DRUG LAWS IN NEW JERSEY: THE WAR ON DRUGS

In 1999, fifty African-American men and women, who constituted 80% of the population of Tulia Texas, were arrested for drug related offenses. The motivating force behind these arrest was a rogue cop who later offered false testimony at trial to secure their convictions.

This dark tale of official misconduct was first exposed by an investigative reporter and as a result of the dogged effort of a capable legal team, the group was ultimately released and pardoned.

The story is now part of a book titled “Tulia : Cocaine and Corruption in a Small Texas Town”. This book  was written by the investigative reporter who uncovered the legal travisty.  His name was Nate Blaksley. The basic theme of the book and a new movie soon to be released, is that the social and political hysteria created by the so called “Drug War” has diluted some of the most basic safeguards provided to Americans who are accused of a crime, especially ones that relate to drugs.