| Jan. 21, 2005 #384 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Table of Contents
| ||||||||||||||||||||
THIS JUST IN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) RISING CANNABIS USE PROMPTS CALL FOR WAR ON DRUGS 'EPIDEMIC' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rising cannabis and cocaine use was yesterday attacked by a senior
Tory as an "epidemic" requiring a war on drugs, after The Herald's
report that the changed legal status of soft drugs had fuelled an
explosion in marijuana use. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But backers of cannabis legalisation argued that the growth in police
seizures of home-grown plants was down to smokers wanting to get away
from unreliable sources of the drug, as it is sold by dealers of class
A drugs such as heroin and cocaine. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The news of a growth in use and cultivation, since marijuana's status
as an illegal narcotic was downgraded in 2003, was followed yesterday
with evidence from a survey of Edinburgh University students showing
an alarming level of cocaine use. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Student newspaper found that nearly one-quarter of students asked
in its poll of 500 students had tried cocaine, while more than half
had smoked cannabis. Although most thought ecstasy to be dangerous,
more than a third had taken it. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The growing evidence of drug use was seized on by the Conservative
Party. Annabel Goldie, the justice spokeswoman, said: "These figures
are totally staggering and will shock many people, not least the
parents of students at Edinburgh University. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(2) PROPOSAL TARGETS LENIENT POT LAWS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
A Proposal Would Ban Public School Athletic Meets in Columbia. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Jefferson City -- Columbia will pay a price for easing restrictions on
marijuana prosecutions under a bill proposed by a St. Charles
legislator. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Republican State Sen. Chuck Gross proposed legislation Wednesday that
would prohibit public schools from holding athletic tournaments in
Columbia. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gross' proposal comes in response to two measures the city's voters
approved in November. One makes marijuana arrests the lowest priority
of city law enforcement, and the other allows marijuana to be used in
the city for medical reasons. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The legislation proposed by Gross would bar schools that receive state
money from participating in "sporting events or athletic tournaments"
in cities with marijuana laws similar to Columbia's. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The intent is not to prohibit Columbia schools from taking part in
sports but to block regional or state tournaments from being held in
the city, Gross said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I think it's a bad message to send off to kids -- 'Hey, come to Columbia, you can bring your pot with you,'" Gross said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(3) GW'S CANNABIS-BASED SPRAY A STEP CLOSER (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
GW Pharmaceuticals yesterday reported more positive clinical trial
data on its cannabis-based medicine Sativex and said it expected a UK
regulatory hearing on the drug this summer. | ||||||||||||||||||||
GW has already reported positive clinical trial data showing that
Sativex, an under-the-tongue spray, helps to control the symptoms of
multiple sclerosis and neuropathic pain. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Yesterday, the company produced fresh data on Sativex showing positive
results with patients suffering from severe cancer pain. The trials
were Phase III, the last stage before a drug is approved for
marketing, and showed that about 40 per cent of patients on Sativex
saw a 30 per cent improvement in their pain levels. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The company said the new data demonstrated the broad potential of the treatment, which has already received preliminary approval in Canada but is still caught up in the UK regulatory approval process. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(4) DEJA VU (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
To Fight Car Searches, A Florida City Declared Itself a Foreign Nation | ||||||||||||||||||||
You think you've been stuck in some long airport security lines? | ||||||||||||||||||||
Consider the tourists whose cars were backed up 19 miles in April 1982 before they reached a security checkpoint in the Florida Keys. Once they got there, gun-toting law-enforcement officials examined their drivers' licenses and meticulously searched their vehicles, including trunks, glove compartments and even ice chests. Most of the travelers were simply trying to leave the Keys on a sunny Sunday evening. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Today, we take for granted that federal employees will routinely
scrutinize our identities and search our baggage without probable
cause. But 23 years ago, the decision of the Task Force on South
Florida Crime to stop every car heading north on U.S. 1, the only road
in and out of the Florida Keys, infuriated the islands' residents and
merchants. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
The city, the mayor and local merchants hired a lawyer, David Horan, to
seek an injunction against the roadblock. Mr. Horan argued that it
violated the Fourth Amendment restriction against unreasonable search
and seizure. "Unless they see the hand of a Haitian sticking out of the
trunk or marijuana wafting out of the car, they don't have probable
cause," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Meanwhile, Key West residents came up with another idea. If they were
going to be treated like foreign citizens, forced to cross the
equivalent of a border to get to their own country, why not become a
foreign country? | ||||||||||||||||||||
On April 23, 1982, Key West, sometimes referred to as Bellevue with a
liquor license, declared that it was seceding from the nation and
renaming itself the "Conch Republic." (Conch -- pronounced konk -- is
a nickname for Key West natives.) "We serve notice on the government,"
the secession proclamation read, "to remove the roadblock or get ready
