| August 26, 2005 #414 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Table of Contents
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THIS JUST IN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) THE RIGHT TO GROW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
A Second Chance For Medical Marijuana | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dr. Lyle Craker, a professor of plant and soil sciences at UMass
Amherst, has been trying since 2001 to get a license from the Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA) to grow research-grade marijuana for
use in Food and Drug Administration-approved studies of the plant's
potential to become a legally prescribed medicine. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Last December, after more than three years of stonewalling, the DEA
officially rejected his application, holding that his study "would
not be consistent with the public interest." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Now Craker, along with the Belmont-based Multidisciplinary Association
for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and the ACLU's Drug Law Reform Project,
is challenging that ruling. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Hearings began in Washington this week before DEA administrative-law
judge Mary Ellen Bittner. Supporters hope the proceedings will end the
DEA's obstruction and remove the federal government's monopoly on
research marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(2) COLOMBIA LAWMAKERS 'USE COCAINE' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Some of Colombia's elected politicians have used cocaine within
Congress itself, the vice-president of the country's Senate has
alleged. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The drug is also being sold there, Senator Edgar Artunduaga said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I know names of people who distribute cocaine here in Congress,"
he said, revealing the results of an investigation ordered by his
office. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"There are important officials who distribute, and senators and
representatives who consume," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Personal possession of small amounts of cocaine and other drugs is not illegal in Colombia, the world's biggest cocaine producer. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mr Artunduaga refused to name those involved. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"But I will denounce the dealers to authorities," said Mr Artunduaga, describing some of them as "middle-ranking officials". | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Biscuit sellers, shoe sellers, astrologers and marijuana and
cocaine dealers all enter Congress," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(3) JUSTICE WEIGHS DESIRE V. DUTY (DUTY PREVAILS) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
It is not every day that a Supreme Court justice calls his own
decisions unwise. But with unusual candor, Justice John Paul Stevens
did that last week in a speech in which he explored the gap that
sometimes lies between a judge's desire and duty. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Addressing a bar association meeting in Las Vegas, Justice Stevens
dissected several of the recent term's decisions, including his own
majority opinions in two of the term's most prominent cases. The
outcomes were "unwise," he said, but "in each I was convinced that the
law compelled a result that I would have opposed if I were a
legislator." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Justice Stevens said he also regretted having to rule in favor of the federal government's ability to enforce its narcotics laws and thus trump California's medical marijuana initiative. "I have no hesitation in telling you that I agree with the policy choice made by the millions of California voters," he said. But given the broader stakes for the power of Congress to regulate commerce, he added, "our duty to uphold the application of the federal statute was pellucidly clear." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(4) US CO: POT LAW MAKES BALLOT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Denver Initiative Would Legalize Adult Possession, Use | ||||||||||||||||||||
Denver would become the second city in the nation to legalize the adult use of marijuana if voters approve a ballot measure in November. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The first city was Oakland, Calif. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Voters there overwhelmingly approved an initiative last year that
requires the city to regulate and tax marijuana, similarly to the way
it administers laws on alcohol. It also directs Oakland officials to
make pot the city's lowest law enforcement priority. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The new law has not been enacted because it conflicts with the state
of California's laws. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Denver's initiative may face the same fate. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The ballot measure would make it legal for adults 21 years and older
to possess less than 1 once of marijuana. But state law prohibits the
possession of marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
The measure's backers, Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation,
collected more than the 12,000 signatures needed to force the matter
onto the ballot. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"This initiative shouldn't even be here at the local level," said Councilman Michael Hancock, one of the measure's most vocal critics. "I've seen the devastating effects of drugs in our urban city. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I have no tolerance for these kinds of discussions. It has no place
in the public dialogue." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (5-9) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The First National Conference on Methamphetamine, HIV and Hepatitis
was held in Salt Lake City, Utah last weekend and included the avid
participation of SLC's Mayor Anderson. Two Oklahoma Senators, on the
other hand, were upset at the apparent conference sponsorship by
our federal Health and Human Services. HHS quickly denied the
sponsorship as the Oklahoma's Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous
Drugs Control proudly stated they had declined an invitation once
they found out alternatives to our current policies were to be
discussed. A more enlightened representative from the UK received
praise from two UK columnists after calling for an end to drug
prohibition. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The last story shows that no matter how much money we spend, how
many liberties we loose, how many police officers we hire, how many
prisons we build - human beings will find a way to "take the edge
off" the troubles they face. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(5) ROCKY CALLS WAR ON DRUGS 'A DISASTER' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The war on drugs has been an "absolute unmitigated failure - a disaster i n this country." Strong words spoken by Salt Lake City's Mayor Rocky Anders on during a panel discussion Friday night at the Harm Reduction Conference. In the two hours following Anderson's opening remarks, civic and community leaders from around the country echoed his sentiments, calling for greater outreach, education and prevention for drug abuse. "We want to prevent, when we can, the abuse of all substances and for those who choose to use, reduce the harm," Anderson said. The second part of his quote, the notion which, in some form, accepts drug use and looks to minimize its risks, is what the Harm Reduction Conference is all about. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The first annual conference, held at the Salt Lake City Marriott on
Friday and today, focuses on methamphetamine, HIV and hepatitis.
