| Oct. 15, 2004 #371 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Table of Contents
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THIS JUST IN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) US AK: ANTI-POT TEAM ATTACKS PUSH TO LEGALIZE IT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. deputy drug czar, top cops, physicians join forces against Ballot
Measure 2. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The governor, his wife, a key federal anti-drug official, medical professionals and top Alaska cops led an assault Wednesday on a ballot initiative that would legalize pot, saying it could damage everything from schoolchildren to the state's relationship with the military. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The anti-drug team, members of which pitched their message at a press
conference and a luncheon, represented the strongest, most organized
airing so far of the opposition to Ballot Measure 2, which will go
before voters in the Nov. 2 election. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
White House deputy drug czar Scott Burns, at a press conference at a juvenile drug treatment center in East Anchorage, said that according to one state study, almost 50 percent of high school students in Alaska reported using marijuana at least once. "That is phenomenal." | ||||||||||||||||||||
And dangerous, he said, because marijuana is far more potent than it was in the 1960s and '70s. "This is now a rite of middle school drug." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(2) US WI: POLICE TAKE OVER WEB SITE TO CATCH ONLINE DRUG BUYERS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
When Rhinelander police busted a man on suspicion of possessing cocaine he bought over the Internet, the usual course of action would have been to end the investigation after finding the source of the drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But in a tactic authorities called one of the first of its kind in Wisconsin, federal investigators joined the case. They not only found what they believe was the drug source, but they adopted the accused online drug dealer's persona in order to catch his customers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The new strategy, called sanctions-based demand reduction, was spearheaded by former Deputy Attorney General Larry D. Thompson, and it has gone into use here in the last six months, said J.B. Van Hollen, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Before, we probably would have just taken Mr. Franzl and closed down the site and not done anything further," Van Hollen said. "We wouldn't have gone down the ladder to figure out who some of his buyers are." | ||||||||||||||||||||
But in this case, the first involving Internet drug sales in the
federal court's Western District - roughly the western two-thirds of
the state - authorities from the federal Drug Enforcement
Administration and the North Central Drug Enforcement Group, a
conglomerate of several northern Wisconsin law enforcement agencies,
pretended to fill Internet orders. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(3) US CA: STATE BACKS MEDICAL POT CASE BEFORE U.S. SUPREME COURT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Attorney General Files Brief Supporting Two Californians | ||||||||||||||||||||
California Attorney General Bill Lockyer sided with two medical
marijuana patients Wednesday in their U.S. Supreme Court battle with
the Bush administration, arguing that patients who use locally grown
marijuana in states that allow it should be protected from federal
drug enforcement. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"The federal government has limited authority to interfere with state
legislation enacted for the protection of citizen health, safety and
welfare, " Lockyer's office said in papers filed with the court on
behalf of California, Maryland and Washington, three of the 11
states with medical marijuana laws. | ||||||||||||||||||||
His brief noted that the 1970 Controlled Substances Act, which
classified marijuana as a dangerous drug with "no currently accepted
medical use," was passed long before the AIDS epidemic and before
large numbers of doctors began recommending pot to counter the
effects of therapy for AIDS and cancer. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interstate Commerce | ||||||||||||||||||||
In light of those developments, the federal ban on marijuana possession
should not be interpreted to apply to the state-regulated medicinal
use of a drug that is obtained within a state, said Taylor Carey, a
special assistant attorney general who wrote Lockyer's brief. Otherwise,
Carey argued, enforcement of the law would exceed Congress'
constitutional power to regulate interstate commerce. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(4) CANADA: CONTENTIOUS POT BILL BACK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
OTTAWA - The federal government is poised to reintroduce controversial legislation to decriminalize marijuana and will accompany it with a bill giving police the power to force drivers to take a test, when warranted, to prove whether they are driving while stoned. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In an interview with The Montreal Gazette, Justice Minister Irwin
Cotler said he plans to introduce both pieces of legislation sometime
in the next month. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Nor does Cotler have any plans to change the legislation
decriminalizing marijuana first introduced by his predecessor Martin
Cauchon. "It might get changed in committee but we are basically
reintroducing that legislation." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Currently, the law obliges drivers to submit to a breathalyzer test
if police suspect they have been driving under the influence of
alcohol, but there has been no legal obligation for anyone to submit
to a test to determine whether they are under the influence of
marijuana, he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Now a technology has been developed which allows for a parallel
process with regard to drug-impaired driving to be investigated and
enforced as we have for alcohol-impaired driving." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (5-9) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The drug war is finally getting some attention in the U.S.
