| July 2, 2004 #356 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Table of Contents
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THIS JUST IN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
(1) 20-YEAR DRUG SENTENCE TOSSED OVER SUPREME COURT RULING (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Gutting of Washington state law applies to W.Va., U.S. District Judge
Joseph R. Goodwin decides | ||||||||||||||||||
In a decision with national implications, a federal judge in
Charleston ruled Wednesday that a recent U.S. Supreme Court case that
gutted sentencing rules in Washington state also applies to federal
sentencing guidelines used here and across the country. | ||||||||||||||||||
Before an unusually crowded courtroom filled with lawyers and
probation officers, U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin reduced the
sentence of a St. Albans man who conspired to make methamphetamine
from 20 years to one year. | ||||||||||||||||||
Goodwin is only the second federal judge in the United States to rule
that the Supreme Court's decision in Blakely v. Washington applies to
the federal system. | ||||||||||||||||||
In that decision, the Supreme Court ruled that a judge cannot add time
to a convict's sentence based upon facts not considered by a jury or
admitted to by the defendant. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(2) US CA: DOCTOR GETS RESTRAINING ORDER VS. ASHCROFT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
A federal judge awarded a West Slope doctor who recommends medical
marijuana a temporary restraining order against Attorney General John
Ashcroft. | ||||||||||||||||||
Mollie Fry, whose clinic in Cool was raided by federal agents three
years ago, will appear in a San Francisco court next week to hear
whether a judge will make the order permanent. | ||||||||||||||||||
"I feel beaten and I'm asking him to stop beating me," Fry said. | ||||||||||||||||||
The temporary restraining order, approved by U.S. District Court Judge
William Alsup, elated Fry. | ||||||||||||||||||
"We need to continue to struggle against those who would take our
freedom away," she said. "I mean, hello, what more freedom do you have
than to choose?" | ||||||||||||||||||
Soon after Fry's restraining order was approved, Charles Miller, a spokesman for Ashcroft's office, said he was waiting to see it. | ||||||||||||||||||
"I'm not familiar with it as yet," Miller said. "There's all kinds of things out there that have been filed against the government." | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(3) US KY: DOCTOR IN PRESCRIPTION CASE KILLS HIMSELF (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
David Thurman Found Dead In His Office | ||||||||||||||||||
A doctor accused of improperly prescribing pain medication to patients
killed himself in his Barret Avenue office Monday night, authorities
said. David H. Thurman, 62, died of a gunshot wound in the head,
according to Jo-Ann Farmer, a Jefferson County deputy coroner, who
said yesterday that she pronounced him dead at the scene. He left a
note, but Farmer declined to release it, saying it is not a public
record. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thurman was found in his office by his wife, who had become worried
when he did not come home on time, Farmer said. | ||||||||||||||||||
In October, Thurman's medical license was suspended by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure. The board also filed a disciplinary complaint that accused Thurman of running a "substandard" medical practice, said J. Fox DeMoisey, Thurman's civil attorney. | ||||||||||||||||||
The suspension followed an August 2002 complaint alleging that Thurman had inappropriately prescribed methadone to a patient who later died of an overdose, according to a 16-page suspension order. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thurman's suspension was later overturned, but he was prohibited from
writing prescriptions for controlled substances pending the outcome of
a disciplinary hearing, DeMoisey said in an interview last night. A
hearing on that disciplinary complaint has been going on over the past
two to three weeks, DeMoisey said. That hearing was expected to
conclude next month. | ||||||||||||||||||
"We're about ready to turn this thing around," said DeMoisey, who had
expected to present expert witnesses favorable to Thurman in the next
two weeks. After the hearing concluded, the hearing officer would have
had 60 days to make a recommendation to a panel of the medical board,
which DeMoisey said he expected would have reviewed Thurman's case in
November. "Over the course of time, (Thurman) believed that he would
be vindicated, but the legal process kept grinding on and on,"
DeMoisey said. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(4) KENYA: KHAT LINKED TO SPERM PRODUCTION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Long thought to be linked to male impotence, khat - the succulent
green crop widely grown and chewed in Kenya and locally referred to as
miraa-is now said to boost men's sperm production. | ||||||||||||||||||
Researchers at King's College in London say they have established that
a chemical found in khat in Kenya could, contrary to the widely held
belief, boost the power of men's sperms. | ||||||||||||||||||
However, researchers at the British university still maintain that a prolonged consumption of miraa may actually damage the sperm. | ||||||||||||||||||
The findings, published by the British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) online health desk, will undoubtedly raise debate within the local research community, crop growers and drug regulators. | ||||||||||||||||||
In the study, controlled laboratory tests found that treated sperm became fertile faster and stayed fertile longer than untreated sperm. | ||||||||||||||||||
