| December 29, 2000 #180 | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Table of Contents
| ||||||||||||||||||
FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
A Nomination to Oppose | ||||||||||||||||||
Despite promises to be a "healer," the first president since Rutherford
B. Hayes to enter the Oval Office with a minority of the popular vote
has acted as if he'd received a huge mandate with at least one of his
early cabinet choices. Although two African Americans with impressive
credentials, were in his first wave of nominations, their duties will
give them little direct effect on domestic policy. | ||||||||||||||||||
The same can't be said of John Ashcroft, the nominee for Attorney
General and member of the religious right with a blatant record of
supporting racist policies and institutions. His nomination can only be
seen as a direct affront to African Americans- the very group Bush was
so clearly trying to placate with his appointment of Colin Powell and
Condeleeza Rice to top foreign policy jobs. | ||||||||||||||||||
In addition to his well-known racist sympathies, Ashcroft is an
indefatigable drug warrior, a point not given prominent attention by
the black and other civil rights groups opposing his nomination- even
though it should be. It's been made crystal clear by a cascade of
recent studies that drug law enforcement policies play a major role in
determining the size and composition of U.S. prison populations;
therefore it's likely that the trends already so painfully evident
during the Clinton Administration could become significantly worse
after four years of Bush and this Attorney General. | ||||||||||||||||||
It's also likely that civilian review of police practices- an area where the U.S. already compares very unfavorably with the rest of the world- will receive predictably little attention from a Department of Justice run by Ashcroft. His advice of appointment of federal judges- a little-known function of the AG's office, can be expected to favor hardliners in the mold of Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia. As the nation's chief law enforcement officer below the President, the Attorney General also controls the federal police bureaucracy including the DEA, FBI and Bureau of Prisons. He thus sets priorities in choosing which laws to enforce and how vigorously to enforce them. | ||||||||||||||||||
Many drug reformers have been primarily concerned with the identity of the next drug czar; the truth is that while the drug czar is the most visible icon representing the drug war- and while McCaffrey has played a malign role in facilitating drug arrests- the Attorney General has far more control of law enforcement mechanisms and much greater immediate impact on the intensity with which the drug war is waged. | ||||||||||||||||||
At a time when the public has clearly signalled severe misgivings about the fairness and results of our punitive drug policy, the appointment of Ashcroft is more than disturbing. Is the new administration simply out of touch with the public? Or is it in touch and determined to ram a punitive policy down the nation's throat, come what may? | ||||||||||||||||||
In either event, there seems ample reason for our increasingly visible
reform movement to draw the line at this nomination and work to either
defeat it or make it as politically expensive as possible. That will
mean making common cause with those already in opposition- while taking
care to clearly define our reasons for joining them. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tom O'Connell | ||||||||||||||||||
The opinions expressed above are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect those of DrugSense or any other organization or individual. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (1-2) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Both opportunities and challenges await reform in the months ahead; a
major opportunity may be created by public response to the message in
a widely acclaimed film. | ||||||||||||||||||
An obvious challenge is the nominee for Attorney General; it's
distressing that other groups opposing him don't even mention his
repressive stance on drug enforcement. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(1) REVIEW: HOLLYWOOD KICKS THE HABIT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Hollywood has a drug problem. For all the dope movies, for all the
films about cops or junkies, kingpins and double-dealing DEA agents,
there's never been a single mainstream movie that's been big enough,
ambitious enough to go after the drug war itself. | ||||||||||||||||||
Steven Soderbergh's "Traffic," which opens Christmas Day in New York
and Los Angeles, is that movie. If films like "Drugstore Cowboy,"
"Rush" or even "The Man With the Golden Arm" have been orbiting
planets, self-contained units that dissect or examine one facet of drug
use or the war on drugs, "Traffic" is the solar system. | ||||||||||||||||||
Perhaps even more notable, "Traffic" is the first mainstream, major
Hollywood production that has come out and said that America's drug war
is not winnable. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(2) TOP COP PICK FACING TOUGH QUESTIONS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Top Cop Pick Faces Grilling Liberals Question Stance On Black Judge,
Abortion | ||||||||||||||||||
Washington -- Democratic senators warned yesterday that Sen. John
Ashcroft, R-Mo., President-elect Bush's nominee for attorney general,
faces tough cross- examination over his opposition to a black judicial
appointment and his willingness to enforce a law guaranteeing access to
abortion clinics. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (3-7) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