Presidential elections. Unfortunately, the attention isn't
particularly thoughtful. Both sides say they are going to be tough
on methamphetamine, though the drug czar's office under the current
administration has seemed more concerned with marijuana than
anything else. The Democratic challenger seems to have a slightly
better view on medical marijuana, according to analysis in the San
Francisco Chronicle. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Neither candidate seems to have much to say about an increasing U.S.
military commitment to Colombia, a process that started under the
pretext of anti-drug operations. There is some interesting talk
about drug policy in an Indiana race for the U.S. House, where a
notorious incumbent Republican drug warrior is being criticized over
his dreadful legislation that helped to take financial aid away from
students who have drug convictions. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(5) DEMOCRATS ROLL OUT PLANS TO BEAT METH (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign on Monday unveiled a
nationwide plan to fight methamphetamine use and production, which
has plagued Missouri since at least 2001, when the state became the
national leader in labs seized. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The plan, announced by Kerry's running mate, Sen. John Edwards, in a
nationwide conference call with reporters, calls for $30 million per
year in additional spending on law enforcement, education, lab
clean-up and measures to prevent common methamphetamine ingredients
from falling into the hands of potential "cooks." | ||||||||||||||||||||
It will be paid for by reductions in what Edwards called "wasteful
government spending," although he did not offer any specific
spending cuts. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Calling methamphetamine "a cancer on rural America," Edwards cited a 79 percent increase nationwide in lab seizures since President Bush took office as evidence that the drug is a growing problem. | ||||||||||||||||||||
To reduce the trend, the plan specifically calls for tighter
restrictions on the sale of pseudoephedrine, sold commonly as cold
pills such as Sudafed. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Republicans, however, are skeptical. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(6) DRUG CZAR DEFENDS ADMINISTRATION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. drug czar John Walters defended President Bush's attempts to
fight the spread of methamphetamine during a stop Wednesday in
Alabama, where the highly addictive stimulant now is the No. 1
drug threat. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Responding to criticism earlier this week from Democratic vice
presidential candidate John Edwards, Walters said the government was
trying to both clamp down on the availability of meth ingredients
from manufacturers and to encourage states to limit retail access to
common cold remedies that are used to make meth. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Walters said he was sorry the Democrats didn't know the | ||||||||||||||||||||
"We're in a season when people make a lot of different charges because of the politics of the time," Walters said in response to a reporter's question. "The reality is this: The same drug use survey that showed we had an 11 percent decline in teenage drug use showed we had a 13.5 percent decline in teenage methamphetamine use." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(7) MEDICAL MARIJUANA ADVOCATES LIKELY TO GET A BREAK UNDER KERRY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Democrat Says He Would Stop Pot Club Raids Pushed By Bush | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sen. John Kerry hasn't tried to make medical marijuana an issue in
his presidential campaign, but he has some differences with
President Bush on the subject. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Kerry says he would end the raids that have been a feature of the
Bush administration's crackdown on medical marijuana in California,
where voters approved the use of the drug for medical purposes in
1996. The Massachusetts senator has also signed a letter urging the | ||||||||||||||||||||
Perhaps most importantly, Kerry said at a campaign forum last year
that his "disposition is personally favorable" to marijuana as
medicine, but that he would await further scientific studies before
taking a definitive stand. He also criticized mandatory minimum
prison sentences for first offenders and called for more drug
education and treatment. | ||||||||||||||||||||
That's not nearly as far as activists would like him to go. Kerry
hasn't endorsed legalizing medical marijuana at the federal level or
leaving the issue up to the states and hasn't backed legislation,
currently stalled in Congress, that would allow patients and
suppliers to use their state laws as a defense against federal
charges. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(8)CONGRESS APPROVES DOUBLING U.S. TROOPS IN COLOMBIA TO 800 | ||||||||||||||||||||
BOGOTA, Colombia, Oct. 10 - The number of American military
personnel here will double, to 800, in the coming months, based on a
