| Dec. 16, 2005 #429 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Table of Contents
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
THIS JUST IN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) FORMER SHERIFF SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 24 YEARS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Former Cameron County Sheriff Conrado Cantu was
sentenced Tuesday to more than 24 years in federal prison and a $5,000
fine for using his office to lead a criminal enterprise that extorted
money from drug dealers and other criminals. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"I share everyone else's disappointment in what you have done and what
you have allowed others to do because of the position that you had,"
U.S. District Judge Hilda Tagle said as she sentenced Cantu and four
co-defendants. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cantu, 50, stood with hunched shoulders in green prison garb,
noticeably thinner than when he was arrested and sent to jail in June.
His attorney, Alberto Pullen, has said he has found religion and
realized he had a drinking problem. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
When asked if he had anything to say before being sentenced, his loud, trembling, voice filled the courtroom with an apologetic soliloquy that lasted more than five minutes before Tagle cut him off. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"I am not here to cry. I've cried for six months in a room by myself," Cantu said. "The man that you arrested six months ago, he's dead. ... I was lost in sin and alcohol. ... This is the real Conrado Cantu, the man who has passion and love and writes songs. I have charisma." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
He said that he had been ill-equipped for the sheriff's job, and by the end of his four-year term the pressure of 18-hour days and media attention had gotten to him. He said that he hated drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(2) FEW STATE PRISONERS FREED UNDER EASED DRUG LAW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
When Gov. George E. Pataki signed a law a year ago reducing what he called "unduly long sentences" for drug crimes, he predicted that hundreds of nonviolent drug offenders would be released from prison. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
But so far, only 142 prisoners - about 30 percent of those originally eligible for new sentences under the revised law - have been freed, according to a report released yesterday by the Legal Aid Society. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The new law "has not resulted in a whole heck of a lot in terms of real
impact on folks who were serving long sentences," said Gabriel Sayegh,
a policy analyst for the Drug Policy Alliance, which supports further
changes in the drug laws and organized a news conference to publicize
the Legal Aid report. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The new sentencing provisions were the most widely heralded aspect of the Drug Law Reform Act of 2004, which changed the mandatory sentencing laws imposed in 1973 when Nelson Rockefeller was governor. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Those laws had been criticized for requiring judges to impose a
sentence of 15 years to life on anyone convicted of selling two ounces
or possessing four ounces of narcotics, whether they were drug lords or
low-level couriers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(3) DR. KALE VS. THE DRUG WARRIORS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Oxycontin Is Not the Problem, He Says. 'The DEA Is the Problem.' | ||||||||||||||||||||||
FORT SMITH - This is Dr. Robert Kale discussing the drug problem in
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
"The drug problem has gotten worse since the inception of the DEA
[federal Drug Enforcement Administration]. The pressure they put on
caused an increase in price. When that happened, a whole bunch of
entrepreneurs got in the business, just like Prohibition. Drugs hadn't
been rampant in the schools before the DEA. In the '60s, amphetamines
were widely available, but they weren't used recreationally. They were
used to lose weight. Truck drivers used them to stay awake. [So did
college students cramming for tests.]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Congress told the DEA, 'You're not making a difference.' The DEA needed something it could be effective on. So about 2001 or 2002, they designated Oxycontin as the number-one drug problem in the country." Oxycontin is a pain-relieving drug, one of a group known as "opioids," that is prescribed by doctors. "Look in the paper at the drug arrests. You'll see methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine and heroin arrests. And a lot of those are just from random stops on the highway. There's no telling the amount of illegal drugs that never get caught. Much less often do you see arrests involving prescription drugs, and when you do, it's usually in combination with nonprescription drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Meth is the big problem, not Oxycontin. But the DEA likes to go after doctors, not the people making meth. Doctors are in air-conditioned offices, and they don't carry guns. That's a lot better than going out in tick-infested woods looking for somebody who may be armed and hostile. Also, doctors are easily intimidated. So DEA, being the cowards and scum that they are, goes after doctors instead." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(4) BOLIVIAN SCORES WITH ANTI-U.S., PRO-COCA STANCE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Presidential Candidate Decries 'Colonialism' In South America's Latest
Leftist Campaign
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
LA PAZ, Bolivia -- The leading candidate in Bolivia's presidential election Sunday is a former llama herder and coca farmer and a confirmed bachelor. He's unorthodox in other ways, too. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Evo Morales, 45, vows to end Bolivia's 20-year-old open-door economic
policies and decriminalize the growing of coca, the leaf from which
cocaine is made. And perhaps most alarming to Washington, he is
addressing his country's social and economic disparities with a big
dose of anti-American rhetoric. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"This election will change history," Morales, 46, said Tuesday at his
last campaign rally in La Paz, the capital. An indigenous Indian,
Morales addressed the crowd holding a gold-flecked staff and wearing a
traditional red poncho draped over his signature blue, terrycloth zip-
up sweatshirt. A wreath of potatoes, roses and coca leaves was draped
around his neck. "If we don't win, neo-liberalism and colonialism will
deepen," he said, referring to policies of previous administrations
that have worked closely with the United States and other countries.