A Santa Barbara News-Press editorial correctly stated the Prop 36 dilemma: the public no longer favors the present reliance on incarceration; what's unclear is how much change they will support. | ||||||||||||||||||
Certainly, no case better demonstrates the futility of incarceration
than that of Robert Downey Jr.; nevertheless, he'll probably be
returned to prison. | ||||||||||||||||||
The drug war comes down to making arrests; recently, just who is arrested and how they are treated have become key issues. | ||||||||||||||||||
Michigan has its own harsh laws; the Detroit News sounded envious of
the choice made by California. In New York, a tabloid supporter of the
drug war implied that current drug law enforcement practices are
racially biased. And in California's capital, an OP-ED related the
contrarian pro-36 views of a credentialed policeman. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(3) MAKING IT WORK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
California voters made a clear statement in November when they
approved Proposition 36, the purpose of which is to divert drug users
who are guilty of no other crime to treatment centers rather than to
prison. The devil, as they say, is in the details. | ||||||||||||||||||
The main problem is that the strongest opposition to Prop. 36 came
from the government agencies that are most directly involved in the
drug-abuse issue -- the law enforcement and criminal justice.
Officials of those branches of government see the implementation of
Prop. 36 as a potential threat to their operations, or that it will
tie their hands when dealing with drug-using criminals. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(4) PALS FEAR DESPERATE DOWNEY IS SUICIDAL (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Concerned pals of Robert Downey Jr. say they fear the drug-plagued star
is so depressed, he may try to commit suicide. | ||||||||||||||||||
Downey is due in court tomorrow on felony drug charges stemming from
his arrest last month after cops said they found him high - and with a
stash of cocaine and methamphetamine - in a Palm Springs, Calif., hotel
room. | ||||||||||||||||||
It could mean another prison stretch for the 35-year-old actor, who is
currently starring in "Ally McBeal" - something Downey isn't sure he
can face. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(5) MORE AND MORE PRISONS AREN'T THE BEST WAY TO BUILD AN ANTI-DRUG STRATEGY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
California often sets trends, and this country would be better off if other states followed the left coast in trying to get more people off drugs instead of automatically throwing them all in the clink. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
California, at least, was ready to accept Soros' message and develop a
more sensible strategy in its war on drugs. Even President Bill
Clinton, on his way out the door, told Rolling Stone magazine that the
whole system of mandatory prison sentences for people who possess drugs
needs to be examined. | ||||||||||||||||||
Maybe it's catching on. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(6) FEDS TURN UP THEIR NOSES AT WHITE-COLLAR COKEHEADS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Hundreds of yuppie cokeheads snared by a sting - including doctors,
lawyers and professors - are getting off because prosecutors say
they're "genteel users" who can manage their habits, sources told The
Post. "The attitude seems to be, these are not snot-dripping junkies on
someone's doorstep, these people are more acceptable, so [federal
prosecutors] are uncomfortable locking them up," said a source familiar
with the decision. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(7) FORMER POLICE CHIEF BATTLES WITH 'WAR ON DRUGS' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
PALO ALTO -- Joe McNamara spent more than half his life as a cop... And when he left that job he also left behind what he says is a deceit he carried with him as long as he carried a badge: the war on drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||
Now a research fellow at Stanford's Hoover Institution, McNamara has
become a leading spokesman for a movement that says the drug war has
been a costly failure that has increased crime, corrupted law
enforcement and ruined -- or ended -- the lives of millions of young
Americans. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (8-9) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Even as the reform movement struggles with new challenges, the warrior
establishment is facing one of its own: how to continue claiming
"success" in the face of both mounting criticism and thriving markets
for new illegal products? | ||||||||||||||||||
Note the second Jack Anderson column with a pro-reform spin in as many
weeks. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(8) DEBATE GOES ON OVER DRUG 'ECSTASY' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON - Ecstasy (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA) works
by targeting cells in the brain that release serotonin. The drug causes
cells to release all of their supply of the chemical into the
bloodstream, creating a powerful high. The street price for MDMA is
between $20 and $30 per dosage unit. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Proponents of the drug, however, argue that MDMA has significant
therapeutic value. It allows people to trust more easily and be more
open with therapists, lovers and family members. But what is really at
issue is whether or not drug use is a private matter, and toward that
end several states have recently legalized medical use of marijuana.