weekend vote in the United States Congress. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The action was welcomed by President Alvaro Uribe's government for its fight against Marxist rebels but condemned by human rights monitors, who warned of a sharp escalation in Colombia's conflict. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The 2005 United States Defense Department authorization act,
approved Saturday by Congress, also permits the Bush administration
to increase the number of American citizens working for private
contractors in Colombia to 600 from 400. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The soldiers and many of the contractors will, among other things, develop and analyze intelligence on rebel movements, do surveillance and train Colombian troops in counterguerrilla operations. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(9) CHALLENGER ATTACKS SOUDER LAW ON DRUGS, COLLEGE AID (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON - Rep. Mark Souder, R-3rd, hasn't done enough to change
the federal government's policy about financial aid for college
students who have drug convictions, Democratic congressional
candidate Maria Parra said Friday. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Parra, who hopes to beat the five-term incumbent, said denying
grants or scholarships to people who have been convicted of using or
selling drugs does not help people with drug problems. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"If anything," she said, "the law perpetuates the cycle of addiction
and denies aid to those who need it most." | ||||||||||||||||||||
An amendment Souder authored six years ago put restrictions on who
can receive government aid to attend college. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Souder said the Clinton and Bush administrations interpreted the rule too restrictively, leading to the limitation or denial of aid to anyone who had previously been convicted of drug offenses. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Souder said he intended his provision to apply to students who were
already enrolled in college. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (10-13) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Another embarrassing goof-up for a drug task force this week, this time in Kentucky. It appears the failure to file appropriate paperwork will nullify several cases the drug task force had made. A drug task force is causing another kind of problem in Virginia, where an increase in drug arrests are helping to create a backlog at the state's forensic lab. Many drug cases are being thrown out of court because the lab results aren't being returned quickly enough. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Also last week, a voter initiative to repeal California's
"three-strikes" law seems to have support, while the first
conviction in a New York police drug corruption scandal was handed
down. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(10) LEGAL CHALLENGE THREATENS DRUG CASES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Lawyer Says Task Force Paperwork Is Faulty | ||||||||||||||||||||
A legal challenge to the authority of some drug detectives in
southern Kentucky raises the threat of charges being dismissed in
numerous cases. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The issue centers on whether Operation UNITE properly filed the
agreement under which local officers work as part of the federally
funded multi-county task force. | ||||||||||||||||||||
McKee attorney Sharon K. Allen has argued that UNITE officers did not have jurisdiction to investigate cases in Jackson County or arrest a woman she represents, in part because the agency filed its operating agreement with the county in the wrong courthouse office. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The challenge could snowball throughout the 10 other counties in
UNITE's Cumberland Area Task Force and, depending on court rulings,
affect the outcome of hundreds of charges. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(11) REPORT - DRUG EVIDENCE PILING UP AT STATE FORENSIC LABS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
NORFOLK, Va. -- A statewide surge in drug arrests and staffing
shortages in Virginia's four forensic laboratories have created a
massive evidence backlog and have caused some felony drug cases to
be dropped, police and prosecutors say. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Scientific analysis of drug evidence that normally would be
completed in 10 days was taking an average of 82 days at the end of
August, Paul B. Ferrara, director of the state's Division of
Forensic Science, told The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The backlog has stalled cases in general district courts, where
informal state guidelines set a goal of decisions on most matters
within 60 days of an arrest. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Last year, about 42,900 cases were referred to the labs, Ferrara
said. By this year's end, he expects a total of 47,140. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ferrara attributes the increase to the success of drug task forces
and to the emergence of new "designer" drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
While the number of cases has grown, the staff of drug chemists has