"The time of dignity for the people has come."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Morales' populist, socialist and anti-American stance resembles the
politics of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Like oil-rich Venezuela,
Morales' country sits on a vast supply of energy: the continent's
second-largest reserves of natural gas. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The United States is concerned that if Morales wins, another Latin
American nation will swing to the left -- away from free trade and, in
this case, the war on drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic News- Policy
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (5-8) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In another attempt to attack the supply instead of the demand, the
House has tied pseudoephedrine purchase restrictions to the Patriot
Act renewal. Just as prohibition of some drugs has created an
underground market, evidence of the same is appearing for this
methamphetamine ingredient. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Even though anti-Meth propaganda continues to monopolize drug
related headlines some sensible coverage still occurs. Two excellent
examples of this are included below - one by an 18 year old giving
this writer hope for the DARE generation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(5) BILL WITH GOAL OF STAMPING OUT METH IS ON RIDE WITH PATRIOT ACT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Tucked into the USA Patriot Act is legislation that would restrict and record the sale of products necessary to cook methamphetamine. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Congressional leaders say they believe that the bill is an important
step in dealing with the drug. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The provision would:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Place limits on the amount of pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient
in meth, that can be bought both daily (3.6 grams) and monthly (9
grams). | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Place pseudoephedrine products behind the counter or in a locked
cabinet. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Require purchasers of pseudoephedrine to show photo ID and sign a
logbook detailing their purchase. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(6) EPHEDRINE WITH EASE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Main Meth Ingredient Still Not Hard To Buy
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
The prime ingredient used to make crystal methamphetamine is easily
available in Winnipeg despite tougher federal rules introduced in
2003 to restrict its sale, the Free Press has found. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
But it depends on who you know and whether you can be trusted. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Black-market ephedrine hydrochloride -- a stimulant marketed as a
nasal decongestant -- can be purchased with cash under the counter
at health-supplement stores or through the Internet, according to
police and drug experts. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"It's always cash," one source said, explaining he regularly buys three bottles of ephedrine hydrochloride, containing 200 25-milligram tablets for $50 each, for his daily pick-me-up. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Health Canada, the federal agency that regulates the sale of medication and other health products, approves only eight-mg doses of ephedrine HCL. A bottle of 50 eight-mg tablets is less than $4. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The bottles of the 25-mg ephedrine HCL the source recently purchased
do not have a company name, a country of origin or an eight-digit
Drug Identification Number (DIN), as required by Health Canada for
legal sale in Canada. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The ease with which the ephedrine was purchased came as no surprise
to police. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(7) OPED: MEDIA-FUELED DRUG HYSTERIA BLURS FOCUS
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Meth labs in basements. Bony boys scratching scabs on their skin.
Headlines claiming "One hit and hooked for life." Megalomania.