The debate goes on. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(9) LAWMAKERS TARGET METH MAKERS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Indiana lawmakers want to head off a growing methamphetamine problem by
approving measures to stiffen criminal penalties and keep tighter
controls on components of the drug. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Indiana State Police dismantled just four meth labs in 1994. By 1998,
that number had increased to 48. So far this year, it has jumped to
310, said Eric Lawrence, director of forensic analysis for the state
police. | ||||||||||||||||||
Rep. Mike Dvorak, D-Granger, chairman of the House Courts and Criminal
Code Committee, will introduce a bill in the upcoming legislative
session to stiffen the penalties for meth-related offenses. Some other
lawmakers plan to do the same. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (10-11) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Both bad and good news from the prison arena: | ||||||||||||||||||
With an alacrity rivaling the Supreme Court, the judge found an excuse
to set aside the three convictions resulting from the first Rampart
trial. | ||||||||||||||||||
Clinton's commutation of the sentences of two victims of the drug war
publicized both the unfairness of federal mandatory minimums and the
existence of the November Coalition. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(10) L.A. POLICE OFFICERS' CONVICTIONS OVERTURNED (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 23 (AP) -- Three police officers found guilty of
corruption in the worst scandal in department history had their
convictions tossed out by a judge who said the courts shouldn't remedy
the scandal with an unfair verdict. | ||||||||||||||||||
In a ruling obtained late Friday, Superior Court Judge Jacqueline
Connor said jurors disclosed in post-trial statements that they had
focused on an issue that was never raised in the trial. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(11) DRUG WAR OPPONENTS HAIL PARDONS OF 2 WOMEN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Colville Group Says Prison Not The Answer | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday's presidential pardon of two women from the South led to cheers
in Colville. | ||||||||||||||||||
That's where the November Coalition, a national nonprofit group
championing drug law reforms, is headquartered. | ||||||||||||||||||
Founded by executive director Nora Callahan, the coalition gathered
more than 30,000 signatures this year asking President Clinton to free
Kemba Smith and Dorothy Gaines. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Her active work to discredit the country's "war on drugs" has made her
a regular on national talk radio shows and a quoted government
adversary on drug policy in national news magazines. | ||||||||||||||||||
"If we have doctors telling us that drugs are an addiction and therefore a problem ... why do we have judges, police and jailers dispensing the cure?" she said. "It doesn't make sense." | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (12-14) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
An article from Florida illustrates how HIDTAs have proliferated under
McCaffrey; another, from Texas, suggests their impact local drug
arrests is predictable; but unlikely ever to "solve" America's dug
problem. | ||||||||||||||||||
Indeed, an article from California's Central Valley implies that
although increased funding for an established HIDTA will be welcome,
the problem created by the law is simply beyond the control of law
enforcement. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(12) REGION MAY BE NAMED DRUG HUB (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Federal Designation Could Bring Millions | ||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON -- White House officials stand on the brink of naming
Northeast Florida a major center of drug trafficking and money
laundering, a federal designation that could bring millions of dollars
to beef up Jacksonville's narcotics-fighting effort, state and federal
officials said. | ||||||||||||||||||
Drug czar Barry McCaffrey wants to select two new areas before he
leaves office on Jan. 6, said Bob Weiner, spokesman for the Office of
National Drug Control Policy. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
"I'm optimistic that we are going to see the formation of a
high-intensity drug trafficking area in Northeast Florida," said Jim
McDonough, Florida's top drug-fighting official. | ||||||||||||||||||
Being named a major center for drug trafficking would culminate a
three-year effort to get selected, said Assistant Chief George Lueders
