| May 30, 2003 #302 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Table of Contents
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THIS JUST IN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
(1) SMOKING BAN COULD CLOSE CANNABIS CAFES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
For the Netherlands' famous network of cannabis-peddling coffee shops the high times could be about to be stubbed out - for good. | ||||||||||||||||||
A tough new anti-smoking law due to take effect from January of next
year is about to turn the Dutch work place into a smoke-free zone
and coffee shops are not exempted. | ||||||||||||||||||
Under the new law every company in the country must ensure that
their employees are not exposed to tobacco smoke. Lighting up a
joint in one of 800 coffee shops therefore faces extinction from
2005. | ||||||||||||||||||
Coffee shops will still be allowed to sell joints but their
customers will have to go outside to smoke. Unsurprisingly the
country's marijuana retailers are not pleased. "We might as well
just shut up shop," Dick Langereis, the manager of two Amsterdam
coffee shops, told the daily Trouw. "Just let them try and enforce
this in the Hague," added a man called Gilbert who runs a coffee
shop in the city of Nijmegen. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(2) POT CHARGES ON HOLD IN 80 LONDON CASES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
A day after Ottawa introduced its new marijuana law, a lower court
ruling on Canada's pot laws lit up the London courthouse yesterday
-- with drug charges stayed against dozens of people. | ||||||||||||||||||
In a day unmatched in any other court in Ontario, a federal
prosecutor stayed charges against more than 80 people facing counts
of possession of less than 30 grams of pot. | ||||||||||||||||||
"What happened in London is unusual because there were a number of charges put over (for months) en masse," said Jim Leising, a Justice Department official responsible for drug prosecutions in Ontario. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
The stays -- they deactivate charges for one year, when they'll be dismissed if prosecutors don't reinstate them -- are based on a May 16 Windsor court decision when Superior Court Justice Steven Rogin said simple pot possession is no longer against the law. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Outside the courtroom, London artist Derrick Bell, 29, said he was
"so relieved" to have his charges stayed. | ||||||||||||||||||
"For someone who is not a criminal, it is a life-altering experience
to be charged . . . and treated like a criminal," he said. "It's a
really scary experience." | ||||||||||||||||||
Bell said he'd been smoking pot with some students while giving
painting lessons at his home, when police knocked at the door in
February 2002. | ||||||||||||||||||
"It was just a little bit of pot. We're artists," he said. "It's
better than alcohol, I think." | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(3) KID LAW CAUSES CONCERT TROUBLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Amber Alert Holds Liability Surprise | ||||||||||||||||||
A new law slipped into last month's Amber Alert bill is threatening
concert promoters and club owners in Denver with huge civil and
criminal liability. | ||||||||||||||||||
As a result, KTCL's Rave on the Rocks, one of the highest-profile electronic music shows in the nation, is on shaky legal ground. | ||||||||||||||||||
What used to be called the RAVE Act was renamed the Illicit Drug
Anti-Proliferation Act of 2003. The bill is similar to legislation
that made it possible for cities to shut down crack houses as public
nuisances. | ||||||||||||||||||
The difference here is that a concert promoter or club owner could
be liable - - and could have the club seized in some cases - for
criminal activity at a show, including drunkenness, drug use or
fistfights. Under the law, the promoter could be criminally liable
for any illegal act by anyone in the crowd. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sponsored by Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., the law was tacked on to the
Amber Alert bill by a subcommittee. To stop the RAVE Act from
passing, legislators would have had to vote against the larger bill
to help find missing children. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
The name for KTCL's Rave on the Rocks is now up for a listener vote
so as to keep it out of the cross hairs of the new law. Winning at
the moment is Party on the Rocks. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Rep. Joel Hefley, R-Colo., who was a co-sponsor of the original
Amber Alert bill, was traveling in Prague, Czech Republic, and was
unavailable for comment. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(4) U.S. OFFERS HELP WITH ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON - The Bush administration now feels Canada has taken
a "more sober" position on marijuana and instead of threatening to slow
border traffic, the president's drug czar is offering to help Ottawa
warn of the dangers of pot. | ||||||||||||||||||