to put up a permanent barrier to a new foreign land. If we are not
equal, we'll get out. It's as simple as that." The new republic's
official motto: "We seceded where others failed." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (5-9) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Last year, some mainstream media reports indicated that young, upscale moms were getting hooked on methampehtamine. Now, the focus is on gay men. The Los Angeles Times carried a story last week about suspicions that meth use among gay men is leading to new HIV infections. The LA Times seems to blame the evil of the drug and reckless behavior, while only looking at prohibition-related issues (like the inability of injection drug users to obtain clean needles) in the periphery. A more balanced story from a gay publication in New York City focuses on solutions from harm reduction proponents, instead of just belaboring the problem and blaming the victims. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Also last week, an Oregon court said employers do have to make some
accommodation for medical marijuana users; a former drug czar said
drugs are worse than terror; and that kind of hysteria is apparently
allowing prison investors to cash in. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(5) GAYS' RISING METH USE TIED TO NEW HIV CASES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
For seven years methamphetamine helped Ron Conner believe he was the
talented, sexy, bold man he had always dreamed of being. The
37-year-old graphic artist would have sacrificed everything to hold
onto that glamorous vision of himself - and, ultimately, he nearly
did. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I lost my house, two cars, my checking and savings accounts, my
piano, my boyfriend," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I had sex with guys I knew were [HIV] positive, who said they were
positive, and I just didn't care," he added. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Although Conner, who is sober and working again, did not end up HIV-positive, such is not the case for many gay meth users. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Health officials and AIDS activists nationwide are alarmed at the
increasing correlation between new HIV diagnoses and methamphetamine
use among gay men. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Scientifically linking meth use to the spread of disease is
difficult because multiple factors come into play. But studies in
several cities show that a growing number of HIV-positive men report
recent meth use. | ||||||||||||||||||||
One recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study based on
San Francisco data showed that use of both meth and Viagra was
connected to a marked increase in unsafe sex. Others have shown that
gay men who use meth are up to three times as likely to test
positive for HIV as those who do not. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Our hypothesis is that it's due to riskier sexual practices while
using meth," said Dr. Sam Mitchell of the San Francisco Department
of Public Health. "We think it's probably causal." | ||||||||||||||||||||
For those men who inject the drug, shared needles can also increase
the risk of infection. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(6) SYRINGE EXCHANGE GROUP REACHES GAY MEN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Positive Health Project, though not typically gay-focused, finds
meth users coming forward | ||||||||||||||||||||
Late on a Monday afternoon, as the temperature was dropping, three
clients were smoking outside the offices of the Positive Health
Project (PHP) on West 37th Street. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Inside the building, staffers were meeting with clients, cleaning
the agency's drop-in center where it delivers its needle exchange
services, or busily working at computers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
It was just another day at the AIDS service organization and there
was little that indicated that PHP has joined the ranks of those
agencies battling AIDS among gay and bisexual men. | ||||||||||||||||||||
PHP and the Lower East Side Harm Reduction Center, which also offers needle exchange services, have seen growing numbers of gay and bisexual men who are using needles to inject meth sign on as clients to take advantage of their needle exchange services. Both agencies have responded aggressively to meet the needs of these men. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(7) COURT REFINES MARIJUANA LAW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
An Oregon appeals court ruling says employers might have to make
accommodations for users of medical marijuana | ||||||||||||||||||||
A state appeals court ruled Wednesday that Oregon employers might
have to make reasonable accommodations for disabled workers with
state permission to use marijuana to treat pain. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But the ruling, handed down Wednesday by the Oregon Court of
Appeals, left it up to employers and lower courts to decide just how
far employers must go to accommodate qualified medical-marijuana
users at work, employment attorneys say. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The decision focused on a case brought by Robert Washburn, who
alleges Columbia Forest Products Inc. violated the Oregonians with
Disabilities Law by refusing to accommodate his use of marijuana for
medical reasons. Portland-based Columbia Forest Products fired
Washburn, a millwright, in 2001 from its Klamath Falls mill after
urine tests detected marijuana residue in his system. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(8) FORMER U.S. DRUG CZAR SAYS DRUGS ARE BIGGER PROBLEM THAN (Top)TERRORISM | ||||||||||||||||||||
MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Retired U.S. Gen. Barry McCaffrey, drug czar
under former President Bill Clinton, said Wednesday the war against
drugs is a bigger problem than the war against terror. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Speaking at a news conference in Mexico City, McCaffrey said 52,000 people die from drugs each year compared to the 12,000 U.S. troops that have been killed or wounded in Iraq since the war started. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Better cooperation between Mexico and the United States has helped
win small battles in the fight against drugs, McCaffrey said, adding
that the countries now share evidence and have common laws for money
