| January 28, 2000 #134 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Table of Contents
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FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Volunteer Of The Month R. Givens | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOTE: This has been a busy week with a lot of drug war news
developments. Due to the length of this weeks newsletter we are
substituting our Volunteer of the Month feature for the usual feature
article. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Congratulations to R. Givens our Volunteer of the Month. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Givens has been actively supporting MAP since the very start,
through the writing of Letters to the Editor and other efforts. His
letters have been published in three countries and include the
following newspapers: Amarillo Globe-News, Austin-American Statesman,
Calgary Herald, Calgary Sun, Centre Daily Times, Chicago Tribune,
Colorado Daily, Daily Vidette, Edmonton Sun, Fairfield County Weekly,
Halifax Daily News, International Herald-Tribune, Irish Independent,
Our Times Santa Monica, Prince George's Journal, San Francisco Bay
Guardian, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner, Skagit
Valley Herald, Standard-Times, The European, The Sudbury Star, The Sun,
The Washington Monthly, Toronto Star, Victoria Times Colonist, and the
Wall Street Journal (3 times!) - plus probably a dozen or more that we
missed. Check out his published letters at: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
We asked Mr. Givens a few questions: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DS: You have been involved in drug policy reform issues for a while.
When and why did you become involved? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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I had no idea of how to express my indignation until Jack Herer came
along and I worked one of his petition drives. I've been escalating my
activities against narcomania ever since. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DS: How did you get into writing Letters to the Editor? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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DS: What do you consider the most significant story/issue of the past
months? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The increasingly hostile journalistic attitude toward narcomania is
probably the biggest thing happening because it is fueling so much
resistance to drug war insanity. This will only increase if we keep
fanning the flames. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If you want a specific item, the Hatch Act demonstrates the desperation
of the narcomaniacs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
It could be a last gasp before the pendulum begins swinging back. If
this lunatic legislation makes it through the House, we'll see if the
Supreme Court will allow different 1st Amendment standards for print
media and snail mail than the Internet. If they get away with censoring
the Internet........... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Everyone should hound their Representatives relentlessly to defeat this
Draconian legislation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DS: What are your favorite websites, besides the MAP/DrugSense sites? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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There are a dozen other good sites and I use them all. The Internet is
critical for ending drug prohibition and right now we OWN the net
drugwise. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DS: Is there anything else you would like to tell the readers of the
weekly? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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DS: Thank you, Mr. Givens, for all that you are doing! Your name will be added to the list of honored volunteers on the following web page within the next few days: http://www.drugsense.org/dswvol.htm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (1) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For a keen appraisal of the political status of drug policy reform- as
personified in our own political maverick- Mike Gray's assessment in
Rolling Stone is a must-read. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) MUTINY IN NEW MEXICO (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gov. Gary E. Johnson Is The Highest-ranking Elected Official To Blast
The War On Drugs. And The Most Unlikely: He's Not Just A Drug-Free,
Squeaky-Clean Triathlete, He's A REPUBLICAN | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
IN THIS AGE OF MACHINE-tooled politicians, Gov. Gary E. Johnson of New
Mexico is a throwback to the Jeffersonian ideal of the | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (2-4) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Both leading candidates won in Iowa, yet encountered new allegations about old drug use. In Gore's case, an ex-friend's charge that he was a heavier user than previously admitted was first aired on DRCNet before making it to other 'net sources and finally, into print. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Bush allegations come through a more reliable source than the
discredited author of an earlier retracted book. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reform's interest is forcing the debate on drug policy everyone seems intent on avoiding; whether that will happen isn't clear yet. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
There's also the chance that a Campbell campaign against Die Fie in
California could do the trick. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(2) DRUG PAST RETURNS TO HAUNT GORE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
It is the story that won't leave Al Gore alone. Thirteen years after
he admitted 'rare and infrequent' use of soft drugs in his youth, the
dope smoke is still lingering around the Vice-President. This weekend
it is threatening to engulf his campaign for the Democratic nomination
for the presidency. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In an ominous re-run of the Monica Lewinsky affair, Gore's trouble began with a spiked magazine article. A chapter of a new biography, Inventing Al Gore by reporter Bill Turque, was due to appear in the latest edition of Newsweek , but was pulled just before publication. Editors thought it made too much of Gore's past drug use. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The claims threaten to ignite a damaging war between the two front
runners Bush and Gore - both of whom have admitted taking drugs,
although with considerable circumspection. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(3) BUSH HIT BY CLAIMS OF 'LOST WEEKENDS' IN MEXICO (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A BOOK to be published this week about George W Bush, the Republican
front runner, claims his father's chief of staff admitted in 1998 that
the candidate had taken cocaine during the 1970s. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael Dannenhauer, chief of staff to former president George Bush, is
said to have told Toby Rogers, a journalist with the Houston Public
News, a newspaper in Texas (where Bush Jr is governor), that the