John Walters, however, wouldn't say Washington's concerns caused the
Chretien government to soften its marijuana legislation, tabled this
week. | ||||||||||||||||||
"We have tried to be helpful in private with Canadian officials and
tried to make clear in advance what our concerns were, so there
wouldn't be a sense that we hadn't been candid if these problems got
worse," he said in an interview yesterday. | ||||||||||||||||||
"We have offered to work with Canadian officials with what we have learned, painfully, about this topic," Walters said. "We don't want to see people unnecessarily put at risk or put in danger." | ||||||||||||||||||
Solicitor-General Wayne Easter has already received U.S. data on the effects of tough anti-marijuana advertisements on American youth. | ||||||||||||||||||
But an official with a national organization seeking to reform marijuana
laws in this country called Walters an "ill-informed buffoon" who is
firing shots at a sovereign country when he is losing his hard-line
anti-marijuana campaign right here at home. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (5-8) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
With attention still focused on cannabis laws in Canada and elsewhere, the Domestic News-Policy section takes a field trip of sorts this week to look at some ways the drug war impacts education. We start with a crucial question about drug testing in schools that rarely gets asked. While many are focused on drug testing's effectiveness in preventing drug use, isn't it more important to wonder if student drug testing does harm? An opinion piece in the San Diego Union Tribune offered some disturbing answers. | ||||||||||||||||||
Another question important question: Is it better for schools or
police to deal with students caught with drugs? A Georgia school
district has been handling some drug crimes and thereby keeping kids
out of the criminal justice system, but a local district attorney is
not happy about it. And a different type of "school" (and we use
that term loosely in this instance) based in Costa Rica for troubled
U.S. teens, some likely facing drug issues, was overtaken by a
student rebellion. The insurrection was spurred in part by local
Costa Rican officials who reminded youth from the land of the free
and the home of the brave that they can indeed stand up for their
rights. | ||||||||||||||||||
Finally, the power grab attempted by the ONDCP last week that would
have allowed the agency to spend advertising money in local
elections was so outrageous, it was even condemned on the editorial
page of the Los Angeles Times, which is sometimes ambivalent on drug
policy issues. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(5) DRUG TESTING IN SCHOOLS: CAN IT CAUSE HARM? (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
So far, studies have not shown drug testing to be a deterrent. It
has yet to be established that students who are interested in sports
and extracurricular activities, and who are also substance users,
are more likely to go on to have serious problems than those who do
not seek these activities. In fact, there is evidence that quite the
opposite is true; that is, those who do not seek to engage in
extracurricular activities are more likely to go on to have
drug-abusing problems. | ||||||||||||||||||
Most importantly, it is yet to be established that drug testing does
not cause harm. The potential for harm includes: | ||||||||||||||||||
-- Screening may decrease involvement in extracurricular activities
among students who regularly use or have once used drugs. Without
such engagement in healthy activities, adolescents are more likely
to drop out of school, become pregnant, join gangs, pursue substance
abuse, and engage in other risky behaviors. | ||||||||||||||||||
-- An unsafe home environment is one predictor for drug abuse in adolescents. Screening may cause deterioration, rather than an improvement, in home situations as a result of a positive test. | ||||||||||||||||||
-- Screening may cause emotional difficulty related to the invasion
of a person's privacy. There is a great deal of variation to how
adults respond to drug testing - most don't mind at all, some
consider it very intrusive. During adolescence, many teens feel
estranged from their ever-changing bodies - even when there are no
intrusions. A sizable minority of healthy adolescents who are not
abusing drugs will experience an inordinate degree of stress as a
result of mandated tests. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(6) DA SAYS GWINNETT SCHOOLS HID CRIME (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Gwinnett District Attorney Danny Porter said Wednesday the county
school system's police force appears to be keeping serious crimes
from being prosecuted and should be disbanded. | ||||||||||||||||||
In one case cited by Porter, the school system's police failed to
inform prosecutors when a North Gwinnett High School student
allegedly snorted crystal methamphetamine at his desk. In another
case, school police failed to seek criminal charges against a J.E.