laundering, polygraph testing and wire tapping. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(9) PRISON COMPANIES' STOCKS SEE HEFTY GAINS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Surging Incarceration Rates Fuel Growth in Sector | ||||||||||||||||||||
Crime may not pay, but prisons sure do. | ||||||||||||||||||||
City, state and federal governments increasingly are turning to the
private sector to run their jails and prisons. And investors who
were perceptive enough to anticipate this growth have made a bundle
in recent months. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Don Hodges, portfolio manager of the Dallas-based Hodges Fund, has
been bullish on prison growth for quite some time. "There's just a
lot of lawlessness in America," he said with a chuckle. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Investing in such a sector brings unique challenges, not the least
of which is coming to grips with profiting from crime and
incarceration. Three companies control the bulk of the private
prison market, but Corrections Corporation of America, based in
Nashville, Tenn., is by far the largest and garners most of the
investor attention. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (10-14) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on prison sentencing, some hoped
that judges would feel free to lighten up on harsh sentences. A Utah
judge quickly indicated he's not going to do that. While that wasn't
a drug case,= there are plenty of drug cases clogging up the Texas
prison system - so many the state estimates it might have to build
five more prisons to accommodate all the convicts (see the story in
the Policy section above on private prison profits for some
context). | ||||||||||||||||||||
One person who won't be in prison is Tom Coleman, the undercover
agent who brought infamy to Tulia, Texas. Coleman was convicted of
perjury, but the jury recommended probation. Also last week, more
details on out of control drug wars inside UK prisons and story
about a lawsuit filed by a woman who was pepper-sprayed repeatedly
while merely standing within the proximity of a drug raid and trying
to record her interaction with officers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(10) JUDGE WON'T SCRAP FEDERAL STANDARDS ON SENTENCING (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
A day after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled judges are no longer
required to follow federal sentencing guidelines, a jurist in Salt
Lake City announced he will give "heavy weight" to the standards in
determining punishment. | ||||||||||||||||||||
At a hearing Thursday, U.S. District Judge Paul Cassell said he will
deviate from the range suggested in the guidelines only in unusual
cases. | ||||||||||||||||||||
He then sentenced James Joseph Wilson, who had pleaded guilty to a
2003 armed robbery of a credit union, to 15 1/2 years behind bars,
the low end of the range. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cassell said in a written opinion that the guidelines "are the only
way to create consistent sentencing as they are the only uniform
standard available to guide the hundreds of district judges around
the country." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(11) TEXAS COULD NEED 5 NEW PRISONS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Inmate Rise Blamed On Problems With Probation System | ||||||||||||||||||||
AUSTIN - Texas would have to build as many as five prisons over the
next six years if the state continues to incarcerate offenders at
the current rate, according to a new report by the state's budget
monitors. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Texas' prison system holds 150,575 inmates, more than any other state. If incarceration trends continue, the system would add nearly 3,700 prisoners over the next two years, and more than 14,000 by 2010, according to the report by the Legislative Budget Board. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The prison population is already beyond the state's preferred
capacity. A preliminary state budget, released last week, suggests
spending an additional $40 million for contracted space in county
jails and cutting funding for adult probation departments, whose
rolls are falling. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But the report by the Legislative Budget Board, made up of the
leaders who craft the state's budget, notes that many criminal
justice officials believe the prison population is rising precisely
because the probation system is not working. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The rate of felons having their probation revoked rose 18 percent between 2001 and 2004, according to the report, which will be released this week. A copy was shown to The Dallas Morning News. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(12) COLEMAN CONVICTED OF PERJURY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Jury Recommends Probation For Former Tulia Drug Agent | ||||||||||||||||||||
Perhaps, it was already decided that Tom Coleman would never work in law enforcement again because of his 1999 flawed undercover drug bust in Tulia, leading to his own aggravated perjury charges. | ||||||||||||||||||||
A jury completely annihilated the possibility of continuing any such
career late Friday when it handed down a guilty verdict and seven
years in prison for Coleman. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The sentence offered a brief, shining moment of happiness for former
Tulia defendants in the back of the courtroom, who peered on with
hopeful faces. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(13) DRUG WAR RAGES IN PRISON (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
FEUDING drug gangs have sparked a wave of violence inside Liverpool Prison, a damning government report revealed last night. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bullying and intimidation were rife and many parts of the building
were deemed unsafe by prison inspectors. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In a two-month spell, 73 assaults were recorded at the Walton
prison. The number of prisoners claiming they were at risk of attack
also doubled in ten months. | ||||||||||||||||||||
And drug taking was widespread, with more than 30% of mandatory
tests proving positive. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Last month, the Daily Post revealed more than #150,000-worth of
illegal substances thrown into the prison grounds had been seized.