Invariably referred to as the "green gold" for the lucrative trade it oils in Kenya, miraa is a controversial mild narcotic, producing a "high" when chewed, but its use has been linked to long-term problems. | ||||||||||||||||||
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WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (5-8) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling promises to upset the apple cart of
federal sentencing guidelines. While the case wasn't about a drug
violation, the sentencing guidelines have helped to fill prisons
with drug offenders. | ||||||||||||||||||
Pharmaceutical manufacturers are working on a "safer" version of
OxyContin, according to the Wall Street Journal. Elsewhere, another
Florida school district is considering using a spray system to
detect traces of drugs in classrooms; and another New Jersey city
has challenged state laws by adopting a local law allowing needles
exchanges. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(5) JUSTICES, IN 5-4 VOTE, RAISE DOUBTS ON SENTENCING RULES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON, June 24 -- The Supreme Court invalidated the criminal sentencing system of the State of Washington on Thursday in a decision that also cast doubt on whether the 20-year-old federal sentencing guidelines can survive a constitutional challenge. | ||||||||||||||||||
Bitterly split in a 5-to-4 decision that cut across the court's
usual ideological lines, the justices continued a profound
five-year-long debate over the respective roles of judges and juries
in criminal sentencing. In this case, they ratcheted that debate up
to a new level that left the federal guidelines in constitutional
limbo and cast doubt on the validity of thousands of sentences, at
both the state and federal level. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sentencing in about a dozen states is likely to be affected by the
ruling. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(6) AS ABUSE OF PAINKILLERS CLIMBS, OXYCONTIN GETS REFORMULATED (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
To Thwart Improper Use, Pain Therapeutics' Version Can't Be
Dissolved, Crushed | ||||||||||||||||||
A California biotechnology company has taken a small step toward
developing an "abuse-resistant" form of the painkiller OxyContin,
joining a broader effort to prevent recreational use of prescription
pain medications. | ||||||||||||||||||
Abuse of prescription pain drugs has risen sharply over the last
several years, thanks in part to wider availability of the drugs and
a profusion of shady Internet-based pharmacies that don't ask for
prescription slips. According to a federal survey of drug use, 2.4
million Americans began nonmedical use of prescription painkillers
in 2001, more than quadruple the number in 1990. | ||||||||||||||||||
The problem is especially acute where long-lasting painkillers such
as OxyContin are concerned. OxyContin -- which last year produced
sales of almost $2 billion for its maker, closely held Purdue Pharma
LP, Stamford, Conn. -- can be easily crushed and then dissolved in
liquid or snorted. That process delivers a 12-hour dose of the drug
in a matter of minutes, creating an intense high. | ||||||||||||||||||
Oxycontin recently lost patent protection, potentially paving the
way for greater abuse with cheaper generics, but also presenting an
opportunity for reformulated versions of the drug. | ||||||||||||||||||
Drug makers have tried for years to develop ways of preventing abuse
of prescription drugs, but the road has been challenging. One of the
chief obstacles is that, by engineering abuse resistance into the
painkillers themselves, the medications are often rendered less
effective. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(7) SCHOOLS MAY USE SPRAY TO TRACE KIDS' DRUG USE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The Broward School Board Will Consider A New Aerosol That Could Be Used In Schools To Detect Drug Residue On Desks, Lockers Or Clothing | ||||||||||||||||||
Two years after approving the use of drug-sniffing dogs, Broward
County schools may have another narcotic-fighting weapon: an aerosol
spray that detects residue on school desks or backpacks, similar to
bomb-detection equipment used in airports. | ||||||||||||||||||
Despite research that shows drug use is down among high school
seniors since the early 1980s, school systems nationwide are
becoming more aggressive at trying to curtail the problem. And the
federal government is helping, with grants to more than 20 school
systems that want to try the new spray. | ||||||||||||||||||
If the Broward School Board approves the kits this fall, a principal
could rub sticky paper on a locker or desk -- or anything else that
might have been touched by a drug user -- and then spray it with a
chemical to find traces of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, speed and
Ecstasy. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(8) CITY COUNCIL OKS NEEDLE EXCHANGE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Camden last night became the second city in New Jersey to defy state
law enforcement officials by adopting a plan to provide clean
syringes to intravenous drug users. | ||||||||||||||||||
City Council passed the needle-exchange ordinance, 4-0, a week after
Atlantic City approved a similar program. On Wednesday, Atlantic
County Prosecutor Jeffrey Blitz filed suit to challenge Atlantic
City's program. | ||||||||||||||||||
Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi said he would review the Camden ordinance before deciding whether to take legal action. | ||||||||||||||||||
The state Attorney General's Office has declared that needle