Richards Middle School student accused of "possession of a large
amount of marijuana." | ||||||||||||||||||
In these cases and others, the school police --- known as school
resource officers --- allowed the cases to be handled by school
administrators rather than sending them to Porter's office for
investigation and perhaps prosecution. | ||||||||||||||||||
Porter said he could seek criminal charges against school officials if they intentionally failed to report crimes to his office. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(7) U.S. YOUTHS REBEL AT HARSH SCHOOL IN COSTA RICA (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
OROTINA, Costa Rica -- A torrent of teenage rage, hard and fast as
the tropical rain on this Pacific coast, washed away the Academy at
Dundee Ranch this weekend. | ||||||||||||||||||
Dundee Ranch, the latest foreign outpost in a far-flung affiliation
of behavior modification programs that promises to convert troubled
American teenagers into straight arrows, lasted 19 months before the
students rose up in revolt and overthrew their masters. | ||||||||||||||||||
The rebellion erupted after Costa Rican officials visited the ranch
- an old hotel on a rutted red-dirt road - and told the children of
their rights after complaints about the program from a former
director. | ||||||||||||||||||
"They told us you have the right to speak, you have the right to speak to your parents, you have the right to leave if you feel you've been mistreated," said Hugh Maxwell, 17, of Rhode Island. "Kids heard that and they started running for the door. There was elation, cheering and clapping and chaos. People were crying." | ||||||||||||||||||
Adults beat some of the children to quell the uprising, according to six people present. The academy's owner, Narvin Lichfield, was jailed for 30 hours, may face criminal charges and has been ordered by a judge to remain in Costa Rica. Four staff members feared by the children are being deported to Jamaica, government officials said. Most of the children are going home, many to an uncertain future. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(8) EDITORIAL: DOPEY FEDERAL THINKING (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Federal drug czar John Walters has plenty of problems on his hands. Crack cocaine use by 10th-graders has climbed for two years. | ||||||||||||||||||
Illegal use of prescription sedatives by older teens is also up. In recent weeks, however, the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy has wasted his valuable time not only fretting about a problem that doesn't exist but urging Washington to meddle in state matters that should be none of his office's business. | ||||||||||||||||||
At a hearing of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, Walters
urged legislators to pass HR 2086, a bill by Rep. Mark E. Souder
(R-Ind.) that would let him use taxpayer dollars to pay for media
campaigns directly attacking state medical marijuana programs and
ballot initiatives. The bill also would take away at least $11
million that was meant to be used by state and local police against
"high-intensity" drug trafficking and give it to federal agents so
they can prosecute doctors attempting to prescribe medical marijuana
in California and the seven other states that have crafted programs
authorizing its limited use. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (9-13) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Now that the death of New Yorker Alberta Spruill after a mistaken
drug raid is being treated as homicide, more reports on mistaken
raids in the city are coming to light. In another case of mistaken
police priorities, the mayor of Tampa, Fla. has announced he is
pulling a number of community police officers off their beats to go
after drug dealers. He's not offering details about why the police
are expected to succeed this time. | ||||||||||||||||||
More overzealous enforcement tactics in Florida, as the manager of a
local McDonald's said he didn't know police had set up a sting
operation in his restaurant looking for suspicious activity in the
drive-through. Next time you're hungry and on the move, remember to
ask: Does a warrant come with those fries? | ||||||||||||||||||
In California, the state prison system has been immune to the
massive budget cuts faced by other government agencies, but that
hasn't stopped prisons from spending beyond their means. Now prison
officials are looking for a bailout. Finally, from Texas, the state
legislature has approved a plan that should get Tulia residents out
of prison some time - though they're not out yet. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(9) NYPD'S NO-KNOCK SEARCHES ARE DOORWAY TO DISASTER (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Days after cops ransacked the home of Marie and Robert Rogers and
held the Queens couple at gunpoint in a mistaken drug raid last
year, their attorney issued a prophetic warning. | ||||||||||||||||||
"We must do a better job of no-knock search warrants," lawyer Norman Siegel said during an October press conference. "Otherwise, someone might wind up dead as a result of how we implement this procedure." | ||||||||||||||||||
Today someone is dead. Her name was Alberta Spruill. | ||||||||||||||||||
Spruill, a 57-year-old church volunteer, suffered a heart attack and
died May 16 after flak-jacketed cops broke down her door and lobbed
a stun grenade into her small Harlem apartment in a mistaken search
for drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||
Marie Rogers, 62, a retiree from Springfield Gardens, had a similar experience seven months ago, although a stun grenade wasn't used in the raid on her apartment - and she lived to talk about it. | ||||||||||||||||||
"When I heard about what happened to this woman, I broke down and
cried," Rogers said. "You would have thought that I knew her. Then I
was angry." | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(10) OFFICERS PULLED TO FIGHT DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Up To A Third Of St. Petersburg's Community Police Force Is
Reassigned To Track Career Offenders | ||||||||||||||||||
ST. PETERSBURG - Hours after an innocent bystander was killed in a
driveby shooting, Mayor Rick Baker stood before a roomful of
politicians, police and reporters and assured them that St.