Among those on the panel were Dave Purchase, of the North American
Syringe Exchange Network, whose civic involvement in Seattle brought
about the first needle exchange program in the United States, and
Dave Nadalmann, of the Drug Policy Alliance, who advocates more
practical approaches to drug reform. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(6) INHOFE, COBURN OPPOSE MEETING (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
A claim that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is sponsoring a conference about methamphetamine and sexually transmitted diseases raised the ire of Oklahoma's two senators. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sens. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, and Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee, are among six who sent a letter this week to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt criticizing the agency. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Although Health and Human Services was listed as a primary sponsor
for the conference, department spokeswoman Christina Pearson said
conference organizers made a mistake. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"HHS is not a sponsor of the conference. The conference organizers
incorrectly listed us as a sponsor without our knowledge or
consent," she said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Conference organizers counter that the agency provided them with a $3,000 grant, but the agency denies it provided the money. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"There was discussion of $3,000 that would provide some scholarship
funds to defray travel costs of people attending, but this is not
being provide d now," Pearson said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
The meeting also attracted the attention of Oklahoma's Bureau of
Narcotic s and Dangerous Drugs Control. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The agency had been asked to make a presentation, but decided
against it, its spokesman said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"We were led to believe that it was about raising awareness about
meth and the dangers associated with it. We were not aware that
there would be other questionable and potentially controversial
topics being discussed out there," Mark Woodward said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
As of Thursday, more than 900 health care workers, scientists, law
enforcement agents and others from around the world were registered
to attend the conference. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(7) COLUMN: ZERO INTELLIGENCE | ||||||||||||||||||||
Muddled Thinking Over Drug Use In Prisons Will Help The Criminals | ||||||||||||||||||||
Is there anyone in either the Dail or the Seannad with the courage
and imagination of British Liberal Democrat Chris Davies? The Welsh
MEP raised a row in the UK when he suggested that perhaps it was
time to rethink the Western world's policy on drugs. Davies put
forward the idea long advocated by libertarians that legalising all
narcotics would drastically slash the profits of drug smugglers and
dealers while reducing crime rates caused b y addicts prepared to
pay astronomical prices for their fix. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Davies is, in a sense, stating the blindingly obvious: the West is
losing the so-called 'war on drugs'. Demand for drugs such as
ecstasy, cocaine and heroin in the EU and North America is, if
you'll excuse the pun, at an all-time high. For instance, even in
Afghanistan, the presence of thousands of American and Nato troops
has not halted the growing of the poppy and t he subsequent production
of heroin. In fact, it appears that the 'war on drugs' is probably
even less winnable than the 'war on terror', both of which are being
prosecuted in that same country. | ||||||||||||||||||||
So far, no one within any of the Irish political parties has taken
up the Lib Dem's imaginative proposal. Only the Greens favour the
legalisation of certain soft drugs such as cannabis, while the
others maintain a prohibitionist stance. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(8) COLUMN: WHY CAN'T YOU BUY HEROIN AT BOOTS? | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Most of us aren't heroin addicts because we don't want to be heroin
addicts. Or coke heads or meth freaks. The people who do want to be
junkies are junkies. Were hard drugs decriminalised, it's dubious
that consumption would appreciably rise. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Which is why Lib Dem MP Chris Davies's calling for the legalisation
and regulation of hard drugs last week really shouldn't qualify as
"brave". Nor should Lord Birt's now partially leaked 2003 report on
UK drug policy qualify as "controversial". The report's assertions
make common sense: for drug cartels, government seizures are merely
a modest line-item in their budgets; the "maximum" - meaning,
farcically optimistic - estimate of drug seizures runs to 25% of
total supply. Confiscation only serves to drive up the street price
of hard drugs and so benefits their purveyors. Therefore , even more
effective narcotics enforcement would simply push users into
stealing yet more DVD players to fund costlier habits. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Alas, common sense is in short supply on this matter. The west's
prohibition approach to drugs is as entrenched as it is idiotic.