exchanges violate state law. Some legislators have proposed bills
this year to allow various kinds of needle exchanges, but none of
the bills has become law. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (9-12) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Federal drug warriors engaged in extended hyperventilation last week
while announcing a big cocaine bust. Drug czar John Walters went so
far as to predict, "In the next 12 months, there will be reductions
in the availability of cocaine in the United States -- something we
haven't seen in a decade." Uh, OK, Mr. czar, whatever you say. Even
if he's right, it just means a new customer base for the
methamphetamine trade. | ||||||||||||||||||
Also last week, the leader of a Kentucky drug task force announced
plans to seek donations from the local business community to keep
the task force operating. In a bit of sweet irony, the funds for a
different Texas drug task force may be used to prosecute the
undercover investigator at the heart of the Tulia scandal. And a
North Carolina city is looking at taking drug dealers off the
streets by hiring them for legitimate work. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(9) COCAINE ROUTE TO U.S. BROKEN; 50 INDICTED IN CARIBBEAN PIPELINE | ||||||||||||||||||
They are the "modern-day Pirates of the Caribbean," law enforcement officials said, and on Wednesday more than 50 drug traffickers from seven countries were under indictment as a multinational task force announced it had broken the Caribbean's biggest cocaine connection. | ||||||||||||||||||
Attorney General John Ashcroft said two trafficking organizations
targeted in the indictments supplied 10 percent of the cocaine sold
on U.S. streets, or enough to provide a monthly dose to every adult
and high school student in the country. | ||||||||||||||||||
John Walters, director of the Office of National Drug Control
Policy, said the indictments and arrests would soon be felt on the
street. "In the next 12 months, there will be reductions in the
availability of cocaine in the United States -- something we haven't
seen in a decade," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(10) POLICE RENEW WAR ON DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Three months into his new job as leader of the Northern Kentucky
Drug Strike Force, veteran law officer Jim Liles says it's obvious
that the elite unit has shed its former image problems and gained
prominence for its expertise in finding the drug world's bad guys.
Now, however, the agency has a new challenge: finding the funding to
ensure its future. | ||||||||||||||||||
Liles sees that as one of his primary tasks in the years ahead. Fortunately, the retired 27-year veteran of the Covington Police Department knows the area and has some very definite ideas about how to drum up financial support to keep the unit working, perhaps in an area larger than the four Northern Kentucky counties it now covers. Six months after Liles retired from an assistant chief's job in Covington, the strike force's governing board hired him as director in March. He succeeded Jim Paine, whom Liles credits with greatly improving the professional image and effectiveness of the force, which for years was mired in problems that tarnished the agency's good name and hindered its mission. In the 1990s, the strike force saw one agent resign after admitting he lied to a judge, and one director quit after an employee accused him of sexual harassment. Between 1992 and 2001, the force had three directors and three interim directors before Paine was hired. During his tenure with the agency, Paine doubled the number of strike force agents, added Grant County to the coverage area and obtained Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police accreditation for the unit, the first in the state to do so. Liles said his immediate goal is to broaden the unit's financial base by appealing to both private and public interests. | ||||||||||||||||||
This summer, Liles will send letters to 300 local businesses,
seeking funds to assist the agency in its efforts to fight a problem
many employers see daily in the workplace. "We'll ask them to join
us in a partnership in the local community," Liles said. "Toyota and
other big businesses -- they support many local groups to fight
problems in the community and drugs are a big problem. -- It's
everybody's battle, really." Liles believes the strike force
boundaries for that battle must expand to include bordering rural
Northern Kentucky counties. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(11) BYRNE MONEY COULD PAY FOR COLEMAN PROSECUTION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
In what could be the mother of all ironies stemming from the Tulia
drug bust, one of the few federal narcotics grants coming to the
Panhandle next year could be used to prosecute the man some say cost
the area its drug task force and hundreds of thousands in federal
dollars. | ||||||||||||||||||
Gov. Rick Perry's Criminal Justice Division is considering is a $57,000 grant to Swisher County to pay for the prosecution of Tom Coleman, the undercover agent who conducted the Tulia drug sting. | ||||||||||||||||||
The federal grants are known as Byrne Grants. | ||||||||||||||||||
"That is unbelievable," said Randall County Sheriff Joel Richardson
when told of the purpose for the grant. "I guess I can't give you my
real reaction because it would be X-rated. | ||||||||||||||||||
"What could be more ridiculous than to use Byrne Grants to prosecute
the guy who cost everyone in the Panhandle their Byrne Grants?" he
asked. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(12) DRUG DEALERS WORKING FOR CITY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
HIGH POINT -- Want to put a drug dealer out of business for good?