Petersburg is "a safe, a relatively safe city." | ||||||||||||||||||
"We are not immune from the acts of violent people, but we are
committed to bringing the people who commit these violent acts to
justice," Baker said in the April 25 news conference. | ||||||||||||||||||
Now, responding to mounting concern and criticism about public safety, police Chief Chuck Harmon has launched a secretive campaign to rid the city of the most violent elements of the drug trade. | ||||||||||||||||||
Harmon has formed a multiagency task force to execute what some
officers call the most aggressive crime operation since the mid
'90s. Up to a third of the city's community policing force has been
transferred to the task force, which will spend at least a month
targeting career offenders. | ||||||||||||||||||
"It's a vital public safety initiative," said Harmon, who did not
disclose details of the project but vowed to provide the public with
its results. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(11) MCSTING LACKED FRANCHISE APPROVAL (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
U.S. 41 Drive-Through Officer Catches Law-Breaking Customers | ||||||||||||||||||
Fort Myers police recently manned a new battle station in their fight against crime: the drive-through window at McDonald's. | ||||||||||||||||||
Dressed as a McDonald's employee, an undercover officer worked the
drive-through window March 21 and April 25 and spotted enough
wrongdoing inside customers' cars to warrant six arrests and 29
citations. | ||||||||||||||||||
But someone involved -- it wasn't really clear who on Friday -- may
end up with Egg McMuffin on his face because the owner of the
restaurant at 3645 Cleveland Ave. was never told and neither was the
fast-food chain's corporate headquarters. | ||||||||||||||||||
"We don't get involved with those sort of things without consulting
counsel," franchise owner Samir Homsi said. "Somebody didn't do the
right steps. I'm upset, because I didn't know anything and they
didn't ask me." | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(12) PRISON SYSTEM MONEY REQUEST DRAWS CRITICISM (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
SACRAMENTO --California's prison system is asking for another $69
million because of overspending on its budget, fueled in part by
rising overtime costs. Critics, however, consider the request
another example of the Department of Corrections' failure to control
runaway costs -- even as the state faces a record budget deficit
that could spur tax increases and cuts to programs that serve the
most needy. | ||||||||||||||||||
"The Department of Corrections is the most poorly run state agency
in the state of California," said Assemblywoman Sarah Reyes,
D-Fresno, who serves on a subcommittee reviewing the prison budget.
"They have to be willing to solve the problem, not continually come
to the well for more money." | ||||||||||||||||||
Reyes faulted the department for being unable to accurately tell her
the number of inmates incarcerated in California, failing to develop
a modern information technology system and not filling vacancies,
prompting rising overtime costs. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(13) BILL ALLOWS COURT RELEASE OF PRISONERS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
TULIA - Thelma Johnson is one step closer to a reunion four years in the making. The Texas House of Representatives provided that step by unanimously approving a bill allowing the courts to release on bond 13 men and women still imprisoned from the 1999 Tulia drug sting. | ||||||||||||||||||
The measure could take a few days to work through the system, but
Johnson likely will soon see her nephew, Dennis Allen, walking free
up to her home for the first time in four years. | ||||||||||||||||||
"I can't describe that feeling. It's indescribable," Johnson said.