Davies and Birt are pissing in the wind. So, by the way, am I. But
I've nothing else to do this afternoon, so let's fritter away my
time. | ||||||||||||||||||||
It would be nice if everyone were happy and good. If everyone were a
productive member of society, reliably rising to greet the morning,
bursting into song and eager for the day ahead. If we all took such
joy in the miracle of sheer being that it would never enter our heads
to try to fuzzy up a single blade of grass. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Yet as for working out the details of a legal distribution scheme
that would effectively result in "harm reduction", why bother?
Davies was wasting his breath, Birt his paper - as I am wasting
yours. I cannot imagine a rational, pragmatic approach to drugs in
the western world evolving in my lifetime. Davies's proposal was
sane, it was welcome; it was also self-destructive. Fellow Lib Dems
rushed to clarify that he was not promoting party policy. And these
are Lib Dems! Can you envisage an American presidential candidate
going out on a limb to advocate that the US decriminalises heroin?
That's right, with pigs flying merrily overhead, and hell freezing
below. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(9) SNIFF CRISIS PUT IN PM'S LAP (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Native Leaders To Confront Cabinet Over Solvent Abuse | ||||||||||||||||||||
The solvent-abuse crisis gripping a Manitoba reserve will be thrown
in the laps of Prime Minister Paul Martin and his top cabinet
ministers when they meet in Winnipeg on Friday. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Two grand chiefs vow to give Indian Affairs Minister Andy Scott a strong message about the solvent crisis on Pauingassi First Nation. | ||||||||||||||||||||
An exclusive Free Press story Sunday revealed that 20 per cent of
the reserve's 450 residents, including half the children, are
addicted to solvents such as gasoline or glue. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (10-12) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Seems as some Canadian legislatures have not heard Benjamin Franklin's wise words, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Hopefully they will carefully study the following Vancouver Sun's editorial before making the legislation official. | ||||||||||||||||||||
An Utah editor attempts to justify the paramilitary police activity used to break up a rave saying the harmful drugs justify the means and only those who were present can judge whether too much force was used. We all can 'be there' as the 'net spreads the truth via digital video clips, http://www.music-versus-guns.org/media.html. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Arrowhead collectors beware! If there weren't already enough hysterical claims about the signs of Methamphetamine use, an Arkansas Sheriff has "come to expect arrowheads - when he storms the home of suspected meth makers." It can't be long before possession of an arrowhead will be cause for search and seizure. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(10) POLICE CAN KEEP PACE WITH TECHNOLOGY WITHOUT STRIPPING AWAY RIGHTS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The federal government is considering allowing police into dangerous
new territory in the name of public security. | ||||||||||||||||||||
According to news reports, police and security agencies would be
given the right to browse through personal e-mails, text messages
and possibly even password-protected websites used for purchasing
goods and financial transactions without first seeking a warrant
from a judge. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Internet has created a new venue for human activity, but it has
not changed the principles governing the balance we seek between the
need to protect ourselves from those who would do us harm and our
right to maintain private lives. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The legislation under discussion seems to confuse the need for
police to keep pace with technological change with the desire to
have new powers in what would be a fundamental assault on the right
to privacy. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(11) EDITORIAL: BREAKING UP A CANYON PARTY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unless people were there Saturday night, participating in the "rave"
party in Spanish Fork canyon, it would be hard for them to draw
conclusions as to whether police used excessive force when they
busted things up, as party organizers are alleging. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But there can be no question as to whether the health of party goers
was endangered by illegal drugs that were circulating, and there can
be little question that the event's organizers were sloppy and
ill-organized. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(12) ARK. SHERIFF EXPLORES LINK BETWEEN METH AND ARROWHEADS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
SEARCY, Ark. - The time consuming and methodical motion of searching
for arrowheads on farmland and in river beds seems to appeal to