Smugglers used crossbows to fire contraband over the perimeter
walls. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(14) WOMAN FILES SUIT AGAINST OFFICERS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Lawsuit Claims the Officers Pepper-Sprayed Her and Threw Her To
the Pavement After She Refused to Cooperate. | ||||||||||||||||||||
A Roanoke woman has sued two law enforcement officers affiliated
with the Drug Enforcement Administration, arguing that she was
pepper-sprayed and arrested in violation of her constitutional
rights. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
The incident occurred Sept. 20, when Cooper, her sister, Tameka
Hall, and daughter, Alisha Cooper, drove to 1545 Abbott St. N.W. to
pick up Cooper's nephew, according to the lawsuit. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Federal agents got a warrant to search the residence because they
suspected a man who had listed the residence as his home, Andrew
Blake Jr., was dealing crack cocaine, according to an affidavit
filed in federal court. If federal charges have been filed against
him, they have not been made public. It is unclear whether he is any
relation to Cooper. | ||||||||||||||||||||
When Cooper arrived, she noticed several Roanoke policemen near the
house, according to the lawsuit. An officer told her that she
couldn't go into the house because it was "under investigation,"
according to the lawsuit. The officer asked Cooper and her sister
for identification, which they turned over, according to the
lawsuit. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The officer then asked Cooper for a key to the house, according to
the lawsuit. Cooper told the officer she would not turn over the key
unless she saw a search warrant, according to the lawsuit. The
officer then radioed someone else that two parties were being
uncooperative, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit does not
specify who was radioed. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Afraid that she might get "set up," Cooper decided to tape-record
any further conversations, and told the officer she intended to do
so, according to the lawsuit. He agreed with her decision, according
to the lawsuit. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bonaventura showed Cooper a search warrant, and she gave him the
keys, according to the lawsuit. He also told her that he "needed"
the tape and told her she had two choices: "Give up the tape or take
a ride downtown," according to the lawsuit. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cooper refused to turn it over. She took the tape out of the
recorder, put the tape into her mouth and put her hands behind her
back to be handcuffed, according to the lawsuit. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bonaventura put Cooper in a chokehold and threw her onto the ground,
according to the complaint. He also placed his hand over her nose so
she couldn't breathe, according to the lawsuit. Either Bonaventura
or Garrett sprayed Cooper with pepper spray until she spit out the
tape, according to the lawsuit. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (15-19) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
We begin this week with an article exposing concerns that the
Australian government has abandoned Schapelle Corby, a young lady
accused of smuggling cannabis into Indonesia who insists that the
drugs were planted on her. The Australian foreign office has stated
that they have offered to help with the case, but have so far been
turned down by Indonesian authorities. If found guilty, Corby could
face the death penalty. Our second story follows the continuing saga
of Diana Short, a Lincoln, Illinois police officer charged with
multiple counts of cultivation and distribution of cannabis. Short
and her husband are facing 8 counts in relation to this bust, the
most serious of which could result in 7 years in prison and fines of
up to $100,000. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Our third article announces a new U.K. study on the social factors associated with cannabis use in young people being conducted by the University of Luton's Vauxhall Center for the Study of Crime. The research project, which will be the largest of it's kind, is to be funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Our fourth article also comes from the U.K., but is included here as an example of the incredible misinformation currently supporting the prohibition of cannabis around the world. The article cites concerns by the U.K. Royal College of General Practitioners in regards to the reported increase in the potency of street cannabis, claiming that it is the result of GMO pot. As one of the first plants to be cultivated by the human race, cannabis/hemp farmers have had thousands of years to breed plants to meet their specific needs, be they for food, fibre, medicine, or intoxication. This is known as selective breeding, and is a far cry from genetic manipulation. Sadly, until the medical community gains an understanding of even this most basic information, we will be cursed with drug policies based on fear and misinformation, rather than science and compassion. And lastly, a well-researched article by syndicated sex columnist Josey Vogels on cannabis use and sexuality. With no offense to Miss Vogel, it is frustrating to see that a majority of the medical community still appears to have a weaker grasp on cannabis research than a sex expert. What a shame that on top of helping alleviate the symptoms of AIDS, Cancer and MS, cannabis use doesn't also cure erectile dysfunction =96 then we'd be sure to have the medical and research community's rapt attention on its therapeutic potential. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(15) GOVT, AFP DENY IGNORING BALI DRUG ACCUSED (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Federal Government has rejected suggestions that Australian
