Despite hundreds of billions of dollars invested in the drug war, cocaine is cheaper and more available than ever. The war is now led by a general, Barry McCaffrey, who presides over a $16 billion budgetÑa lot more money than the U.S. spends for its poor and needy. Drug war critics cite ever-escalating costs, potential for corruption and erosion of civil liberties. The government now has broad powers to circumvent the Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures. February 24, 1998.

Dan Baum
Dan Baum has reported for The Wall Street Journal and Rolling Stone . His book on the drug war is Smoke and Mirrors.