"If that's so, I don't think I could be that happy unless I went to
heaven." "It's been so long and such a hard road to keep going and
hoping that this thing comes to pass. I want him home. I want all of
them home." | ||||||||||||||||||
Johnson's wish appears fated to come true. | ||||||||||||||||||
The bill - passed without opposition in the House Wednesday and
unanimously clearing the Senate two weeks ago - would amend the
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to allow the 13 Tulia defendants to
be released on bond while the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
decides their cases. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (14-18) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Canada's new Cannabis Reform Bill leads the headlines this week. The
bill proposes to decriminalize possession of under 15 grams of
cannabis, while doubling the current penalties for cultivation. The
Liberal government has made this the centerpiece of a new $240
million federal anti-drug strategy, which includes more money for
education, prevention and enforcement. | ||||||||||||||||||
Our third story looks at Maryland's new medical marijuana bill, which will reduce the penalty for personal possession of cannabis to $100 if proof of a medical necessity is found. Next is a comprehensive report on new Deputy Drug Director of the ONDCP, Dr. Andrea Barthwell, who is the first physician to hold a senior position in the drug czar's office since the late 1980's. | ||||||||||||||||||
And lastly news from Australia that New South Wales has recently
announced a 4-year medical cannabis trial and a look at other
similar research being conducted around the world. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(14) CANADA MOVES TO EASE MARIJUANA POSSESSION LAW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The Canadian government introduced legislation today to | ||||||||||||||||||
After more than a year of internal debate on how to change marijuana
laws, the form the legislation took was a compromise between those
in the cabinet who see the drug as a minor nuisance and those who
fear that anything approaching legalization would increase use by
young people. | ||||||||||||||||||
The Bush administration has been vocal in cautioning Canada that
Washington would be forced to increase time-consuming border
searches if decriminalization of marijuana is enacted. American
officials say decriminalization would increase supplies and
trafficking. | ||||||||||||||||||
Canadian officials argued today that the legislation would modernize
law enforcement approaches to a drug whose use is often overlooked
by the local police. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(15) OTTAWA SET TO PREACH EVILS OF POT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The federal government plans to spend up to $240-million to convince Canadians of the evils of pot smoking even as it unveils a bill today to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||
The government is to introduce its controversial legislation amid
growing opposition from Liberal backbenchers who are urging a delay.
As many as 20 Liberal MPs oppose the legislation. | ||||||||||||||||||
"I don't believe this is right," Brenda Chamberlain said in an
interview yesterday. The MP from Guelph, Ont., sent Prime Minister
Jean Chretien a letter urging him to reconsider. "I'm really
frustrated. I think this is a wrong turn for our government and it's
a wrong turn for our kids." | ||||||||||||||||||
Federal sources said the $240-million will pay for a new national
drug strategy to be announced today that will include a | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(16) MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL SIGNED IN MARYLAND (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Gov. Robert Ehrlich signed a medical marijuana bill Thursday,
reducing the criminal penalties for patients who use the drug to
reduce severe pain. | ||||||||||||||||||
After a flurry of vetoes the day before, Mr. Ehrlich also endorsed legislation enabling local school boards to allow charter schools. | ||||||||||||||||||
Supporters praised the signing of the Darrell Putnam Compassionate
Use Act, which provides a total $100 fine and no jail time for
marijuana possession if proof of medical necessity is offered. The
act is named for a former Green Beret who used marijuana in the
waning years of his terminal cancer. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(17) NEW DEPUTY DRUG DIRECTOR NO HARD-LINER (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Dr. Andrea Barthwell cringes when she hears phrases like "zero
tolerance" and "gateway drug." This might seem like an odd reaction
from the White House deputy drug czar, but then Barthwell is not
your typical war-on-drugs hard-liner. | ||||||||||||||||||
Barthwell is the first physician appointed to a senior position in
the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy since the
late 1980s. | ||||||||||||||||||
An African American who spent most of her career helping stem
addiction among minorities and women with children in Chicago, she's
also a Democrat. In fact, her nomination was backed by such liberal
leaders as Sen. Paul Wellstone of Minnesota. | ||||||||||||||||||
So what is she doing in the Bush White House? | ||||||||||||||||||
"I really thought about it," Barthwell said in an interview last
week. "It's the issue." | ||||||||||||||||||