authorities have done little to help a Queensland woman facing drug
charges in Bali. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Schapelle Corby was detained in Denpasar in October after she was
allegedly found with more than four kilograms of marijuana. She says
the drugs were planted. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ms Corby's family have criticised the Government and Australian Federal Police for failing to test the drugs and trace their origin. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(16) FORMER LINCOLN COP FACES EIGHT CHARGES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The list of criminal charges against former Lincoln police officer
Diana Short and her husband grew Friday as a Logan County grand jury
returned several indictments against the pair. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
The indictments represent two Class 2 felonies, three Class 3 felonies, one Class 4 felony and two Class A misdemeanors. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(17) JOINT STUDIES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
New research will focus on the links between social exclusion, crime
and cannabis use. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cannabis use among young people is now so widespread that many would
consider a period of teenage experimentation as normal and not a
cause of undue worry. But are they right? "It's clear that some sort
of substance use - be it cigarettes, alcohol or drugs like cannabis
- is widespread among teenagers," says John Pitts, Vauxhall
professor of socio-legal studies at the University of Luton's
Vauxhall centre for the study of crime. "It's also clear that
although some of their behaviour might be a bit risky at times, the
vast majority get through it fine and settle into normal patterns of
adult legal and illegal drug use that we're all familiar with. But
for other youngsters, their level of drug use is normalised around a
much higher level - to the extent that it might compromise their
life choices." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Why and how this happens is the subject of new research being
conducted by the Vauxhall centre into the effect of cannabis use on
young people. "Our broad objective is to look at the impact of
cannabis use on decision making at key moments in young lives," says
Pitts. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(18) DESIGNER CANNABIS 'HARMING YOUNG' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The increased availability of high-strength cannabis is harming the
physical and mental health of young people, the Royal College of
General Practitioners said yesterday. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dr Clare Gerada, head of the college's drugs misuse unit, said that
relaxed attitudes towards the drug and the greater availability of
stronger forms were leading to rising rates of depression and
psychosis among vulnerable young people. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Speaking on the eve of a conference being held by the college in
London today, Dr Gerada said stronger, genetically modified forms of
the drug were widely available. She said: "While we are finally
winning the battle against smoking and alcohol we are in danger of
ignoring cannabis. Genetically modified forms of the drug are now
the norm rather than the exception. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(19) SEX POT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
My first real boyfriend back in high school was a narcotics
salesperson (sounds so much better than dope dealer, don't you
think?). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Besides the steady drug supply, the one thing I loved about that relationship was the sex. He was older and had been with a few women older than himself who had taught him a thing or two. As a newbie, I was happy to benefit from his experience. When things started falling apart, I was reluctant to give up the sex, but because I was falling out of love, it became harder to get in the mood. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pot helped. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In fact, it got to the point where smoking a joint was the only thing that got me in the mood. I loved sex while stoned -- it felt all floaty and connected and transcended me to the happy place. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
International News | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (20-25) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Philippines prohibitionists kill more suspected drug users this week,
as the U.S. trains drug police in Davao. Since both the Davao City
Mayor and the Philippine President have given the green light to
death squads (believed to be police), bodies continue to pile up.