of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip' | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(13) TASK FORCES TAKEN TO TASK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Big Numbers Don't Add Up To Success In Texas War On Drugs, Critics Contend | ||||||||||||||||||
The numbers are almost staggering: Nearly 2 million pounds of dope
valued at more than $6.6 billion; $194,273,312 worth of seized assets;
189,586 arrests. | ||||||||||||||||||
That is the haul of the 49 regional narcotics task forces that have operated in Texas -- supported by $331 million of mostly federal funds -- on the front line of the state's war on drugs since 1987. | ||||||||||||||||||
But those efforts have critics, and recently their complaints have become louder. Even some law officers agree that it is the nonviolent users and addicts who are sent to prison, while the drugs continue to flow almost unabated and suppliers reap larger and larger profits. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(14) A START IN METH FIGHT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
January Summit Is A Small But Important First Step. | ||||||||||||||||||
An important summit meeting will take place early next year, as crucial
as any gathering of world leaders: The subject is how to fight
methamphetamine trafficking in the Central Valley, and the stakes are
as high as any issues of war and peace. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
The summit will have a direct impact on federal funding to fight the methamphetamine problem, which has been inadequate to this point. It is also important that state officials take away a better understanding of the scope of the problem, since state efforts have also lagged badly. | ||||||||||||||||||
Dooley helped secure $1.5 million for the Central Valley High Intensity
Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Program for the current fiscal year, is
hoping to get approval for $2.5 million for the 2001 budget. Some of
the money would help police agencies involved in the program cover some
expenses. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (15-17) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The trial of Steve and Michele Kubby ended less than crisply: the jury
hung 11-1 for acquittal, but convicted Kubby for felony possession of
a mushroom stem; an OCR Editorial sorts out the details. In Canada,
the government signed an agreement to grow therapeutic cannabis in a
setting worthy of a James Bond thriller. | ||||||||||||||||||
The Houston Chronicle's Thom Marshall shifted his attention from
prison issues long enough to write an informed essay on hemp
production by some founding fathers. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(15) KUBBY VERDICT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
A jury in the Placer County trial of medical marijuana patients Michele
and Steve Kubby came in with an 11-1 "hung" verdict on most of the
charges against the part-time Orange County residents. Michele Kubby
was acquitted of all remaining charges. Steve Kubby will face
sentencing on two minor charges Feb. 2. There is no indication yet
whether the prosecution will refile charges. A decision might not be
forthcoming until February. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(16) CANADA: LEGAL MARIJUANA OPERATION OPENS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Ottawa - The federal government's first legal supply of marijuana will
come from high-tech greenhouses hundreds of metres below the ground in
an unused portion of a copper and zinc mine near the remote community
of Flin Flon, Manitoba. | ||||||||||||||||||
Health Canada announced Thursday that biotechnology firm Prairie Plant Systems, of Saskatoon, won the first government contract to legally produce marijuana for medical purposes, in a five-year, $5.7-million deal. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(17) CANNABIS WAS ONCE HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Our next president, George W. Bush, struck a chord with his acceptance
speech references to Thomas Jefferson and the plans he has to focus
upon that forefather's ideals. | ||||||||||||||||||
Certainly, the nation owes much to Jefferson for his key role in
getting us started. And a funny thing is, if today's drug war tactics
had applied back in his time, and if he had been busted with all those
cannabis plants at Monticello, Jefferson may well have been a convicted
criminal instead of an elected president. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Canadian farmers are free to grow hemp and U.S. farmers are not. Don't
you wonder what Thomas Jefferson would have to say about this, if there
were some way to ask him? | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
International News | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (18-21) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The San Francisco Chronicle alertly pointed out how much Plan Colombia