Put him on the city payroll. | ||||||||||||||||||
That's one of the newest ideas city officials are trying as part of
a larger strategy to clean up one of High Point's worst drug
markets. | ||||||||||||||||||
The city is in the process of hiring four young men targeted by
police for suspected drug dealing in the West End neighborhood.
Instead of throwing them in jail, law enforcement and city officials
hope giving the men jobs will help them leave behind their criminal
past. | ||||||||||||||||||
"I know people in town will say 'What in the world is he doing?' "
said City Manager Strib Boynton. "And there's risk." | ||||||||||||||||||
But it's a calculated risk, he added. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (13-17) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
This week's hemp/cannabis section begins with an incredible National
Review article on the follies and failures of cannabis prohibition by
Ethan Nadelmann, Director of the Drug Policy Alliance. To have this
well-written piece appear in one of America's most respected
conservative publications is a real coup for drug policy reform, and
the article is well worth the read. | ||||||||||||||||||
Next is a story about the Supreme Court's decision to hear the
federal appeal of the 9th Circuit Court Raich/Monson ruling, which
found that the feds have no business interfering with state-approved
medicinal cannabis distribution so long as it was done on a
not-for-profit basis with a physician's support, and does not involve
intra-state commerce. And in other medicinal cannabis news, an Oregon
initiative that would expand on the state's current program looks on
track for inclusion on November's election ballot. The initiative
would permit legitimate users to possess up to 1lb of cannabis (up
from the current 3 ounces), would allow for the creation of
state-regulated dispensaries, and would also add nurse practitioners
and naturopaths to the rank of medical professionals allowed to
prescribe cannabis to those in need. | ||||||||||||||||||
In other election news, a Las Vegas judge has refused to allow 6000
misplaced signatures to be counted as part of a petition that would
give voters in Nevada a chance to pass a law legalizing the
possession of up to 3oz cannabis by adults. This court decision may
hurt the chances of having the initiative appear on the November
ballot. And lastly, a report from the European Union finally puts to
rest the oft-cited suggestion that today's cannabis is so much
stronger than it was in the 70s and 80s. The study cites that with
the exception of Holland, the strength of cannabis has remained
stable (at 6-8% THC) in Europe for the past 30 years. To those
readers in Canada and the U.S., I wish you respectively a happy
Canada Day (July 1st), and Independence Day (July 4th); this is a
good time for some reflection on the values that helped to shape our
2 great democracies, and to consider what can be done to get our drug
policies to reflect legal systems that should respect personal
freedoms, science and compassion, rather than being guided by fear
and misinformation. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(13) AN END TO MARIJUANA PROHIBITION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The Drive To Legalize Picks Up | ||||||||||||||||||
Never before have so many Americans supported decriminalizing and
even legalizing marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||
Seventy-two percent say that for simple marijuana possession, people
should not be incarcerated but fined: the generally accepted
definition of "decriminalization." Even more Americans support
making marijuana legal for medical purposes. | ||||||||||||||||||
Support for broader legalization ranges between 25 and 42 percent,
depending on how one asks the question. | ||||||||||||||||||
Two of every five Americans-according to a 2003 Zogby poll-say "the
government should treat marijuana more or less the same way it
treats alcohol: It should regulate it, control it, tax it, and only
make it illegal for children." | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(14) TOP COURT WILL TAKE OAKLAND POT CASE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear an Oakland-based case that could bring the ultimate decision on whether people who grow and use marijuana as medicine face federal arrest and prosecution. The court will hear the case this winter and rule by next summer. | ||||||||||||||||||
"This gives us an opportunity to make a nationwide precedent that will benefit patients," said Oakland attorney Robert Raich, among the lawyers for patient Angel McClary Raich, his wife; patient Diane Monson of Oroville; and two unnamed marijuana growers from Oakland. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(15) MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROPOSAL ON TRACK FOR OREGON BALLOT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Ailing people who legally use medical marijuana could possess more
of it under a measure activists are promoting for Oregon's fall
ballot. | ||||||||||||||||||
The proposed ballot measure contains other changes in the Oregon
law, all intended to make it easier for sick people who qualify for