Unable to find real drug "kingpins," apparently any suspected ex-drug
user will do. Among other "salvaged" (executed) drug suspects this
week, a father of two fresh back from drug rehab was gunned down by
vigilantes as he walked to work. The U.S. is doing its part; this
week the U.S. is giving more counter-narcotics training to Philippine
police in Davao City, of all places. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte
recently boasted of his support for local death squads. While
officials paid obligatory lip service to "the evils of the illegal
drug menace to all countries," no mention was made of the extra-legal
death squads in Davao. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Thai government, a year after bloody police pogroms killed over
2,000 drug suspects, announced this week it would put Internet
cameras on condemned death row prisoners to "deter drug dealing."
Beamed Corrections Department chief Nathee Chitsawang: "The Internet
will show how we treat the convicts in their last minutes, including
the preparation process." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Police in Malaysia have decided they will use a new law to let them
jail "repeat addicts" decreed Dato Mangsor Ismail, the Police
Commissioner of Sabah, this week. Police in Malaysia are the teeth
of a regime that has brutally punished drug use, but to little
effect. Malaysian drug arrests have soared in the past year, while
drug seizures continue at record high levels. | ||||||||||||||||||||
And finally this week, two articles on opiates. In Vancouver, a
government-sponsored heroin study will supply almost 500 heroin
addicts with free heroin (or their fill of methadone) for a year, to
see if crime and homelessness are reduced. And in Afghanistan, while
poppy planting is a national pastime, farmers brace for a U.S.
aerial spraying assault, while asking, "Why does America allow
people to sell alcohol but not heroin? What is the difference?"
That's a good question, Nazir. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(20) REHAB GRADUATE IS 26TH VICTIM (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
A TAXICAB driver, who was just recently released from a drug
rehabilitation center, was killed by suspected vigilantes in Juna
Subdivision, Matina, Davao City, Tuesday morning. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Joel Castro, 38, taxi driver, father of two and resident of Durian Street, Juna Subdivision, was killed by an unknown gunman. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
It was learned that Castro was just released from a drug
rehabilitation center in Tagum City. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(21) RP, U.S. HOLD JOINT ANTI-ILLEGAL DRUGS TRAINING (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
A counter-narcotics bilateral training between Philippine anti-drug
agencies and the United States, aimed at enhancing both countries'
fight against the menace of illegal drugs, was opened Tuesday in
Davao City. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dubbed as Baker-Piston 05-1, the joint training exercise initially opened with eight instructors from the U.S. Special Forces and 63 personnel from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
The training will last until Feb. 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Acknowledging the evils of the illegal drug menace to all countries,
Pascual said the bilateral training was also aimed at enhancing
cooperation between the country's anti-drug agencies and their
American counterparts. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(22) THAILAND TO SHOW EXECUTIONS ON INTERNET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
'Jail-Cam' Broadcasts Intended to Deter Drug Dealing | ||||||||||||||||||||
BANGKOK - Thailand said Monday it will make live Internet broadcasts
of life behind prison walls, including convicts' last moments before
execution, in a bid to deter lawbreakers, especially a burgeoning
number of drug dealers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Though no date has been fixed to begin the web broadcasts, cameras
have been installed at Bangkwang maximum-security prison on the
outskirts of Bangkok, which houses more than 6,000 inmates. Nearly
1,000 are sentenced to death, and 65 are awaiting execution with no
appeals pending. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"From now on people can see life in prison through the Internet,"
said Corrections Department chief Nathee Chitsawang. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The broadcasts will show the inmates' daily lives, as well as images
of condemned men as they are taken from their cells to be executed,
he said. "The Internet will show how we treat the convicts in their
last minutes, including the preparation process, but at the time of
execution, the viewer will be allowed to see only part of the
process." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thailand executes drug traffickers. The purpose of the broadcasts
was to make viewers, especially those tempted to deal in drugs,
aware of the future they could face, he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(23) ADDICTS GO STRAIGHT TO JAIL (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Kota Kinabalu: Police will invoke a new legal provision to charge
repeat addicts in court in future instead of sending them to
rehabilitation centres, Sabah Police Commissioner, Dato Mangsor
Ismail said Wednesday. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Previously, we arrest and send them to rehabilitation centres, but
now with the availability of Section 3, we can arrest and take them
to court. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"The court can impose appropriate punishment and they need not be
sent to rehabilitation centres," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
This means those addicts who do not enter the centres will be
loitering in the streets. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Earlier, in his speech, Mangsor revealed that Syabu still accounted
for the most drugs seized last year, weighing a total of 4,019gm
(6,514gm in 2003) followed by ganja with a total weight of 2,057gm
(457gm in 2003). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Last year, 1,440 people were arrested for possession of drugs
compared to 1,153 in 2003. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(24) STUDY WILL GIVE FREE HEROIN TO SOME B.C. ADDICTS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
VANCOUVER - Up to 470 Vancouver heroin addicts will take part in a
North American first - a study that will give free heroin to
junkies. | ||||||||||||||||||||
As part of the North American Opiate Medication Initiative - or
NAOMI project - carefully chosen addicts will be given free heroin
or an unrestricted amount of methadone for 12 months. After that
period, the doses will taper off. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The goal is to see if prescribed heroin is better than methadone for
addicts who have failed standard therapies, and to find out if
giving the drug for free will reduce homelessness and crimes linked
to supporting drug use. | ||||||||||||||||||||
It already has the approval of the federal government, Vancouver
police and city politicians. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The project will look much like one held in Switzerland in the
1990s. During that program, fewer then 10 per cent of addicts quit
taking heroin, but the crime rate among addicts dropped and the job
rate went up. Advocates for the drug-addicted in Vancouver say a
similar result will likely occur in the B.C. trial. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(25) AFGHAN POPPIES BLOOM (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The War-Ravaged, Opium-Dependent Country Lives In Fear Of A New Drug | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
"My dear, everyone grows poppy. Even me," says Mr. Attock in
slightly awkward English as he leans over to grab my leg, again. Mr.