Hallucinations. Psychosis.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
With the hurricane-like fury of methamphetamine fear flying around
in the media, you have to wonder who's actually having the
"psychotic episode"-the drug users or the rest of us. The parents
who fill up on distorted news bites about a drug "epidemic" while
sipping their morning coffee. The public figures who focus on meth
and its supposed link to crime. The people on the street who focus
on the grubby kid behind powder and pipe, instead of on the things
that lead him down the drug path in the first place. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Clearly, logic and reason-not to mention facts-have flown out the
window when it comes to meth, making it hard for people to see the
big picture. And the same holds true for other psychoactive
substances, from alcohol to heroin to crack cocaine. What can we do
to regain our composure long enough to identify the root issues and
come up with real solutions to the real problems? For starters,
let's try taking a deep breath, focusing on facts, and looking at
things with a clear head. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ironic as it seems, a street kid's decision to take meth is based on
a kind of logic, or "meth math." The equation: a need or desire to
get high, plus a shortage of cash, plus a lack of wheels to seek out
substances equals "choose meth." After all, it's cheap, easy to get,
and lasts around 12 hours. The claim that 70 per cent of Vancouver's
street youth use meth makes sense too. The drug not only has
escapist qualities that help kids cope with cold, hard street life,
but also keeps them awake for long periods of time. When you live on
the street, the less you sleep, the less likely your stuff will get
stolen. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
With these facts in mind, it's clear that the question isn't "How do we stop the meth epidemic?" The real questions are: What factors contribute to substance experimentation? Which ones make a teenager want to escape his reality? What can we do to help ensure experimentation and risk taking do not lead to harm and dependence? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(8) OPED: BATTLE AGAINST ILLEGAL DRUGS HAS BECOME IMPRACTICAL
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
As the years go by, the amount and intensity of antidrug propaganda
seems to be increasing considerably as people try to prevent and
minimize drug use in the United States. Other efforts to accomplish
this goal include investing in expensive programs to control drug
trafficking, and of course, crime enforcement. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
However, extensive prevention and enforcement efforts have resulted
in little gain. In the past 20 years, drug prices have plummeted and
availability has soared. In 1981, the retail price for a gram of
cocaine was about $1,000; currently, it is about $140. In a recent
survey by the Drug Policy Alliance, 90 percent of 12th-graders said
that marijuana is "easy" to purchase. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
As a teen, whether drugs are legal or not, my attitude toward them will remain the same -- similarly to how I refuse to smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco, even though legally I can. I honestly can say that what drives me to remain drug-free is not the annoying propaganda that costs taxpayers billions of dollars; nor is it merely the fact that it is illegal. I am drug-free simply because of the morals that have been instilled in me by my family. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The war on drugs is not changing the habits of the consumers, nor
preventing use by those who remain abstinent. Legalization of
certain drugs offers a new method of dealing with the drug problem,
one that would prove effective and proactive. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Law Enforcement & Prisons
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (9-12) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
On the frontlines of the Drug War, police officers know they can not
arrest every drug user the come in contact with. Examples of their
always available discretion is revealed in a couple articles from
British Colombia. Juxtaposed to this, though, is a 'fishing
expedition' in California which might land some DEA agents in hot
water. Followed closely by intimidation techniques used by Canadian
cops which were thankfully halted by an astute judge. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(9) POLICE SAY THREAT OF ARRESTS WORKING (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A police crackdown on injection drug users in the Downtown Eastside
that began Nov. 28 hasn't resulted in one arrest, says the police
commander in charge of the district. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Insp. Bob Rolls said Thursday that police have been diligent in
cracking down on drug users openly injecting in public, but so far
haven't had to arrest anybody. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"The information we're getting back is that drug users think we're going to charge them, so they're not doing it," Rolls said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Police are focusing on the area that runs from Columbia Street to
Gore Street, and from Cordova Street to Pender Street. Insite, the
city's supervised injection site, is located in the middle of that
area at 139 East Hastings. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The police action was prompted by complaints from businesses and
residents fed up with people injecting drugs on the streets and in
the alleys. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Since Insite opened in September 2003, Rolls said, police have
encouraged drug users to use the facility. Until police announced
the crackdown, they were not arresting users for possession of
drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ten days before the crackdown, police said they notified various
agencies in the Downtown Eastside, including staff at Insite and the
Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Although Rolls admits people may not believe police haven't arrested
anyone for shooting up in public, he credits the warnings and media
attention for curbing the problem. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(10) POLICE HAVEN'T SPOKEN TO ADDICT WHO SMOKED CRACK IN SULLIVAN'S (Top)VAN | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Over A Month Has Passed Since The Police Chief Called For A Review
Of The Mayor's Behaviour
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
VANCOUVER - The man who found himself front and centre during
Vancouver's recent civic election campaign over his story of smoking
crack in Mayor Sam Sullivan's van says the RCMP hasn't been in touch
with him to investigate the story. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Vancouver Chief Jamie Graham asked the RCMP more than a month ago to review the incident to determine whether Sullivan should be investigated and possibly charged with a criminal offence. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Shawn Millar, an on-again, off-again crack user who has been active
in community activities in the Downtown Eastside since he moved
there in 1987, said he also has no plans to present himself to the
RCMP for questioning. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"I've never had any dealings with them and I like it that way," said
Millar. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
He said he doesn't have a criminal record and doesn't want to get
one at this date. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(11) HOMEOWNER PROTESTS DEA ACTION IN UKIAH (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Six federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents invaded a Ukiah
resident's home Friday, threatened him with an automatic gun and
searched the residence without producing documentation, the resident
said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Clay Young said he was working on the home he is building on his
Running Springs Ranch property off Orr Springs Road when he realized
six men had entered the structure without knocking and were pointing
automatic weapons at him. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"It intimidated the bejesus out of me," Young said. "I said, Don't
point that thing at me.' I was scared."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
The men did not produce a search warrant or any identification,
aside from the letters "DEA" on their jackets, Young said. After
requesting his ID, Young added, they asked to walk through his house
without providing cause. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
After the search, the six men thanked Young -- who later said he was glad his wife and 3-year-old daughter were not home -- for his cooperation and drove off in an unmarked black pickup, he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Within an hour, Young called the county Sheriff's Office and left a message with a dispatcher. Sgt. Greg Van Patten returned the phone call and told Young the men were legitimate DEA agents and that Van Patten had provided backup from a few miles away, both men said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Van Patten said the agents were simply "in the general area looking
for information" and that it is not uncommon in rural areas to ask
local residents for aid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Young said he will soon make contact with Sheriff Tony Craver and
District Attorney Norm Vroman about what he sees as an infringement
of his civil rights. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"My feeling is that everyone makes mistakes and that's fine," Young
said. "But in my opinion, they crossed a do-not-cross line with an
automatic gun pointed at me. They entered my house without
permission or a warrant and then did not provide documentation.