politician was "out of control" from the time he attended Yale
University. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"There was cocaine use, lots of women, but the drinking was the worst,"
the aide is alleged to have said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(4) CAMPBELL'S STANCE IS DIFFICULT FOR SOME IN GOP TO SWALLOW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
REDDING -- It doesn't always happen at the same time, and it's not always about the same subject. But put U.S. Senate candidate Tom Campbell in a room of fellow Republicans, and at some point they risk choking on their evening hors d'oeuvres or breakfast potatoes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Take these nuggets from the Silicon Valley congressman's 48-hour
campaign swing this week through Del Norte, Humboldt and Shasta
counties: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On drugs: ``I would let the people of California have medical
marijuana.' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (5-7) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
While there were a number of apologists for ONDCP's trashing of the
First Amendment, there was more some sharp criticism- as well
recognition that it wasn't just a TV problem. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(5) WAR-HERO DRUG CZAR UNDER FIRE IN TV PLOY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gen. Barry McCaffrey is used to winning -- but the U.S. drug czar is
nursing war wounds for giving networks big-bucks incentives to insert
anti-drug messages in TV shows. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The four-star general was forced to beat a hasty retreat after TV
producers charged him with censorship and congressional officials said
his policy allows networks to cheat the government. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Even as President Clinton defended McCaffrey and denied he had tried
to regulate TV content, congressional officials said hearings into his
anti-drug message deals are likely. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(6) EDITORIAL: DRUGS, TV AND PROPAGANDA (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
IN OFFERING television networks financial incentives to toe the White
House's anti-drug line, the Office of National Drug Control Policy
co-opts ostensibly independent broadcasters for propaganda purposes -
and the broadcasters let themselves be co-opted. The arrangement is all
the more disquieting for having been largely unknown -- though not
really a secret - until its existence was reported Thursday by the
on-line magazine Salon. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Where the White House goes too far is in providing a direct and significant financial inducement to the networks to weave the government's anti-drug message into network programming. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(7) PAPERS, TOO, RAN ADS IN ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. demands on networks drew blistering criticism | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON -- The New York Times took quite a whack at the White House
drug-policy adviser and the networks for cooperating on anti-drug
efforts, saying in its lead editorial Tuesday that such arrangements
could lead to "the possibility of censorship and state-sponsored
propaganda." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
But it turns out the Times also has a cooperative relationship with the
drug-control office and received financial benefits in exchange for
activities in conjunction with the White House. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"I knew absolutely nothing about this," Howell Raines, the Times
editorial-page editor, said Wednesday. "If I had known, I would have
mentioned it in the editorial.'' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Times has plenty of company. The drug office says it is spending
$11.3 million in the current 12-month period to advertise in 250
newspapers, and that $893,000 of that money is being spent on the
Times, USA Today and the Washington Post. And White House officials say
that in three cases -- two of them involving the Times and the Post --
newspapers were granted $200,000 in financial credits that reduced the
amount of public service ads they are required to provide under the
program. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (8-9) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
There's a concerted effort to demonize methamphetamine; In that connection, three recent series on the subject- all of which were noted to have been commissioned months ago- have appeared in Western newspapers. This one from the Riverside (CA) Press-Advocate is typical. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
It may be no coincidence that the meth hysteria is a convenient cover
for an anti-meth bill which takes dead aim at the First amendment. Who
paid for these well timed series? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(8) A NEW CASH CROP (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Fresno area is known for meth labs as well as orchards and
vineyards. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On the side of a darkened two-lane road in Fresno County, a team dressed in camouflage gathers in a fire department parking lot. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For miles around, rows of fruit trees and grapevines are emblems of cash crops that drive the local economy. But orchards and vineyards also harbor a clandestine industry that has been a money-making fixture since it crept into the Central Valley more than a decade ago. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Methamphetamine. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In barns and houses, sheds and silos, Mexican drug traffickers secretly cook a white-crystal stimulant that will eventually course through the veins of users across California and the United States.After police agencies in Southern California joined together to combat methamphetamine, cartels started making more meth in the Central Valley. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(9) WASHINGTON 451 (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is how the burning begins. Down in Washington, D.C., the censors gather into a pile the books and Web sites they hate, grab a gallon of gas, and strike a match. But they call this bonfire a bill, a piece of legislation, which is legal and tidy. It's happening now with S.R. 486 remember that number -- which has already passed the Senate with unanimous support. The bill sits in the House, awaiting the same blessing. If it becomes law, the publishers of a large number of pro-drug Web sites and books could wind up in jail, or out of business. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Drug war reformers suspect they are the true targets, and this week they're stepping up lobbying efforts against S.R. 486. Angry e-mails are on their way to Washington, and several sites devoted to trashing the bill have been launched. But the protests may be in vain. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
There's a strong possibility that the law will shut down an entire
class of drug advocacy. Already, publishers and activists are preparing
to pull in their wares, or go overseas. Mark Greer, the executive