shrunk to 33, with five vacant positions, he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(12) PROP. 66 CAMPAIGN UNLEASHES EMOTIONS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Initiative to Ease Harshest Sentencing Law in U.S. Gaining | ||||||||||||||||||||
To backers of Proposition 66, which would soften California's harsh
"three strikes, you're out" law, next month's election is all about
thousands of prison inmates like Alex Price. A San Jose judge put
Price behind bars for life for a "third strike" of possessing less
than a gram of methamphetamine. | ||||||||||||||||||||
To opponents, particularly in law enforcement, the vote boils down to convicts like John Bunyard. A career criminal with a rap sheet of murders and rapes, the "third-striker" sentenced to life in Santa Clara County would be eligible for release if Proposition 66 passes. | ||||||||||||||||||||
These grim choices highlight an increasingly tense and vigorous
campaign over the future of the toughest sentencing law in the
nation. With weeks to go before the election, there is no apparent
middle ground for voters, who are being bombarded with emotionally
charged examples of why a change in the "three strikes" law would
either result in fair justice or releasing violent felons to the
streets. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(13) COP IN CORRUPTION CASE GETS 2 YEARS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
NEW YORK - A former narcotics detective who renovated his Long Island home with $45,000 in stolen drug money was sentenced to two years in prison Friday despite his lawyers pleas that he was drunk and distraught over his wife's ill health during the theft. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Carlos Rodriguez was the first New York police officer sentenced in
New York 's worst police corruption scandal in a decade. At least
nine officers have been implicated in thefts of cocaine and drug
money linked to their work on a northern Manhattan anti-narcotics
initiative. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rodriguez, 39, pleaded guilty in April, saying that he and another
officer stole more than $100,000 in drug proceeds from a dealer and
split the cash. Rodriguez admitted he took $45,000 and paid a
contractor for improvements to his home on Long Island. | ||||||||||||||||||||
His attorney Susan Walsh, said in a letter to U.S. District Judge
Carol Amon that Rodriguez robbed a drug courier after a night of
social drinking with another detective, Thomas Rachko, in the summer
of 2000. The pair pulled over the courier on the Upper West Side of
Manhattan, identified themselves as police officers and took the
money from the trunk of his vehicle, Walsh said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Walsh said Friday the veteran detective was upset about the health of his wife, who has multiple sclerosis, when he robbed the courier. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (14-17) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Well, election time certainly brings out the best and worse of
people, and the debate around cannabis reform is certainly no
exception. Our first article this week is a comprehensive
examination of 3 of the upcoming U.S. state ballot initiatives:
Oregon, Alaska and Montana. This is followed by the strange story of
the mayor of Brownsville, Oregon, who just resigned after being
charged with the distribution of and manufacture of cannabis, as
well as with 3 counts of endangering a minor. Apparently the
well-respected mayor was found with over 31 plants and 12 lbs of
cannabis in her home. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Some bad news from Ontario this week as Community Safety Minister
Monte Kwinter announced that he is championing new provincial
legislation that would allow local power utilities to cut the
electricity of suspected grow-ops. I guess that all that "due
process/innocent until proven guilty" stuff was getting in the way
of community safety. | ||||||||||||||||||||
And finally from Holland, news that the Dutch federal medical cannabis program has been unable to sell much of its marijuana due to stiff competition from coffee shops, which offer a greater variety at cheaper prices than the government product. Well duh! | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(14) VOTERS IN WESTERN U.S. WEIGH MEDICAL MARIJUANA (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Bush administration's war on drugs stretches deep into Asia and
Latin America, yet one of its most crucial campaigns -- in the eyes
of drug czar John Walters -- is being waged this fall among voters
in Oregon, Alaska and Montana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In each state, activists seeking to ease drug laws have placed a
marijuana-related proposal on the Nov. 2 ballot as part of a
long-running quest for alternatives to federal drug policies they
consider harsh and ineffective. | ||||||||||||||||||||
If all three measures are approved, Montana would become the 10th
state to legalize pot for medical purposes, Oregon would
dramatically expand its existing medical-marijuana program, and
Alaska would become the first state to decriminalize marijuana
altogether. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(15) BROWNSVILLE, OREGON MAYOR RESIGNS | ||||||||||||||||||||