clashes with Colin Powell's well known "doctrine" on use of military
force. | ||||||||||||||||||
Also relating to Colombia: the NYT confirmed that the President of
Uruguay had recently suggested drug decriminalization. Although the
Times said it was during a television interview, a contemporaneous
article from Uruguay had him suggesting it at a regional meeting of
heads of state. | ||||||||||||||||||
By coincidence, Narconews.com, the source of the translated article,
was this week itself in the news after being named in a lawsuit filed
on behalf of an alleged Mexican drug trafficker. | ||||||||||||||||||
The Ottawa Sun aired a harsh new U.S. report blaming lax Canadian
policies for allowing increased drug trafficking. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(18) THE POWELL DOCTRINE MEETS WAR IN COLOMBIA (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
COLIN POWELL faces a dilemma. America's military engagement in Colombia
does not meet the criteria laid out in his well-articulated "Powell
Doctrine." | ||||||||||||||||||
In the aftermath of his military experience in Vietnam, the soon-to-be
secretary of state developed a clear and simple way to determine when
military force should be used: | ||||||||||||||||||
As a last resort, with the full support of the public, and with a
well-planned exit strategy. | ||||||||||||||||||
So far, the U.S.-backed war in Colombia, funded with $1.3 billion
approved by Congress in June, is on a collision course with the Powell
Doctrine. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(19) URUGUAY: BACKING DRUG LEGALIZATION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
President Jorge Batlle, who is known for speaking his mind on contentious subjects, spoke out in favor of the decriminalization of drugs in a television interview. He said he was only trying to provoke debate, but it was the first time a Latin American president had suggested that partial legalization of drugs could help fight addiction. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(20) LAWYERS, DRUGS AND MONEY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The managers of Voxel Dot Net Inc., a small Internet-service provider
in Troy, hardly imagined that they would ever become embroiled in an
international dispute over drug trafficking. But this month, that's
exactly what happened. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Since last April, Voxel has provided Internet access to the Narco News
Bulletin, a news service that seeks to expose the alleged hypocrisies
of the U.S.-led war against drugs which enters its next phase in
January with the start of a military operation in southern Colombia
targeting coca growers. Akin Gump reportedly asked Voxel to dismantle
the Narco News Web site ( www.narconews.com ), but the company refused,
citing free speech concerns. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(21) CRIMINALS 'USING CANADA AS A BASE' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
White House Report Claims Country Haven For Chinese Triads | ||||||||||||||||||
Canada has become a gateway for Chinese criminal schemes directed at
the United States, says a new White House report on illicit activity
around the world. | ||||||||||||||||||
The bluntly worded assessment, drafted by key American security
agencies, singles out Canada as a key venue for triads engaged in
credit card fraud, heroin trafficking, illegal migration and software
piracy. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Concept Papers Sought Prior to Future Grants From TLC-DPF | ||||||||||||||||||
The Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy Foundation (TLC-DPF) Grant Program is
undergoing a comprehensive review. The review will likely result in
changes to the Grant Program's criteria and strategic focus. Therefore
the April 1, 2001 deadline for accepting proposals is temporarily on
hold. Anyone planning on submitting a proposal to TLC-DPF by the April
1st deadline is strongly encouraged to send TLC-DPF a brief concept
paper in January or February of 2001 (preferably by e-mail). TLC-DPF
will then be able to contact all prospective grant applicants in a
timely manner when proposals are due and notify them of changes made to
the guidelines. | ||||||||||||||||||
Once the review is complete new guidelines will be published,
disseminated, and posted at http://www.drugpolicy.org/ | ||||||||||||||||||
Please contact TLC-DPF regarding the current status of the program
before submitting a formal proposal. If you have any suggestions or
comments regarding the Grant Program that you would like to share with
TLC-DPF as part of the review, please contact Robert Sharpe, Grant
Program Associate, at | ||||||||||||||||||