director of Drug Sense, a nonprofit dedicated to accurate drug policy
information, fears his archive of 30,000 clippings regarding drug
policy could be the target of a federal suit brought by a D.A. on a
scalp hunt to prove the new law works. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (10) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mayor Giuliani's interesting theory of crime deterrence was described
in the NYT. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(10) EYEING CRIME RATE, POLICE TO WORK OVERTIME ON DRUG ARRESTS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In An Effort To Stop The Crime Rate From Creeping Up, The Police
Department Plans To Spend About $20 Million In Overtime To Put More
Than 400 Additional Narcotics Officers On The Streets And Increase The
Number Of Daily Drug Arrests, Several Police And City Officials Said
Yesterday. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The police hope that the plan will yield an additional 200 to 300 drug
arrests a day, and have told court officials to be prepared to handle
the additional arraignments once the program is in place, court and law
enforcement officials said. One senior law enforcement official said
most of the arrests under the new program are expected to be for
misdemeanor drug violations. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A city official and the law enforcement official said the plan was proposed by Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani last Friday during his weekly meeting at City Hall with Police Commissioner Howard Safir. A spokesman for the mayor did not respond to questions about the program last night. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (11-12) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
One of the troubling aspects of forfeiture is: what happens to the
money? That possession really is "nine tenths of the law" is
suggested by a story from Maryland. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The swag from a much higher stakes case involving three states is
still being apportioned. Notice the arrangement for bypassing local
claims by funneling it through the feds who take a 20% cut. The ruse
was described by Karen Dillon of the KC Star last year. This confirms
the suspicion that it's nationwide. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(11) MD SHERIFF'S OFFICE HID SEIZED CASH (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pr. George's Audit Missed $45,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Prince George's County sheriff's office hid $45,000 seized from an alleged drug dealer for seven years as the department lobbied for legislation that would have enabled it to keep all or part of the money. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The money, which was not discovered during an audit of the department
early last year, finally was deposited with the county's finance
department last month, after auditors were tipped off about the money
in November. Now, the sheriff's department employee who tipped them has
been notified his job is being eliminated. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(12) DRUG BOOTY MAY AID FEDS, POLICE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jan. 22 - Ka-ching. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The U.S. Justice Department and local law-enforcement agencies are
banking on a windfall from the millions of dollars seized in a recent
marijuana-ring bust. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Justice officials have confiscated more than $10 million in cash over
the past month in a marijuana investigation involving kingpin Robert
Henry Golding, 43, who killed himself during a traffic stop Friday in
Kansas. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The DEA is expected to take 20 percent - about $1.2 million - "off the
top for administrative purposes," said agency spokesman Ron
Hollingshead. That money likely would go into the Justice Department's
nationwide general fund. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Still in question is whether the dollars those municipalities stand to
gain would be subject to Colorado's Amendment One, the 1992 Taxpayer's
Bill of Rights, which requires rebates for taxpayers when government
revenues exceed certain limits. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
State officials said Friday that the spoils likely wouldn't count as local revenue under the law because they would be funneled through the U.S. Justice Department. Federal funds are exempt from TABOR limits. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (13) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ho-hum. The LAPD total scandal totals continue to inch upward. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(13) 10 MORE LAPD CASES MAY BE REVERSED (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LOS ANGELES - Prosecutors are seeking to overturn 10 more convictions tainted by alleged misconduct in a police anti-gang unit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If a judge approves, the district attorney's action Monday would bring
to 21 the number of convictions reversed since the scandal surfaced in
September, authorities said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The police misconduct, centered in the department's Rampart Division,
has led to 20 officers either resigning or being relieved of duty,
suspended without pay or fired. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (14) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The DEA continued its war against both US and Canadian hemp industries
without any (sane) outside interference. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(14) HEMP STORE TAKES HIT FROM FEDS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Owner blasts changing DEA regulations on products | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
War may be hell, but the "war on drugs" has propelled a Boulder company
that sells hemp-based foodstuffs into one hell of a confusing
predicament. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The confusion pertains to federal laws that regulate the importation of industrial hemp products, which a host of innovative U.S. companies now incorporate into snack foods, ice cream, and other goods. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
According to Boulder Hemp Company co-owner Kathleen Chippi, the Drug
Enforcement Administration has re-written the federal laws - without
Congressional involvement or approval - three times within the past
five months. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (15-16) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In DC- where 7-3 approval of medical use in '98 was just revealed- a
jury will face an interesting decision in a relatively high profile
case. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Meanwhile, the SF Supervisors approved an ID card scheme which has the
unanimous backing of Medical cannabis advocates. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(15) WOMAN FACES D.C. TRIAL IN POT-SMOKING CASE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Renee Emry Wolfe, an Ann Arbor resident who smokes marijuana for her
multiple sclerosis, was facing a trial today in the District of