Kathleen Swayze, who was arrested along with her husband, Dee,
Thursday evening in a marijuana bust at their home and business in
Brownsville, has resigned as the city's mayor. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Swayze, who has been praised for her energy and commitment to the
community, was charged with manufacture and distribution of a
controlled substance and three counts of endangering the welfare of
a minor when Linn County deputies found 31 marijuana plants in the
couple's ceramic studio and 12 pounds of dried marijuana in their
home. The child endangerment charges stem from the employment of
several teenagers at the business. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The couple were released from the Linn County Jail after posting
$9,950. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(16) ONTARIO LAW WOULD CUT GROW-OP POWER | ||||||||||||||||||||
Local utilities will have the power to shut off the electricity to
homes suspected of growing marijuana under a proposed new law,
Community Safety Minister Monte Kwinter said yesterday. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"They will have the ability to cut off the power without notice ...
they cannot do that now," Kwinter told reporters. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The tough new measure will be included in legislation this fall aimed at ridding Ontario of the marijuana growing operations. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Kwinter backed away from earlier comments that the proposed law would give hydro, building and other inspectors special powers to enter a home they suspected was being used to grow marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(17) Dutch Government Faces Marijuana Glut | ||||||||||||||||||||
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - There's a whiff of crisis in the air at the
Dutch Health Ministry: It's sitting on a pile of pot that it just
can't sell. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Netherlands rolled out a program last year that allows patients
to buy prescription marijuana at any pharmacy. Some medical
insurance policies cover at least part of the cost, but often not
enough to offset the pharmacy price. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In a country where any adult can walk into a "coffee shop" and smoke
a joint for much less than the government price, many say the
experiment is a bust. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I think it's a shame that they can't deliver a cannabis product a
little bit cheaper than the coffee shops," said David Watson, head
of Hortapharm, an Amsterdam-based company licensed to research and
develop cannabis for pharmaceutical use. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Why is it that a legal commodity is more expensive than an illegal
commodity?" | ||||||||||||||||||||
The government says packaging and distribution push up its prices,
and acknowledges its program may be foundering. Of some 450 pounds
in anticipated sales, only about 175 pounds have been sold, said Bas
Kuik, spokesman for the Office of Medicinal Cannabis, an arm of the
Dutch Ministry of Health. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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International News | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (18-21) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
In Bali, Indonesia, a 28 year old Australian student faces the death
penalty, after she was accused of smuggling over 4 kilos of
"high-grade" cannabis into the stringent Muslim republic last week.
Indonesian police say it is the largest seizure of cannabis
trafficked into Bali, and "the first such case involving an
Australian." Indonesia has harsh drug laws, and just last month
executed several foreigners accused of drug offenses. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra marches on in his quest for
chemical purity. But an editorial from the Bangkok Post newspaper
this week notes that Shinawatra's most recent final solution --
resulting in the death squad summary execution of over 2,000 drug
suspects -- didn't solve anything. "[T]he fact he now needs to open
a second drive speaks for itself." The editorial, bold in a land
where life is cheap and freedom of the press is tenuous, suggests
the Thai PM (an ex-police officer) change course. "So, instead of
sanctioning the use of 'brutal measures' to send drug dealers to
meet the guardian of Hell, perhaps Prime Minister Thaksin should
review his tactics with an eye to possible flaws." Don't expect this
to happen anytime soon. | ||||||||||||||||||||
A tragic incident reported in the Caribbean island nation of
Trinidad serves as a reminder that drug prohibition is deadly. When
they are permitted to drink, people rarely overdose on alcohol
solely in an effort to hide the alcohol from authorities. But for
prohibited drugs, their very prohibition creates an incentive to
conceal the drugs by swallowing them. When prohibited drugs are
hidden by swallowing, tragic overdoses sometimes result. Just such
an overdose happened last week after a Trinidad man swallowed some
25 grams of cocaine when he feared police were about to arrest him.