Submitted by Robert Sharpe TLC-DPF | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Victims and the Media Program | ||||||||||||||||||
A group called the Victims and the Media Program. It's coordinated from
Michigan State University's School of Journalism, and it seeks to
explore "ways to assist the media in reporting on crime, trauma and
catastrophe". | ||||||||||||||||||
Submitted by Doug McVay | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Smoking Education Program "Completely Ineffective" According to
National Cancer Institute | ||||||||||||||||||
The Washington Post reports that research published in today's Journal of the National Cancer Institute shows that the best available anti-smoking education program is completely ineffective. | ||||||||||||||||||
The URL for the news release from the National Cancer Institute, which
funded the research, is: | ||||||||||||||||||
http://rex.nci.nih.gov/massmedia/pressreleases/hutchstate.html | ||||||||||||||||||
Submitted by Doug McVay | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
THIS JUST IN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Articles coming in a bit late for this issue but well worth reviewing. | ||||||||||||||||||
Washington, DC: In response to a complaint filed by the NORML Foundation, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled last Friday that five major networks should have identified the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) as a sponsor of television programs embedded with anti-drug messages after receiving government dollars for doing so. | ||||||||||||||||||
FCC Slaps Anti-Drug TV Shows
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
This front Page Christian Science Monitor piece Quotes Ethan Nadelmann and mentions TLC-DPF. The article was discussed in a 30 minute segment broadcast nationally on C-Span last Wednesday. It points out how the public is becoming quite disenchanted with harsh drug sentences. | ||||||||||||||||||
America Wavers On Get-Tough Drug Sentences
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
DRUGSENSE VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Douglas Caddy | ||||||||||||||||||
This month we recognize Douglas Caddy. | ||||||||||||||||||
Doug is one of those lawyers who gives you faith that the system still
can work. He is a long-time reformer from Texas and has done a terrific
job of ensuring that the MAP archives contain drug policy articles from
his state. | ||||||||||||||||||
We asked him a few questions: | ||||||||||||||||||
DS: When and why did you become involved in the drug policy area? | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
DS: How did you get into writing Letters to the Editor? | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
DS: What do you consider the most significant story/issue of the past
months? | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
DS: What are your favorite websites, besides the MAP/DrugSense sites? | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
DS: Is there anything else you would like to tell the readers of the
weekly? | ||||||||||||||||||
http://www.reformtexas.com/ | ||||||||||||||||||
On the latter I have a world petition for reform of the Texas criminal
justice system which highlights the many wrongs being committed by our
police state in the name of the war on drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
"A multitude of laws in a country is like a great number of physicians, a sign of weakness and malady." - Voltaire, philosopher (1694-1778) | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
DS Weekly is one of the many free educational services DrugSense offers
our members. Watch this feature to learn more about what DrugSense can
do for you. | ||||||||||||||||||
TO SUBSCRIBE, UNSUBSCRIBE, OR UPDATE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS: | ||||||||||||||||||
Please utilize the following URLs | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
We wish to thank all our contributors, editors, NewsHawks and letter
writing activists. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is
distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior
interest in receiving the included information for research and
educational purposes. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Please help us help reform. Become a NewsHawk | ||||||||||||||||||
See http://www.mapinc.org/hawk.htm for info on contributing clippings. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
DONATE TO DRUGSENSE ONLINE | ||||||||||||||||||
-OR- | ||||||||||||||||||
Mail in your contribution. Make checks payable to MAP Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||
Send your contribution to: | ||||||||||||||||||
DrugSense |
 | current issue | this issue |