Columbia Superior Court in Washington, D.C. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The trial stems from a 1998 arrest when Wolfe lit up a marijuana joint in the outer offices of U.S. Rep Bill McCollum. She was visiting the Florida Republican to oppose his legislation against medical marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(16) S.F. SUPES VOTE FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA I.D. CARDS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - San Francisco supervisors approved a city ordinance
Monday calling for identification cards for people who qualify to use
medical marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The board voted 10-1 for the ordinance, which would allow cardholders to obtain medical marijuana at several San Francisco dispensaries. The board is scheduled for a second vote Jan. 31 for final approval of the ordinance. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Proponents of the program said the identification system is important to prevent the arrest or detention of legitimate medical marijuana users. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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International News | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (17-18) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A development which should surprise no one with the least knowledge of
past interdiction failures, it was revealed that smuggling routes are
changing yet again. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Meanwhile, an Assistant Secretary of the Army playing rear guard in
the wake of Albright, dutifully gave the same brave assurances. We'll
see. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(17) CHILE, ARGENTINA PART OF DRUG CARTELS' NEW STRATEGY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9.7-Ton Cocaine Seizure Signals Colombia Cartels' Diversion Tactics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ARICA, Chile - Authorities are basking in the glow of success this week after scoring the third-biggest cocaine bust in the world, but the implications of the 9.7-ton capture are now beginning to sink in. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. and Latin American anti-drug officials say Chile and its neighbor Argentina have become the target of a new strategy by Colombian traffickers to smuggle drugs into the United States and Europe. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(18) U.S. AID PREDICTED TO TURN COLOMBIA DRUG TIDE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(BOGOTA, Colombia) -- Despite a surge in Colombia's cocaine production, a top Pentagon official on Thursday predicted that a proposed $1.6 billion U.S. aid package would help turn the tide in the drug war. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"Drug production has increased dramatically and will continue to increase if we do not take immediate steps, and that's what this plan is about," said Louis Caldera, the secretary of the U.S. Army who is on the final leg of a trip to Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Colombia. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"We have a lot of confidence that this program will show dramatic
results in 18 months," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (19) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Finally, infighting over the disconnect between Britains' drug use (number one in Europe in a recent study) and the increasingly tough drugs policy of the Blair Government is starting to focus on Mo Mowlam. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Northern Ireland may have been a breeze by comparison. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(19) UK: MOWLAM'S DRUG CLASH WITH BLAIR (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Government's policy on drugs was in disarray last night after it
emerged that Mo Mowlam, the Minister in charge of tackling the problem,
was at odds with Tony Blair and Jack Straw over moves to relax cannabis
laws. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mowlam, who last week admitted she smoked marijuana in the Sixties, is
'sympathetic' to proposals that those caught for possession of cannabis
no longer be jailed. She also believes it should be available for
medical use. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
But in a sign of tensions at the heart of government over the drugs
problem, Mowlam is said to be getting 'absolutely nowhere' with Home
Secretary Jack Straw and Downing Street, who see any legal change as
'the tip of a dangerous iceberg' leading to full decriminalisation of
cannabis. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding Series in the Arizona Republic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DrugSense staffer Jo-D Dunbar has helped to archive an outstanding
multi-part series entitled "A Losing Drug War" recently published in
the Arizona Republic over a one week period. See the links below. It is
now available in the news archive and is replete with some excellent
graphics. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A must read and an excellent win for the good guys. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Review all these articles starting at: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Two Million -- Too Many -- November Coalition Web Page for Drug War
Vigils We have a preliminary web page up at: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A pdf of vigil material is at: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Open this document and you can view the items we have for people that
are leading a vigil on February 15th - the day the Justice Policy
Institute has calculated we will have 2 million people behind bars in
America. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
There are further instructions within the PDF. We are taking suggestions
on other possible materials and some leaders are having organizational
meetings on joint participation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If your organization would like to lead a vigil in your area, please
review and contact me for further information. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If you can help us publicize this effort, your help is appreciated. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Memorial Web Page - People Who Have Died From Heroin Overdose | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Richard Cowan's Marijuana News site has been very nicely revamped.
Check it out. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In a column by Jack Anderson in the Washington Post, June 24, 1972,
p.31, Mr. Ingersoll had this to say about the subject of
legalization...."Not only are we here to protect the public from vicious
criminals in the street but also to protect the public from HARMFUL
IDEAS." (Emphasis added) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
-- Robert Ingersoll...then Director of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. (In 1974 he became the first Director of the DEA.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"Industrial Hemp is a dangerous idea whose time has come. It's an
embarrassment to the government. It proves the Emperor Wears No
Clothes!" -- Submitted by Eric Skidmore | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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