the drug to get it. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sponsors said they are on track to turn in enough petition
signatures by Friday's deadline to place the measure on the Nov. 2
statewide ballot. | ||||||||||||||||||
The measure is opposed by the Bush administration, which calls it a
back-door attempt to legalize drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(16) VEGAS JUDGE REFUSES TO TALLY FORGOTTEN MARIJUANA SIGNATURES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
A District Court judge has ruled Clark County officials are not obligated to count thousands of petition signatures misplaced by leaders of a drive to legalize small amounts of marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday's decision jeopardizes the initiative's chances of qualifying for the November election since it reduces the number of signatures needed for verification and eventual placement on the ballot. | ||||||||||||||||||
The Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana turned in 35,000
signatures in Clark County, more than the 31,360 required. But most
petitions lose 30 percent of their signatures during the
verification process, which determines whether the signatures belong
to registered voters. | ||||||||||||||||||
Four days after the petition's June 15 deadline, the committee said it discovered a box containing 6,000 signatures from Clark County. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(17) EXTRA-HIGH CANNABIS THEORY GOES UP IN SMOKE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The effective strength of cannabis consumed in Britain has remained
stable for the past 30 years, according to a European Union study
published today. | ||||||||||||||||||
The research says there is no evidence for claims that most cannabis
consumed in Britain and the rest of Europe is now 10 times or more
stronger than it was in the 70s. | ||||||||||||||||||
The U.S. drugs "tsar" John Walters and toxicologist John Henry of St
Mary's hospital in Paddington, west London, are among those who have
warned that the cannabis available now bears little resemblance to
that on the market 30 years ago, with serious health dangers for
regular users. | ||||||||||||||||||
The EU study says that the strength of the active ingredient - THC -
has remained unchanged at about 6% for most of the cannabis smoked
in Britain. It says the amount of cannabis put in the typical
British joint has also remained constant for 20 years at about 200mg
for marijuana and 150mg for resin. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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International News | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (18-21) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
With prohibitionist and revolutionary zeal, Red China last week executed scores of drug offenders. Even Amnesty International, long silent on human rights violations involving "drugs", denounced the killings. Amnesty noted that "no convincing evidence has ever been produced that the death penalty deters would-be traffickers and users more effectively than any other punishment." Hard-line prohibitionists in the freedom-loving U.S. continually urge governments to 'get tough' -- like China. Yet drug offenses in China continue to rise, despite frequent executions of drug offenders. | ||||||||||||||||||
Shotgun prohibition piles up more bodies in the Philippines this week, as vigilantes in Davao City gunned down two more men released from jail on drug charges. Vigilantes in Davao City have killed 27 suspected drug offenders so far this year, twelve people were killed in June alone. Some 90 people were killed by death squads there in 2003. In nearby Thailand, vigilantes using the same methods are thought to be police. Earlier, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte had praised the death squads in their killing of those with suspected links to drugs. Meanwhile in Davao City, the drama centered around Davao City Mayor Duterte's refusal to submit to a drug test came to a head this week when the mayor submitted his test and apologized for being emotional over the matter. The mayor, master at garnering maximum publicity from a given event, claimed to have submitted his results to the Philippine National Police labs way back in March. | ||||||||||||||||||
Meanwhile in the Philippines last week, "delegates" at a shindig held at the Cebu Grand Hotel in Cebu City came up with a lofty declaration of their drug-free ideals. While elsewhere Philippine politicians stampede each other to get press for ever-more harsh proclamations against drug offenders, the theme of this get-together was, ironically, "Towards a Drug and Narcopolitics-free Philippines." Apparently, "narcopolitics" must not refer to the plain-old run-of-the-mill grandstanding that politicians do over drugs, non-stop. Claiming God was on the side of jailing drug users, the Philippine delegation piously denounced "the twin evils of drug abuse and narcopolitics, recognizing the vital role of faith." Faith in government was evident as delegates urged action via police, increased government budgets, and stricter enforcement of laws. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(18) CHINA SENTENCES DOZENS OF DRUG DEALERS TO DEATH (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