He died several hours later from a massive overdose. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Finally this week, a ray of sunshine and sanity from the UK where
two sitting MPs and a cadre of influential leaders outside of
parliament have published a report containing a "detailed road map"
moving away from drug prohibition. The report, from the drug policy
think-tank called Transform, says that by 2020, currently prohibited
drugs will be sold by licensed retailers. There "is now a
groundswell of interest in looking beyond the drug war, to consider
alternative policy options that will be more effective," noted Danny
Kushlick, Transform's director. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(18) 'HELP ME' PLEADS STUDENT AT RISK OF DEATH SENTENCE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
DENPASAR - A Gold Coast student who could face the death penalty for
allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs into Indonesia from Australia,
has pleaded for help, Australian media reported. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Customs officers at Bali Airport allegedly found a package of 4.2kg
of high-grade cannabis in her bodyboard bag. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Police said it was the largest quantity of cannabis taken into Bali,
and the first such case involving an Australian. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Drugs squad director Bambang Sugiarto said the beauty therapy
student screamed and cried as she pleaded her innocence during
interrogation by police in Denpasar. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In contrast to Sugiarto's comments, news reports showed Corby smiling and waving at cameras and saying hello to her parents. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Police showed journalists Corby's labelled bodyboard bag. Inside
were a bodyboard and the plastic bag of cannabis. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sugiarto said the cannabis was of much higher quality than
Indonesian cannabis. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Corby could face the death penalty if charged with drug trafficking, or 20 years in prison if charged with possessing an illegal drug. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(19) KEEP THE KILLING TO A MINIMUM (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
As many as 2,500 people were killed in the first campaign of the
government's war on drugs, and the country could well see more
bloodshed now that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has declared a
second offensive. The government's determination to rid Thai society
of the evil of drugs deserves the support of us all. But the high
fatality rate in the first six-month war on drugs last year has
seriously marred what should be one of this government's major
achievements in office. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Reports of the widespread abuse of authority by law enforcement
officers sent out to hunt drug gangs were heard everywhere during
the first campaign. Many suspects were allegedly dispatched through
extra-judicial killings by officers of the state claiming to be
acting in self-defence. Others were said to have been killed at the
order of druglords to cover their tracks. None of these claims have
been substantiated by investigation. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mr Thaksin's promise this week to use "brutal measures" in this
second campaign in sending drug dealers to meet the guardian of Hell
obviously raises new fears of abuses. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
But the fact he now needs to open a second drive speaks for itself.