Attock is a bundle of physical and intellectual energy, not all of
it well focused. "My dear, you see. Listen. My dear, wheat is
worthless. Everyone grows poppy. We will go to my village and you
will see." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
But after three years of ignoring poppy cultivation and heroin
production, the United States has suddenly changed course. In
mid-November Washington pledged $780 million toward Afghanistan's
war on drugs. If a rigorous campaign against poppy actually
materializes, it could radically destabilize the relative calm that
now obtains in much of Afghanistan. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Already there is trouble brewing in Nangarhar, where next year's
crop is just starting to sprout. Farmers report low-flying planes
spraying poison on their fields. Doctors in the area say they've
seen a sudden jump in respiratory illness and skin rashes, while
veterinarians are seeing sickened livestock. In a harbinger of what
a real war on drugs might bring, one farmer in Nangarhar whose son
had been poisoned by the spraying told a local journalist, "If my
son dies, I will join the Taliban, and I will kill as many Americans
as I can find." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Back in Wardak the impending war on poppy is viewed by the Muslim
farmers as hypocritical and cruel. Just before we take leave of
Nazir and his cousins, he asks me: "Why does America allow people to
sell alcohol but not heroin? What is the difference? At least in
Islam both are haram." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
PROSECUTING MOM AND DAD | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Marsha Rosenbaum, AlterNet. Posted January 19, 2005. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In communities across the country, 'social host' laws passed in an
effort to stop teenage drinking are making criminals out of otherwise
responsible, law-abiding parents. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
GW PHARMACEUTICALS RELEASES RESULTS FOR 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||
View the webcast of the analyst presentation | ||||||||||||||||||||
http://production.investis.com/gwp/pressreleases/currentpress/2005-01-19a/ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
CAFFIENE - THE WORLD'S MOST POPULAR PSYCHOACTIVE DRUG | ||||||||||||||||||||
by T.R. Reid, National Geographic | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
CULTURAL BAGGAGE RADIO SHOW | ||||||||||||||||||||
Last - 01/18/05 Steve Bloom, Editor of High Times Magazine | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Next - 1/25/05 Nora Callahan, Drector of the November Coalition,
publisher of Razorwire. http://november.org/ | ||||||||||||||||||||
Listen Live Tuesdays 7:30 PM, EDT, 6:30 CDT 5:30 MDT & 4:30 PDT
at http://www.KPFT.org/ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
420 DRUG WAR NEWS | ||||||||||||||||||||
Host Dean Becker interviews guest Kevin Zeese of Common Sense for
Drug Policy | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
UNDERSTANDING US SENTENCING LAWS - A LAYPERSON SPEAKS | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Nora Callahan, | ||||||||||||||||||||
A lot of people are very confused about the recent Supreme Court
decision in US v Booker. As a "leader" of a group that advocates for
Sixth Amendment rights (trial by jury) and an independent judiciary,
in lieu of the "Modern Sentencing Reform System" that is under fire
today, I feel obligated to lend a lay-voice to understanding these new
developments. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
STUDY WILL GIVE FREE HEROIN TO SOME B.C. ADDICTS | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Up to 470 Vancouver heroin addicts will take part in a North American first ? a study that will give free heroin to junkies." | ||||||||||||||||||||
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/01/18/freeheroin-0501018.html | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
LETTER OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
SETTING THE STORY STRAIGHT ON MARIJUANA | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Eric E. Sterling | ||||||||||||||||||||
If Peter Carlson's caricature of Keith Stroup was the story, why
dedicate a page to the man's retirement ["Exhale, Stage Left,"
Style, Jan. 4.]? | ||||||||||||||||||||
The story did not give Mr. Stroup and the National Organization for
the Reform of Marijuana Laws ( NORML ) credit for bringing about
major change in the nation's drug laws. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Stroup and NORML won precedent-setting litigation that required a U.S. environmental impact statement for U.S.-funded herbicide spraying of Mexican marijuana. Mr. Stroup and NORML filed a petition in 1972, leading to the Drug Enforcement Administration's chief administrative law judge finding in 1988 that marijuana was safe and had an accepted use in medicine. That litigation laid the groundwork for the laws we have in 10 states that permit medical use of marijuana. In a few months, this issue may result in the most important Supreme Court ruling in 60 years on Congress's power under the Constitution's commerce clause ( Ashcroft v. Raich ). | ||||||||||||||||||||