methamphetamine addicts, a sheriff says. | ||||||||||||||||||||
White County Sheriff Pat Garrett says after more than 100 search
warrants , he has come to expect arrowheads, many thousands of years
old, when he storms the home of suspected meth makers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I noticed it when I first started. It just seemed there were always Indian arrowheads and I couldn't figure it out," Garrett said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (13-16) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Let me begin this week by congratulating the organizers and
volunteers of the Seattle Hempfest 2005. As a result of fantastic
weather, incredible organization, and a high level of support from
the local community, this year's festival - already North America's
largest cannabis freedom event - went off without a hitch. Over
150,000 cannabis users over the two days of the event and no
violence or arrests - oh yeah, Mr. Walters, we're the problem
here. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Talking about problems, our next article is an interview with Marc
Emery from Dose Magazine in which Emery reflects on the actions that
have led to this pivotal point in his life as an entrepreneur and
activist, and how he remains optimistic and upbeat despite the DEA
extradition order that has destroyed his business and so disrupted
his life. And on the heels of this story, a report that WAMM
co-founder Valerie Corral may sue the Burbank airport and police for
detaining her after finding about 5 grams of cannabis on her person
before boarding a flight. Corral, who is a legal cannabis user under
California state law, will appear at a hearing on August 29th where
she will plead not guilty to the misdemeanor charge. | ||||||||||||||||||||
And lastly this week, an article by Florida sports columnist Ray
McNulty on Randy Moss' recent admission that he still smokes pot
occasionally. Although one may question why Moss - who has been
rebuked by the NFL for drug use in the past - would make this
admission publicly, I find it incredible that the author would
prefer for him to lie than to admit that you can be a dominant,
electrifying sports figure and still smoke pot. Would he be so
castigated if he admitted that he had the occasional can of
Budweiser or glass of wine? No, he'd get a multi-million dollar
endorsement deal. From all the way up here in Canada, this bud's for
you, Randy; 'cause Moss don't grow on a well, that doesn't quite
work, but I had to go for it. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(13) HEMPFEST FANS ROCKIN' THE JOINT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Spontaneous drum circles, stick jugglers wearing jester hats and a
raffle for a 3-foot-tall bong. | ||||||||||||||||||||
It must be Hempfest. | ||||||||||||||||||||
When the festival ends today, organizers expect the gathering - billed as "the world's phattest protestival" - to have drawn as many as 150,000 attendees to Myrtle Edwards Park for free concerts, pro-pot speeches and a milelong strip of hemp-based shopping opportunities. In the market for "hemp litter for small pets"? | ||||||||||||||||||||
The event, now in its 14th year, aims to decriminalize marijuana and
legalize domestic hemp production. It's illegal to grow hemp - a
cousin o f marijuana - in the United States. But products made from
it - such as paper, soap and granola mix - are legal to sell and
consume. However, some consider the peasant skirts and ponchos
commonly made from the fibers to be crimes of fashion. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Seattle police were there, but spokesman Sean Whitcomb explained,
"Marijuana enforcement is one of our lowest priorities. Keeping the
public safe is our No. 1 mission at Hempfest." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(14) EMERY "NOT SCARED" (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Right now MARC EMERY's got no seeds to sell. The pot prince, weed warrior, jailbird and munificent marijuana activist, is readying for a skunky battle as he faces hard time in an American prison. | ||||||||||||||||||||
And he says he's not scared. | ||||||||||||||||||||
EMERY, 47, grew up in Ontario and currently sits at the head of a
global cannabis community. And since the American Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA) charged him last month for selling seeds
online - something he'd done for years - he says more and more
people are taking note of his battle. | ||||||||||||||||||||
We sat down with EMERY - against a wall, painted with hemp leaves - and spent an hour trying to figure out what makes him tick. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(15) MEDICAL POT ACTIVIST MAY SUE OVER BUST AT AIRPORT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
A well-known local medical marijuana advocate is considering a
lawsuit after getting caught with the drug at a Southern California
airport in late July. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Valerie Corral said she was at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank when
security officials found about "5 or so grams" of pot in her bag.