China has sentenced dozens of drug dealers to death ahead of the
International Day Against Drug Abuse, despite a chorus of protests
by human rights groups, state media has reported. | ||||||||||||||||||
In the south-western city of Chongqing alone, 16 drug traffickers
received death sentences in a public trial on Saturday, the
designated international anti-drug day, the official Xinhua news
agency reported. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Photographs splashed on official Web sites showed masked,
machinegun-toting police gripping the arms of convicts in prison
garb. | ||||||||||||||||||
A convicted drug dealer usually receives either a bullet in the back
of the head or a lethal injection. | ||||||||||||||||||
Rights groups such as Amnesty International, which opposes the death
penalty in all cases, called on Beijing to halt drug-related
executions and review future use of the death penalty. | ||||||||||||||||||
"We have seen an annual spree of executions in China in the run-up
to UN International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
in previous years," it said in a statement. | ||||||||||||||||||
"Yet no convincing evidence has ever been produced that the death
penalty deters would-be traffickers and users more effectively than
any other punishment," it said. | ||||||||||||||||||
China executed at least 50 people on drug-related charges last year,
but drug use, related crimes and trafficking are actually rising
despite these tactics, Amnesty said. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(19) DAVAO VIGILANTES KILL 2 MORE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
DAVAO CITY (PNA) - Two men, earlier arrested and jailed for drug
charges, were gunned down by vigilante hitmen in separate incidents
here last Sunday. Armando Marin, 32, a shoe repairman, of Lakandula,
Agdao district, was in his shop in Lapu-Lapu St. in Agdao at 10 a.m.
Sunday when two men on board a motorcycle arrived and shot him. At
10:30 p.m. of the same day, another drug suspect, Benjamin Jabonete,
34, out of prison on bail, was killed by motorcycle riding gunmen
outside his store in Dumanlas, Buhangin district. The death of the
two brought the vigilante death toll for this month to 12 and for
this year to 27. Last year, 90 persons, who were believed to be
engaged in illegal activities, were slain by suspected vigilante
"hit men. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(20) MAYOR FINALLY SUBMITS DRUG TEST RESULTS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte finally submitted his drug test certification before the Commission on Elections Monday afternoon. | ||||||||||||||||||
The mayor also apologized to the Comelec officials in the city for
his "inappropriate words" saying he was just emotional when he
uttered these. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Earlier, Duterte said he is willing to submit to the Comelec his
drug test result provided there was no order from the Comelec head
office that barred him from assuming office if he defies the
mandatory submission of drug test certification. | ||||||||||||||||||
It was learned that the mayor had taken the drug test before the PNP
Crime Laboratory on March 20 where he tested negative for illegal
drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(21) NARCOPOLITICS-FREE COUNTRY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The following is an edited version of the joint | ||||||||||||||||||
"Evil triumphs when good men and women do nothing." | ||||||||||||||||||
Inspired by these immortal words, we, the 109 delegates from Luzon,
Visayas, and Mindanao have gathered to listen to, discuss and pray
with one another on the topic: "Towards a Drug and | ||||||||||||||||||
We stand united against the twin evils of drug abuse and
narcopolitics, recognizing the vital role of faith in this advocacy
and the need to build trust by living in truth. We are inspired by a
vision larger than ourselves; of a dream that transforms us even as
it transforms society. | ||||||||||||||||||
In the past, rhetoric not translated into action led to failure in
the efforts against illegal drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Effective awareness and drug education programs remain largely
non-existent. Law enforcement ranks and government resources are
very thinly stretched while drug money corrupts government,
business, and civil society. | ||||||||||||||||||
Increased government budgetary allocations for the anti-drug campaign, particularly the government rehab centers, must be assured and released. Continuing education vis-a-vis R.A. 9165 is a must. | ||||||||||||||||||
Poverty and unemployment need to be addressed; fear and public
apathy, overcome. The financial and managerial infrastructure of the
drug trade must be countered through effective police work and
strict implementation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
CBC PLAY GOES TO POT | ||||||||||||||||||
Airing just before the election, CBC's play Goes to Pot, the full
hour and a half, with footage from Fill the Hill, Interviews with
Cops and Counter Culture Icons, and a cannabis taste test featuring
the BCMP crew. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