Addiction is an issue she cares about deeply. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(18) POT SHOT AT TREATING A RANGE OF ILLNESSES IN AUSTRALIA (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
NSW Premier Bob Carr's recent announcement of a four-year medical trial of cannabis, a first for Australia, attracted immediate controversy, with tabloid headlines calling the plan Plain Dopey. | ||||||||||||||||||
But a trial will include Australia in an already well-established
global quest to spell out the pharmaceutical benefits of this
demonised, misunderstood but ever-popular drug. | ||||||||||||||||||
Advanced clinical trials are under way around the world, exploring
the medicinal use of cannabis in several illnesses. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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International News | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (19-22) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
UN secretary general Kofi Annan's representative on human rights,
Hina Jilani, said the Thai government is using the "war on drugs"
campaign to kill minorities. Jilani's statement adds to the chorus
of human rights workers who have decried the Thai government's
pogrom against drug users which has claimed over 2,000 lives since
February. | ||||||||||||||||||
Two Leviathans, China and the United States, sing in harmony when
the topic is prohibition. Public relations releases from both
authoritarian nations last week ballyhooed the arrest of an alleged
heroin merchant, Kin-cheung "125" Wong, who will be put to death
after a summary trial. Chinese and U.S. secret police hailed "the
most ambitious joint effort ever," as the dawn of a new era of
cooperation in crushing deviation from prohibition. | ||||||||||||||||||
As the U.S. and her allies struggle to occupy Afghanistan, the UN
Office on Drugs and Crime announced last week Afghanistan was once
again the largest (illegal) opium grower in the world. Afghanistan
now produces some 3400 metric tons annually, estimated to be
three-fourths of the global total. | ||||||||||||||||||
Government drugs experts in the UK tossed aside blanket "just say
no" ads for a new "Frank Talk" campaign that is to distinguish among
different substances. The 3 million pound "Frank Talk" campaign
replaces ads which included pictures of a needle-clutching corpse
intended by government to shock youngsters. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(19) THAI DRUGS WAR 'TARGETED MINORITIES' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The UN secretary general's special representative on human rights
has criticised the Thai Government for its handling of a major
initiative against alleged drug dealers. | ||||||||||||||||||
Speaking at the end of a week-long tour in Thailand, Hina Jilani
said the authorities had used the campaign to target minority groups
in the country. | ||||||||||||||||||
More than 2,000 people died in Thailand's anti-drugs | ||||||||||||||||||
The government's so-called war on drugs was a three month law
enforcement campaign beginning in March, designed to rid the country
of its image as a haven for drug dealers. | ||||||||||||||||||
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra declared it a major success - but
not everyone agrees. | ||||||||||||||||||
Human rights groups have criticised what they call the violent
conduct of the campaign - and say that more than 2,000 people have
been killed by police since March. | ||||||||||||||||||
Kofi Annan's representative on human rights, Hina Jilani, is the
latest to add her voice to that criticism. | ||||||||||||||||||
"There are indications that this campaign against drugs is being
used by security forces to target the more marginalised | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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| ||||||||||||||||||
(20) CHINA, U.S. COOPERATE IN LARGE HEROIN STING (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Wong's arrest, law enforcement officers said, should mark the final
chapter in the career of a major heroin trafficker. Possession of
this much heroin in China with the intent to distribute is a crime
punishable by death. | ||||||||||||||||||
But law enforcement officials also said they hoped Wong's capture
could lead to something more -- a breakthrough in the sometimes
troubled history of U.S.-China legal cooperation. China has become
an increasingly important transit point for heroin from Burma to the
United States, U.S. officials said. Interdiction has been hampered
not only by China's porous borders and corruption but also by the
slow pace of international cooperation. | ||||||||||||||||||
The 20-month operation to dismantle Wong's alleged trafficking
network was the most ambitious joint effort ever by the law
enforcement agencies of the United States and China, law enforcement
officials of both countries said. Agents worked in numerous time
zones, communicated in multiple languages and chased criminals with
various nationalities and aliases, such as Cuttlefish, Four-eyes,
Kitty, Lazy Man and 125 -- Wong's nickname, a reference to his
125-kilogram (275-pound) weight. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(21) TOP OPIUM PRODUCER (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Paris (Reuters) - Three years after the Taleban stamped out opium
growing in Afghanistan, a United Nations expert said yesterday the
country had reclaimed its spot as the world's biggest opium