She had a Santa Cruz County medical identification card and a
doctor's recommendation, she said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
That didn't keep her from being detained for about 45 minutes,
having her pot taken and getting a citation. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Corral, co-founder of Santa Cruz's Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical
Marijuana, said she is fighting the charge, and may sue to ensure
state medical marijuana laws are followed in the city. She is
getting help from the Drug Law Reform Project of the American Civil
Liberties Union based in Santa Cruz. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(16) MOSS SPEAKS BEFORE HE THINKS, AGAIN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
If Moss does still get high on ganja - and, according to excepts
from his HBO interview, he said he might light up "every blue moon"
- there's at least a chance he'll get caught. And if he does get
caught, if he fails enough drug tests, it could cost him more than
money. It could, eventually, cost him his football career. That
would be a waste. That would be stupid. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Of course, Moss has done some dumb things before. He's got a history
of problems, on and off the field. Some of those problems, which
date back to his high school years, involved his use of marijuana.
And those problems put him at Marshall instead of Florida State and
dropped him to the 21st pick in the NFL Draft. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Not surprisingly, the cloud of controversy has followed Moss to the
NFL, where his pass-catching skills sometimes have been overshadowed
by his behavior. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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International News | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (17-20) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Under prohibition, prohibited drugs are not inspected for safety or
purity. One batch may be potent, the next weak. Heroin users are
especially vulnerable to an unexpectedly strong batch ("hot heroin")
that can kill users. This happened last week in Vancouver, Canada
when potent heroin hit the street and at least five users
(unaccustomed to such strong heroin) died. Police there (who had
earlier taken a hard line against Vancouver's supervised injection
site) in a stunning about-face are now urging heroin users to take
their heroin at the site, according to a report in Vancouver's
24hours magazine. | ||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. officials are heartened by growing signs that some left-wing
Colombian rebels may be involved with cocaine trafficking. Evidence
of Colombian rebel involvement with cocaine is eagerly sought by
U.S. anti-drug warriors, to bolster accusations they have made
against the FARC and ELN Colombian rebel groups for at least twenty
years. A recent bust of tons of cocaine in supposedly Colombian
rebel-held territory has been held up by U.S. drug warriors as proof
of the link. Washington now has a never-ending line of Communist
Drug Terror Rebels to prosecute, no matter how flimsy the evidence.
U.S. prohibitionists hope to avoid a repeat of last year's botched
prosecution of Nelson Vargas Rueda, a FARC member extradited to the
U.S. from Colombia. A court in D.C. found Rueda not guilty of
cocaine trafficking. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fire-breathing preachers in the Bible-belt, jailing sinful marijuana
users for the Glory of Christ have little on the Islamic militias in
Somalia, who last week began demolishing the shanties of those
suspected of selling marijuana or wine in Mogadishu. In platitudes
familiar to subjects of prohibitionist regimes worldwide, the Islamic
Militia issued an explanation for events. "We want to fight against
every thing that can spread obnoxious misconduct within this ...