CULTURAL BAGGAGE RADIO SHOW | ||||||||||||||||||
06/29/04: Mary Lynn Mathre & Al Byrne | ||||||||||||||||||
Guests include Mary Lynn Mathre RN and Al Byrne of Patients Out Of
Time who discuss the recent Cannabis Conference. Charles Thomas of
the Unitarian Church discusses the recent Wash Post article on
medical marijuana acceptance by many religions. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
POST CANADIAN ELECTION POT PLAN | ||||||||||||||||||
Marc Emery gives his synopsis of the Cnadian election results and offers viewers ways to optimize the new minority government in Canada. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
FROM ABU GHRAIB TO YOUR LOCAL PRISON | ||||||||||||||||||
By Matthew Briggs, AlterNet. Posted July 1, 2004. | ||||||||||||||||||
The myth of liberation in Iraq has been replaced with a less photogenic reality - one that looks a lot like the war on drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
PROTECTING PATIENTS' RIGHTS | ||||||||||||||||||
By Baylen J. Linnekin, AlterNet. Posted June 29, 2004. | ||||||||||||||||||
The Supreme Court considers whether sick and dying patients living in
states permitting medical marijuana use should be protected from
federal law enforcement. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
MPP'S ROB KAMPIA ON CNNFN: TRANSCRIPT | ||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2004, CNN | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Supreme Court Takes On Medical Marijuana Case | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
DRUG TESTING DOESN'T ENHANCE WORKPLACE PERFORMANCE, STUDY SAYS | ||||||||||||||||||
July 1, 2004 - Layerthorpe, United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||||||
Workplace drug testing programs do not deter employees from using illicit substances, nor do they increase workers' on-the-job performance, according to a study released this week in Britain by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the think-tank DrugScope. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
http://www.drugscope.org.uk/uploads/goodpractice/documents/Drug%20testing.pdf | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
LETTER OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
USING POT NOT A PROBLEM | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Re: Drug war failing, Editorial, Burnaby Now, June 12 | ||||||||||||||||||
Your words were a breath of fresh air to this retired police
officer. | ||||||||||||||||||
Indeed, we could save hundreds, perhaps thousands, of lives if we
focused on intoxicated drivers and not on someone using cannabis
responsibly in their own home. | ||||||||||||||||||
Eighteen years of law enforcement experience and I never went to one
call for service generated by the use of cannabis. | ||||||||||||||||||
Officer Howard J. Wooldridge ( retired ) media director, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition ( www.leap.cc ) Dallas, Texas | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
New DrugSense Site Launched | ||||||||||||||||||
By Philippe Lucas | ||||||||||||||||||
It is with great pride and pleasure that DrugSense announces the
launch of its new and improved website (www.drugsense.org), the first
major facelift of our site in years! | ||||||||||||||||||
Our new site makes use of the newest technology on the web to allow
users to exercise more control over content and to personalize
DrugSense to meet individual needs. | ||||||||||||||||||
Now amazing drug war resources like the Media Awareness Project (the
world's largest archive of drug-related news articles), the DrugSense
Weekly Newsletter, and Drug Policy Central's internet services and
tools are together in one convenient location! | ||||||||||||||||||
In addition, by simply registering with the new site, you can access
our Premium services for free! As you will see, membership does have
its privileges: | ||||||||||||||||||
As a registered user you can: | ||||||||||||||||||
* Access Features and Services for Members Only * Access Multimedia Content * Select From Different Themes * Access Private Messages * Personalize Headlines * Create your own Blog .. and so much more! | ||||||||||||||||||
So please consider this your invitation to rediscover one of the
world's most popular drug policy reform websites, | ||||||||||||||||||
DrugSense maintains these great resources and services through your
generosity. If you believe that our drug laws should be based on
science, reason and compassion, rather than fear and misinformation,
please go to: http://www.drugsense.org/donate.htm#supportds and give
what you can to put an end this attack on our freedoms and civil
liberties. | ||||||||||||||||||
Enjoy the new site. If you have feedback or comments please send them
to | ||||||||||||||||||
Thank you for your continued support, | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
"Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to
make mistakes." - Mahatma Ghandi | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
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 | ||||||||||||||||||
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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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