producer. | ||||||||||||||||||
Afghanistan now produces about 3400 tonnes a year, about 75% of
global production, said Sandeep Chawla, head of research at the UN
Office on Drugs and Crime. | ||||||||||||||||||
Mr Chawla said Afghanistan's opium was worth $US1.2 billion ( $NZ2.07 billion ) to its farmers last year, while traffickers made a further $US1.3 billion - still only a fraction of its street value. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(22) FRANK TALK IS LATEST STRATEGY TO FIGHT DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The Government has dropped the shock tactics of its previous appeals
in a new UKP3m cyber-campaign. | ||||||||||||||||||
The Government abandoned its "just say no" strategy against drug
misuse yesterday in favour of encouraging an open discussion about
the highs and lows of taking different substances. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
The Government has struggled for years to find the | ||||||||||||||||||
Last year, the Government issued a video to schools that contained disturbing pictures of the corpse of Rachel Whitear, 21, a heroin addict. Ministers said they wanted pupils to be shocked. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
But Bob Ainsworth, a Home Office minister, said: "This is the first
time the Government has tried to reach out to parents and carers as
well as children to give them honest, credible, accessible
information about drugs." | ||||||||||||||||||
Hazel Blears, a health minister, said: "The days when we could simply tell people how to live their lives are long gone. That kind of material, that kind of campaign simply doesn't work." | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
My Contribution To Science | ||||||||||||||||||
by Marc J. Victor at Lewrockwell.com | ||||||||||||||||||
"Determined to be honest and honorable, I decided to recuse myself
on all drug-related cases. To avoid being accused of having secret
or illegitimate motives, I drafted a detailed six page minute entry
explaining the legal reasons underlying my anticipated recusal. I
believed the parties had a right to know why I refused to hear their
case. After all, the government, including judges, are supposed to
be agents of the people; not masters." | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Stop Wisconsin from Implementing State Ban on Drug Offenders'
Student Aid | ||||||||||||||||||
Find your Representative at: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/waml and
send her a letter voicing your opposition to this ill conceived
legislation at: | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Canadian Cannabis Debate Audio Files | ||||||||||||||||||
A number of recent programs on the issue posted by Tim Meehan | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
MS, Marijuana and Me | ||||||||||||||||||
Alison Myrden has Multiple Sclerosis. Her condition causes her constant pain, bladder problems and leg spasms. The drugs prescribed for her condition render her comatose. Instead, Alison chooses medical marijuana. Come spend a day with her and find out why. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Marijuana Party President Loretta Nall New Pot TV News Anchor | ||||||||||||||||||
Loretta talks about Canada's new Drug Strategy, a sting that used an
unwilling McDonalds franchise and the persecution of pot star Tommy
Chong. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Jacob Sullun, author of Saying Yes: In Defense of Drug Use, answers
calls from viewers in a C-Span interview. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Cultural Baggage Radio Show | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday, May 30, At Midnite, CT | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
We will discuss the need for drug treatment, what is use, abuse and
addiction. We will discuss what would happen in a world where drugs
are legal. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Moment of Truth for Medical Marijuana | ||||||||||||||||||
By Robert Kampia, AlterNet, May 29, 2003 | ||||||||||||||||||
On May 22, the state-federal conflict over medical marijuana heated
up, as Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich defied White House pressure and
became the first Republican governor to sign a medical marijuana
bill. Meanwhile, on June 4, a federal court in California is
scheduled to sentence Ed Rosenthal to at least five years in federal
prison for the crime of providing medical marijuana to seriously ill
people. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
LETTER OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
We Are The Many Casualties Of This Ongoing War On Pot | ||||||||||||||||||
By Christopher Largen | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
I am writing in response to Paul Wilcocks' insightful column entry
Don't Listen to the Drug Czar." | ||||||||||||||||||
Despite the overzealous reaction of our Drug Czar, Canada's recent push for sensible decriminalization policies gives hope to many U.S. citizens, like myself, who are fighting a war we never declared. | ||||||||||||||||||
Our casualty list is a poignant reflection of our national
diversity. We are sick and dying patients denied access to medical
cannabis. We are children wounded in the crossfire between black
market profiteers and law enforcement officials. We are innocent
citizens killed by police in our own homes during faulty drug raids.