community and the use of narcotics and other toxic drugs." Expect the
use of drugs to soar in Somalia. | ||||||||||||||||||||
While authorities in Indonesia hailed Indonesian Independence Day by
reducing the sentences of the Bali bombers (who in 2002 killed over
50 Australians), another Australian was nabbed by Bali drug cops for
allegedly possessing ... two MDMA pills. Sydney model Michelle
Leslie, 24, is being held in a Balinese jail awaiting a pro forma
trial and conviction. After her conviction, Leslie will receive up
to 15 years in jail for possessing the two pills. Meanwhile,
convicted militant Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir currently in jail
for the Bali bombings got his sentence reduced and should be a free
man again in a few months. Earlier this year, Balinese prohibition
officials sentenced Australian Schapelle Corby, accused of smuggling
cannabis into Bali, to 20 years in jail. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(17) 'HOT' DOPE CLAIMS FIVE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Hot heroin" is being blamed for five deaths last weekend. | ||||||||||||||||||||
After Vancouver Police said Monday that three people had overdosed
on heroin on the weekend, Sgt. Anne Drennan told the media yesterday
that two more have been added to the list. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Two downtown eastside males in their 40s were found overdosed
together, leading police to believe deadly doses of the drug are
being sold. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Both police and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority are urging
drug users to use the safe injection site in Vancouver. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(18) DRUG EVIDENCE AGAINST REBELS STACKING UP (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
For Decades, Colombia's Shadowy FARC Rebel Group Was Suspected Of
Drug-Trade Activity. Now, Though, Colombian And Foreign Authorities
Are Arresting Rebels In Trafficking Cases. | ||||||||||||||||||||
BOGOTA - As far as drug busts go, this one was huge: seven tons of
cocaine found in a small underground compartment at the rear of a
farmhouse in central Venezuela. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But as important as the drugs were the armbands also found at the
site last year -- from the 16th Front of the Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia , or FARC. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Accusations that the Marxist guerrilla group, which has been
fighting the Colombian government for more than four decades, was
linked to the drug trade go back to the 1980s. But until recently
there was little evidence the rebels were moving cocaine through
foreign countries on its way to th e United States and Europe, and
efforts to prosecute its members for those kinds of crimes proved
nearly impossible. | ||||||||||||||||||||
That is changing. Increasingly, FARC guerrillas have become a target
of Colombian and foreign drug prosecutors. Eight rebels currently
face indictments in the United States. Of those, two mid-level FARC
commanders , including Ricardo Palmera, alias Simon Trinidad,
already were extradited to Washington in recent months to face
charges of drug trafficking, among others. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
A mid-level commander of the 14th Front known as Comandante Sonia was the other FARC leader extradited to Washington to await trial on drug charges . She is suspected of keeping watch over a vast network of rivers used to move tons of cocaine headed for foreign markets. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
And a former 14th Front commander, Jose Benito Cabrera, alias Fabian Ramirez, has been indicted in the United States for allegedly masterminding the network. Cabrera's brother, Erminso Cuevas Cabrera, was recently arrested in Colombia and charged with drug trafficking. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Difficult Cases | ||||||||||||||||||||
Still, building prosecutions against FARC members for trafficking
drugs remains difficult. Witnesses and associates are hard to find.
Da Costa, jailed in Brazil, insists the FARC had nothing to do with
drug trafficking. | ||||||||||||||||||||
One FARC member extradited to the United States for drug trafficking,
Nelson Vargas Rueda, also an alleged member of the 16th Front, was
found not guilty in a Washington, D.C., court last year and returned
to Colombia. | ||||||||||||||||||||
And a U.S. federal investigator, speaking anonymously because of the
sensitivity of the case, said that the drug case against the FARC's
Palmera is very weak. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Army and prosecution officials here say they have no doubts that the
FARC has turned into a virtual drug cartel. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But proving it may be a difficult matter. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(19) ISLAMIC COURTS DEMOLISH STALLS IN SOMALIA (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
MOGADISHU, Somalia -- Militias of Islamic courts on Tuesday began
pulling down stalls suspected of selling wine, marijuana and other
drugs in Somalia's capital, a militia leader and an Islamic court
official said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Witnesses said the militiamen also confiscated equipment from two video halls during their effort to enforce sharia - or Islamic law. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Six people have been arrested accused of dealing in wine, marijuana
and other drugs prohibited under sharia, and militiamen allegedly
found an unspecified quantity of drugs inside the demolished iron
sheet stalls, said Mohamed Duale Hashi, a commander of the Islamic
courts' militias in Mogad ishu. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sheikh Ahmed Mo'alin Yusuf, a leader of the Islamic courts, said the
demolitions are the beginning of an anti-drug campaign organized by
the Islamic Courts Union. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"We want to fight against every thing that can spread obnoxious
misconduct within this Muslim community and the use of narcotics
and other toxic drugs," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(20) BALI ECSTASY TO AGONY: ARRESTED MODEL FACES 15 YEARS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Michelle Leslie, the Sydney model Bali police say they caught with
two ecstasy tablets on her way to a dance party, could be jailed for
up to 15 years if convicted. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The 24-year-old, who also uses the surname Lee, was arrested on
Saturday but has refused to answer police questions, spending much
of her time in tears. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Major Kusin said Leslie's car was the subject of a routine random
search. Four Indonesians had also been arrested with ecstasy pills.