The first campaign failed to deter those seduced by the big money
which characterises the drug business. They were not put off by the
prospect of a violent death that the campaign offered. | ||||||||||||||||||||
So, instead of sanctioning the use of "brutal measures" to send drug dealers to meet the guardian of Hell, perhaps Prime Minister Thaksin should review his tactics with an eye to possible flaws. The many complaints about the arbitrary use of state power in dealing with drug suspects obviously points to one area needing correction. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mr Thaksin has a track record of doing things his own way, the
critics be damned. He has shown on many occasions that he has no
time for those who do not accept his will. We can only hope this
attitude does not shade his actions to the point where he allows a
repeat of the mistakes that so blighted his first campaign against
drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(20) DEATH BY MISTAKE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fear Of Police Leads To Cocaine Overdose | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Nkosi Arbuckle, of Lower Hillside, San Fernando, died five hours
later at the San Fernando General Hospital after swallowing a
quantity of cocaine. | ||||||||||||||||||||
His brother, Jason Arbuckle, 21, recalled the last moments he spent
with his brother: "He came home around 12.30am and I find he was
moving strange so I began following him. After a while he told me
what happened and I told him to go to the hospital, but he did not
want to go." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
As he made his way to the waiting car, Arbuckle noticed a parked car
with men looking like police officers. "He said he had the drug in
his hand and when he saw the plain clothes police he just put it
down his throat," Jason said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(21) MPS BACK LEGALISATION 'ROAD MAP' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
MPs, peers and former police officers are to back the publication
today of the first ever report outlining a "detailed road map" to
the legalisation of drugs in Britain. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The report from the drugs policy think-tank Transform, argues that
by 2020 most drug users will no longer buy from unregulated dealers
but obtain drugs from specialist pharmacists or licensed retailers,
with prescription drugs available for those who can prove clinical
need. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The report is backed by Labour MPs Paul Flynn and Oona King; the
Labour peer and penal reformer Baroness Stern; the former Times
editor Simon Jenkins and former police officers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Transform's director, Danny Kushlick, predicted that drugs would be
legalised in the not-too-distant future because prohibition had been
a catastrophe of startling proportions: "Crime has doubled and the
government estimates crime costs at AUKP16bn a year. The drugs
discourse at the party conferences was stuck in the tough-talking
rhetoric. However, there is now a groundswell of interest in looking
beyond the drug war, to consider alternative policy options that
will be more effective." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
AFTER THE WAR ON DRUGS | ||||||||||||||||||||
A new report from Transform | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
WHEN LAWS GO BAD, OR DOING THE RIGHT THING | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Pete Guither at Drug WarRant - http://www.drugwarrant.com | ||||||||||||||||||||
http://blogs.salon.com/0002762/stories/2004/10/09/whenLawsGoBadOrDoingTheRig.html | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
CULTURAL BAGGAGE RADIO SHOW | ||||||||||||||||||||
10/12/04: Preston Peet, author of Under the Influence | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
AMERICANS FOR SAFE ACCESS OCTOBER 5TH DIRECT ACTION IN DC | ||||||||||||||||||||
A number of brave and willing patients get arrested at a Americans
for Safe Access protest in front of the Washington DC Health and
Human Services building on the October 5th in an attempt to get the
Government to live up to a scientific credibility law in regards to
medical marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON'T - THE AMAZING VANISHING DEA PAIN FAQ | ||||||||||||||||||||
Last week, DRCNet reported briefly on the DEA's Diversion Control
Program's sudden decision to remove a list of questions and answers
about proper pain management care from its web site | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
ON THE AIR IN NM | ||||||||||||||||||||
Because Congresswoman Heather Wilson (R-NM) has failed to stand up
for medical marijuana patients, the Drug Policy Alliance Network is
hitting the airwaves to do so. | ||||||||||||||||||||
A pair of ads, one English and one Spanish are set to air this week
in New Mexico's first congressional district, criticizing
Congresswoman Wilson for her vote against seriously ill Americans
and their caregivers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
RECOVERY IN RUSSIA - INSIDE A DETOX GULAG | ||||||||||||||||||||
by Cletus Nelson | ||||||||||||||||||||
posted at DrugWar.com, Oct. 9, 2004, originally published at Points
of Departure | ||||||||||||||||||||
Victoria Malakhova could care less whether you "work your steps," find your inner-child, or connect with some unnamed "higher power." Instead, the iron-fisted director of the most brutal drug treatment center in Russia is interested in only one thing: results. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| ||||||||||||||||||||
WHY PROHIBITION? | ||||||||||||||||||||
Independant filmaker Jeff Stewart documents the roots of prohibition
