gave all the details, the work, and mission of the Agency. A part from being the CEO, she also doubles up as a social worker and therefore precise information was obtained. The brief report is as follows: Eliot Community Human Services, Box number 180 Bedford Street, Lexington, phone number: 781 862 0892, email address: Care@eliotchs.org, anon-profit Agency that is dedicated to provide full support and treatment to vulnerable individuals of all ages. This is derived from the mission statement that also has the same content. According to Jane’s explanations, the people who seek their services are patients who have special needs such as drug and substance abuse counseling, elder care and those with mental orders. In response to these needs, the agency provide the patients with the necessary help such as providing food to the elderly persons, providing a proper health care advice to the addicts. At the agency, drug addicts makes (50%), the highest number of group of people who seek the services of Eliot followed by racial and ethnic minorities (40%), and the elderly at 10 percent. In terms of the total cost spend annually in providing the services, here is the breakdown: Drug addicts (approximately 50 people per month) $20 x 50= $ 1000 x 30= $ 30 000 (per month), $ 30 00 x 12= $ 360 000 Racial and Ethnic minorities (20 people per month) $15 x 20= $ 300, $ 300 x 30= $ 9000, $ 9000 x 12= $ 108 000 Elderly (15 people per month) $ 20 x 15= $ 300 x 30= $ 9000 x 12= $ 108 000 Total cost spent annually is $ 576 000. The amount spent on the services is too high and Jane revealed that most of the funds come from well -wishers and the relevant government bodies have of great support to the Agency. There is no clear percentage of funds from each source according to the information revealed by Jane hence making it difficult to come up with a clear figure. In the process interview, it is revealed that the Agency does not offer their service to Lesbians and gays due to their religious believe and what they agitate for in their core values. A part from Eliot Community, there many non-profit Agencies that offer the same services. These include Nova Scotia, Smart Recovery, Mothers against Drunk driving, Hope Haven and many more agencies. Just like in any organized institution; these agencies have chain of command for the easy undertaking duties. In Eliot Community Human Services, the C.E.O is the senior officer that gives directives followed by other officers such as operations Manager and Human Resource Manager. Within the Eliot Community, there is an organization for the top most officials who are considered to be the decision makers within the institution. They are the determining factor within, since most activities are viewed to be successful because of their effort. However, they can affect the Agency in a negative way if a wrong decision is made. In terms of policy making, the service providers have a bigger role to play, they understand the problem more than other stakeholders since they are in touch with those are in need of the service. This is one of the reasons as to why Eliot has no board members. The service providers themselves have been given that role and they feel valued and honored for being given that mandate. This is a motivating factor to the service providers (employees) and gives morale to the majority of them. Despite success in many areas, the Agency still feels that it has not met the target; to eradicate drug abuse in the society. The Agency has operated smoothly for many years now; this is attributed to the good structures put in place to run it. There is a personnel handbook that contains the policies and procedures of how the operation of the Agency is carried out. Good service provision to the community has indeed lifted the image of Eliot Community Human Services. Good public relationship is also one of the major factors that have built the image of this organization. Therefore, it is important to offer excellent service to the people to continue enjoy good relationship with the society. In the previous years, the number of volunteer staff has increased due to good working environment that the management provides. It is one of the reasons that contributed to success of the Agency. The outcome result in this case has always been positive and the management has termed it as an achievement. This is due to the method and process used in evaluating the outcomes, the increase of the patients visiting the Agency is an indication of a good outcome. In conclusion, the work done by the Agency is really impressive and will definitely transform the lives of many people within the society. The structures used are also superb, it has enabled the Agency to make the Agency touch many lives and even the staffs who discharge their duties tirelessly to save lives. Indeed, the work done is excellent and with this movement, the world will change to be a better place for all. In the movie, it is clear that it is an intention of the America to have the addicts on jail due to the fact that this boosts the economy as a result of fines obtained from the victims. It is indeed an issue that needs to be checked. Kronenwetter, M. (1990). The movie explains the ant-drug rules that are strictly harsh to the addicts. The movie criticizes the harsh laws put in place to combat the use of drug, but strongly support the fight against drug. Reference Eugene. J (Producer and Director). ( 2012). Why We Fight and The Trials of Henry Kissinger (film). Bernards, N. (1990). War on drugs: Opposing viewpoints. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press. Eldredge, D. C. (1998). Ending the war on drugs: A solution for America. Bridgehampton, N.Y: Bridge Works Pub. Co. Johnson, J. J. (1990). Americas war on drugs. New York: F. Watts. Kronenwetter, M. (1990). Drugs in America: The users, the suppliers, the war on drugs. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: J. Messner Eldredge, D. C., Riggenbach, J., & Blackstone Audiobooks. (2007). Ending the war on drugs: [a solution for America]. Ashland, Or.: Blackstone Audiobooks. Valentine, D. (2004). The strength of the wolf: The secret history of Americas war on drugs. London: Verso. Read More