He denied foreigners were being targeted over drug use in Bali. But
he added "we apply selective priority because we have limited police
officers". | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Leslie has been a model for Myer and Antz Pantz underwear. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
WEB LOG OF DR. TOM O'CONNELL | ||||||||||||||||||||
New Blog by medical cannabis researcher and long time editor (1997
through the summer of 2001) of the DrugSense Weekly | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMUNITY AUDITS AND INITIATIVES PROJECT | ||||||||||||||||||||
National change often starts by acting locally; the DrugSense Community
Audits and Initiatives Project will help you to get informed, get
involved and to finally get a drug policy based on science, reason and
compassion for your local community. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
RECENT ATTEMPTS AT REFORMING CANADIAN LEGISLATION REGARDING MARIJUANA | ||||||||||||||||||||
Decriminalization Versions 1.0 - 1.4... Contraventions and Contradictions | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Ben Woolsey, Student of Criminology at Simon Fraser University | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
THE FUTURE OF DRUG REFORM | ||||||||||||||||||||
SuicideGirls' Daniel Robert Epstein interviews Jacob Sullum (8/18) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
A MENACE TO SOCIETY | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sick people who smoke pot to get better...and our government's
tireless efforts to stop them! | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Peter Bagge | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
MUSIC VERSUS GUNS | ||||||||||||||||||||
Soon to be a centralized site with information on a multitude of issues pertaining to the Utah rave raid incident. Please visit this site to learn more about what happened and what you can do. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
ARREST RATES HAVING LITTLE IMPACT ON MARIJUANA USE | ||||||||||||||||||||
Washington, DC - According to a new report from the Justice Policy
Institute, data shows little relationship between growing arrest
rates for marijuana offenses and the drug's use rate, despite it
surpassing heroin and cocaine as leading category of drug arrest
since the mid-1990s. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
CULTURAL BAGGAGE RADIO SHOW | ||||||||||||||||||||
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WHAT YOU CAN DO THIS WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
JOIN US FOR "HOW TO INCREASE DPR MEDIA IN YOUR AREA" | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sun. August 28 /05, 09:00 p.m. ET | ||||||||||||||||||||
MAP's Media Activism Facilitator Steve Heath will be joined by some of our most prominent and prolific letter and opinion writers from around the U.S. and Canada. Included in the discussions will be quick and easy tips and directions for how to increase printed Letters to the Editor, OPED columns and newspaper Editorials on any of several current hot topics related to national and state drug policies. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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LETTER OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
REGULATING DRUGS | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Suzanne Wills, Drug Policy Forum of Texas | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dallas - Columnist Steve Chapman is exactly right in his analysis of
the current meth hysteria ( "The latest drug crisis, again,"
Commentary, Aug. 7). "America's most dangerous drug of the week is
methamphetamine, better known as crystal meth." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Meanwhile regulated (legal) methamphetamine hydrochloride, called
Desoxyn by the manufacturer, is sold to children for attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder and to adults for obesity apparently
without incident. | ||||||||||||||||||||
From the 1930s until 1965, amphetamines were fairly easy to obtain.