and reefer madness, his own history, and explores the state of
Vansterdam's pot reality as an alternative. Interviews with Marc
Emery, Marijuana Man, Kirk Toussaw, Reannin, and Chris Bennett and
footage from the Saskatchewan Rally, the BCMP, and the Beyond
Prohibition Conference. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
LETTER WRITER OF THE MONTH - SEPTEMBER (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
DrugSense recognizes Gary Storck of Madison, Wisconsin for his five letters published during September, bringing his career total that we know of to 169. A long-time medical cannabis activist, Gary is Director of Communications for Is My Medicine Legal Yet? http://www.immly.org/, web and listmaster for the Drug Policy Forum of Wisconsin http://www.drugsense.org/dpfwi/, and webmaster for the Multiple Sclerosis Patients Union http://www.drugsense.org/mspu/ | ||||||||||||||||||||
You can read all of Gary's excellent published letters by clicking
this link: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
LETTER OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
PAIN RELIEF WITH GIGGLES | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Russell Barth | ||||||||||||||||||||
Now that the widely used arthritis medication Vioxx has been shown
to be dangerous, lineups at Compassion Clubs all over the world are
likely to increase as people learn more about the effective,
non-addictive, non-toxic medical marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Suffering from arthritis and fibromyalgia myself, I have used many different medications that often have side effects, but marijuana doesn't cause stroke and heart attack, and the reports of its supposed dangers are exaggerated by the same pharmaceutical companies that told us that drugs like Vioxx were perfectly safe. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Personally, I find the side effects of marijuana - mild euphoria,
the giggles, increased open-mindedness and independent thinking, a
tendency to question authority and the media, increased appetite and
music over-appreciation - pretty easy to deal with. Beats suffering
with the pain, or having a heart attack. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Russell Barth | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Same Arguments Used In Alaska Ignored In Chicago | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Stephen Young | ||||||||||||||||||||
The prohibitionists are waking up in Alaska. Thursday's Anchorage Daily News carried a story about an initiative to essentially legalize marijuana in the state, and how federal anti-drug officials are joining with Alaska's governor and law enforcement to fight the plan - see http://www.adn.com/front/story/5668643p-5600700c.html | ||||||||||||||||||||
Predictably, the pro-police-state crowd bring out all the tired
arguments. One argument seems new, but it's as weird and
unconvincing as the others. Here's an excerpt from the Daily News
story: | ||||||||||||||||||||
The governor also said the military plays a great role in Alaska and
legalized pot could harm that relationship. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"These are serious considerations for the state of Alaska," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expanding on that theme, a Murkowski spokesman, Mike Chambers, later
said the governor was drawing on his experience serving as a U.S.
senator during base closure proceedings. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Chambers said legalization could be an "aggravating factor" in such
proceedings. "This could be something that influences someone's
decision," he said. "It's going to have a negative effect on our
relationship with the military." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Chambers said Alaska is also a major training center for the military. "The fear is that something like this would have a chilling effect on the training dollars and where they spend them." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Close military bases because of local marijuana policy, without
considering broader security issues? If true, it seems like more
evidence that the war on marijuana does a lot more to undermine
national security than marijuana itself ever could. | ||||||||||||||||||||
What's really interesting, however, is the reaction in Alaska
compared with the reaction to a marijuana decriminalization plan in
Chicago. Granted, the Alaska plan is more far-reaching and radical.
But, the arguments being used against marijuana legalization plans
in Alaska could be used against marijuana decrim plans in Chicago.
Indeed such arguments have been used in Chicago (see | ||||||||||||||||||||
The prohibitionist arguments would be just as ineffective and irrational for either plan. But because drug warrior's arguments hinge completely on the perceived badness of marijuana and the alleged need to use the coercive forces of government to curb that badness, the arguments could be applied equally to either plan. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Why do the arguments matter in Alaska, but not in Chicago? Or, will
they matter? I suspect Alaskan voters aren't going to be much more
impressed by the scary rhetoric than supporters of decriminalization
in Chicago's police department. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen Young is an editor with DrugSense Weekly, and the operator
of Decrimwatch - http://www.decrimwatch.com/ - where this piece
first appeared. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Our virtues are most often but our vices disguised." | ||||||||||||||||||||
-- Francois de la Rochefoucauld | ||||||||||||||||||||
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