We are police officers tortured and murdered over black-market
profits We are taxpayers who spend $40 billion annually to fight a
war that can never be won. We are people who die addicted or
imprisoned because most of our government resources are spent on law
enforcement versus treatment. | ||||||||||||||||||
After thirty years of perpetually escalating sentences and draconian
policies, we've lost more of our citizens here at home than we ever
did in Iraq. | ||||||||||||||||||
Despite this devastating human carnage, illegal drugs are still
readily available on any given street corner in America. This is the
terrible result of attempting to treat a public health problem as a
criminal justice issue. | ||||||||||||||||||
I hope Canadian officials will protect their national autonomy and
support drug policy reform. The retroactive eye of history may
regard them as progressive innovators who took a courageous stand
despite international pressure. | ||||||||||||||||||
Christopher Largen, | ||||||||||||||||||
Denton, Texas Referenced: | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
ROBERT SHARPE HAS HIS 1,000TH LETTER TO THE EDITOR PUBLISHED | ||||||||||||||||||
Robert started writing LTEs, and was already the top LTE writer,
while a college student and president of an SSDP chapter. His first
letter, published 19 November 1999, is archived here | ||||||||||||||||||
Undoubtedly we have missed dozens of his published letters which
simply didn't get newshawked, or appeared in newspapers that do not
post Letters to the Editor on line. | ||||||||||||||||||
Yes, he sends out several times more letters than are printed. But
he has been able to accomplish this impressive record with only
about an hour's effort each day. His tips for letter writers which
tells much about how he does it - solid advice for success - is
online at http://www.mapinc.org/resource/tips.htm | ||||||||||||||||||
We estimate that Robert's contribution to reform, through writing
letters, would cost about a million dollars if the same space had
been purchased as advertising. We can't outspend the ONDCP
advertising budget, but we can, with your help - one letter at a
time - insure that the public is aware that there is more to the
story than the ONDCP tells us in their ads. | ||||||||||||||||||
Please read through some of Robert's superb letters - borrow ideas
for your own letters. The thousand are archived at | ||||||||||||||||||
Below is Robert's 1000th published letter: | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
TREATMENT OPTIONS TURN POLITICAL | ||||||||||||||||||
Charles Richardson makes a strong case for drug courts in his May 11
column. For non-violent offenders with chronic substance abuse
problems, drug treatment is a cost-effective alternative to
incarceration. Unfortunately, drug courts are being misused for
political purposes. | ||||||||||||||||||
Record numbers of Americans arrested for marijuana possession have been forced into treatment by the criminal justice system. The resulting distortion of treatment statistics is then used by drug czar John Walters to make the claim that marijuana is "addictive." | ||||||||||||||||||
Zero tolerance drug laws do not distinguish between occasional use
and chronic abuse. The coercion of Americans who prefer marijuana to
martinis into taxpayer-funded treatment centers says a lot about
U.S. government priorities, but absolutely nothing about the
relative harms of marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||
For an objective take on marijuana, look to Canada. In the words of
Sen. Pierre Claude Nolin, "Scientific evidence overwhelmingly
indicates that cannabis is substantially less harmful than alcohol
and should be treated not as a criminal issue but as a social and
public health issue." | ||||||||||||||||||
The following U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration reports verify my claims regarding government
coercion: | ||||||||||||||||||
Treatment Episodes Data | ||||||||||||||||||
For more information on the Canadian Senate report: http://juror.ca/ | ||||||||||||||||||
The drug czar's deceptive anti-marijuana campaign can be verified
at: http://www.theantidrug.com/ | ||||||||||||||||||
Robert Sharpe | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
"Laws to suppress tend to strengthen what they would prohibit. This is
the fine point on which all the legal professions of history have
based their job security." -- Frank Herbert | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
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. | ||||||||||||||||||
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Policy and Law Enforcement/Prison content selection and analysis by Stephen Young (), Cannabis/Hemp content selection and analysis by Philippe Lucas (), International content selection and analysis by Doug Snead (), Layout by Matt Elrod () | ||||||||||||||||||
We wish to thank all our contributors, editors, NewsHawks and letter writing activists. Please help us help reform. Become a NewsHawk See http://www.mapinc.org/hawk.htm for info on contributing clippings. | ||||||||||||||||||
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