No contemporary book on drug policy fails to credit the central role Mr. Stroup and NORML played in helping to achieve marijuana decriminalization in the 1970s. Mr. Carlson's attempt to capture Mr. Stroup's legacy went awry when he succumbed to the temptation to write of Mr. Stroup's accomplishments in pot-related cliches. | ||||||||||||||||||||
ERIC E. STERLING | ||||||||||||||||||||
President | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bring Freedom Home First | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Stephen Young | ||||||||||||||||||||
The U.S. is ready to save the world from oppression, if President
George W. Bush's inaugural address can be believed. | ||||||||||||||||||||
While I'm happy to be an American and I wouldn't really want to live
anywhere else, I believe we need to look at domestic oppression
before saving everyone else. | ||||||||||||||||||||
I didn't hear anything about drugs in the speech, but I heard a lot
about freedom for those who don't have it. Illegal drug users have
little freedom now in this country. | ||||||||||||||||||||
As I reread the text of the speech three paragraphs struck me, particularly as they might apply to victims of the drug war here. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"We will persistently clarify the choice before every ruler and every nation: The moral choice between oppression, which is always wrong, and freedom, which is eternally right," Bush said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Oppression and freedom are at the heart of the drug war, and the
choice has already been clarified for those who are willing to see.
With hundreds of thousands of people behind because drug laws, it's
time to ask: Does oppression become moral when the oppressor thinks
it's for the good of the oppressed? | ||||||||||||||||||||
"America will not pretend that jailed dissidents prefer their
chains, or that women welcome humiliation and servitude, or that any
human being aspires to live at the mercy of bullies." | ||||||||||||||||||||
But we continue to pretend that jailing chemical dissidents, those
who take drugs not approved by the U.S. government, somehow is
preferable for them.= Women caught with the wrong drugs, or even
those simply caught in the wrong place at the wrong time with the
wrong person, spend years behind bard here. Sadly we do live at the
mercy of drug war bullies, who insist on checking the chemical
purity of ourselves and our children through drug tests; who arrest
the sick and dying for trying to relieve their pain; who see
themselves as above laws which restrict federal bureaucrats from
getting involved in local political issues. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"We will encourage reform in other governments by making clear that success in our relations will require the decent treatment of their own people. America's belief in human dignity will guide our policies, yet rights must be more than the grudging concessions of dictators; they are secured by free dissent and the participation of the governed. In the long run, there is no justice without freedom, and there can be no human rights without human liberty." | ||||||||||||||||||||
That last sentence is inspiring, in theory. Unfortunately, in
reality, freedom, justice and human liberty are under assault by the
drug war. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Let's get it right here before insisting that everyone follow our
lead. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen Young is an editor with DrugSense Weekly, author of
Maximizing Harm, and operator of decrimwatch.com | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
"The ultimate test of what a truth means is the conduct is dictates or
inspires." -- William James | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
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 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
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. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is
distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior
interest in receiving the included information for research and
educational purposes. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
MAKE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO DRUGSENSE ON-LINE | ||||||||||||||||||||
-OR- | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mail in your contribution. Make checks payable to MAP Inc. send your
contribution to: | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Media Awareness Project (MAP) Inc. |
 | current issue | this issue |