They were popular with college students, truck drivers, shift workers
and those who wanted to lose a few pounds. They were abused by a few
"speed freaks ." | ||||||||||||||||||||
The federal government removed many pharmaceutical amphetamine
products from the market in 1965. Demand for the drugs remained
strong. The market answered with meth. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Incarceration has never reduced demand for drugs or the problems
associated with an illegal market. What is needed is comprehensive
regulation. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
IN PAIN? CALL A COP. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Among many unintended consequences of the war on drugs -- destruction
of the inner cities, loss of respect for the law, gang warfare --
there is one surprise about to nail Baby Boomers right between the
eyes. And we're witnessing it with increasing frequency over the past
24 months. | ||||||||||||||||||||
As this fabled generation approaches antiquity with the standard compliment of ailments that flesh is heir to, they are discovering the federal government is utterly indifferent to their physical pain, even when the pain is so excruciating you'd rather be dead. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ever had a toothache over the weekend? You try to focus on Monday
morning when the dentist will be back from his fishing trip. But
what if the toothache is incurable? "Imagine if you had to grin and
bear it for an undetermined period of time," says pain patient
Richard Paey. "You can't see straight. You think you'll pass out,
and sometimes you do. And sometimes you pray you will." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Paey was sentenced last year to 25 years in Florida state prison for trying to get enough narcotics to make his agony bearable. No matter that he is wheelchair bound with MS and his back was destroyed by botched surgery twenty years ago. Florida drug cops in combination with the Drug Enforcement Administration busted him because his prescriptions were not in order -- his doctor was out of state. | ||||||||||||||||||||
It seems he couldn't find a local doctor because most physicians
these days are terrified of the DEA. Consider the case of Dr. Frank
Fisher, a Harvard trained physician who used to run a community
health center in Anderson, California. Dr. Fisher caught the
attention of the drug police when he began prescribing narcotics at
a rate the non-medically educated lawmen felt was inappropriate.
They arrested him and charged him with murder -- five of his
patients had died after he prescribed narcotics. He was labeled a
drug kingpin and jailed under a $15 million bond. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But when the case got to court, Shasta County Judge William Gallagher
didn't like anything about it. He dismissed the murder charges yes,
the patients had died but Fisher had nothing to do with it. One woman
was killed in a car crash -- as a passenger! | ||||||||||||||||||||
This past April Dr. Fisher was finally exonerated on all charges --
after five months in prison and six years in court. Now he's 51,
flat broke, living with his parents, and his clinic is long gone. If
you ask him for painkillers today he'll likely say, "Take two
aspirin and call me in the morning." | ||||||||||||||||||||
The experience was even worse for some of his former patients. Most have been unable to find adequate care, several have died, and two dozen of them had to apply for full disability -- including patients who had previously been earning a living and paying taxes. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"What you are seeing is the clash of the war on drugs conflicting
with the war on pain," says Dr. Scott Fishman, chief of the
division of pain medicine at the University of California Davis. "It
has a chilling effect for health care in the future." This particular
shoot-out is essentially a religious war between a federal agency
that views narcotics as a tool of the Devil, and an awakening medical
profession that has recently re-discovered the value of painkillers
derived from the opium poppy. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Traditionally, opiates have been prescribed only for short term
pain. Using them over the long haul labeled patients as a 'drug
addict'. But recent studies turn that thinking on its head. We now
know patients who use opiates to deaden pain do not get high, and
fewer than two in a hundred become addicted. Additionally, opiates
are virtually harmless to internal organs -- unlike aspirin, Tylenol
and ibuprofen which can damage the stomach, liver and kidneys. Most
important, patients lucky enough to get sufficient opiates to truly
make the pain disappear are often able to forget about suicide and
actually get back to life. | ||||||||||||||||||||
At the moment the lawmen clearly have the upper hand. By publicly
terrorizing pain specialists like Dr. Fisher, they are forcing the
medical profession to abandon the most effective painkillers we've
ever known. As a consequence one American in ten may be living with
chronic pain when relief should be just a phone call away. Those
ranks, however, are about to swell dramatically as the Boomers hit
their 60s. The betting is that this huge demographic wave is going
to alter the political scenery on pain management just as they have
transformed everything else in their path. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Its about time. As Dr. David Brushwood, professor of pharmacy at the University of Florida puts it, "Interference in medical practice by a federal agency is intolerable. If the agency insists on an approach to diversion prevention that misunderstands medical practice and victimizes pain patients, it has outlived its usefulness." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mike Gray is the Chairman of Common Sense For Drug Policy,
http://www.csdp.org/ He is also the author of the best selling
books, DRUG CRAZY and BUSTED, a compilation of essays by leading
national voices on drug policy. He has recently joined the newly
created DrugSense Drug Policy Writers Group, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." - Mark Twain | ||||||||||||||||||||
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