That's not OK."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(12) JUDGE TURNS POLICE CROWD AWAY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Off-Duty Officers Jammed Hearing
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
DOZENS of off-duty Winnipeg police officers were left out in the
cold yesterday after a judge refused them entry into a misconduct
hearing that has been overshadowed by allegations of group
intimidation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Provincial court Judge Murray Howell made good on his promise to
create a more "comfortable" courtroom atmosphere by only allowing
about 20 spectators inside the Law Enforcement Review Act hearing.
The crowd included about a dozen officers, along with a handful of
reporters and members of the public. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Keith Labossiere, a lawyer representing the police service, tried to
get Howell to open the doors to a huge crowd of officers standing
outside in the hallway who had attended the first two days of the
hearing only to be turned away yesterday. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
He claimed such a ban violated the basic rights of the officers, who
have come out in droves to support their colleagues and ensure "the
process that judges them is fair."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
"By preventing them access, they may begin to feel intimidated by
the process," said Labossiere, who suggested another venue be found
that could accommodate more spectators. "This is a public hearing.
They have a right to attend."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Howell refused, citing his own reservations and the concerns of the
three men who have alleged they were viciously beaten by Winnipeg
police officers in May 2002. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cannabis & Hemp-
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (13-17) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In yet another sign that the world under Bush is a sad and
uncompassionate one indeed, this week DEA agents raided 13 medical
cannabis dispensaries in San Diego County, forcing critically and
chronically ill Americans back onto the black market to access their
much needed medicine. Although at the time of this writing no
arrests had been made, pounds of cannabis and thousands of
confidential medical files were seized. If anyone has ever earned
themselves a karmic case of colon cancer (or at least a chunk of
coal in his stocking!), it's this U.S. president.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Our second story is from the U.K., where Home Secretary Charles
Clarke is considering re-classifying cannabis as an arrestable
offense in light of recent suggestions that stronger strains may
lead to psychosis in some users.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Adding fuel to the debate is the case of a 70-year old diabetic
woman who was hospitalized for psychosis after using Sativex to
address neuropathic pain related to her condition, and then died
after suffering from pneumonia and kidney failure 10 weeks later.
In a surprising twist, the main critics of raising the penalties
for cannabis use are the British police forces, who fear that the
re-classification would draw resources away from their battle
against more dangerous illicit substances. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In another major story from the U.S., the government monopoly on
cannabis production was challenged this week at a hearing overseen
by a DEA administrative law judge. The challenge was initiated by a
joint UMass and MAPS lawsuit against the DEA for obstructing
legitimate cannabis-based medical research. The Washington Post
reports that a decision isn't expected for several months. Our
fourth article is an op-ed by Gina Dernik-Champion - a registered
nurse and director of the Wisconsin Nurses Association - explaining
why her organization has decided to support AB 740, the Wisconsin's
most recent medical cannabis bill. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Lastly, the story of a 27-year old Chicago police officer named
Joseph Pecora who was caught trying to sell 50lbs of cannabis in an
undercover sting. With prohibition obviously contributing to the
high rates of corruption in the nation's police forces, what a shame
that federal agents are so busy depriving medicine from sick and
suffering citizens that they have no time to police the nation's law
enforcement officers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(13) AGENTS RAID 13 MEDICAL POT DISPENSARIES IN S.D. COUNTY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Federal agents fanned out across San Diego County yesterday,
executing simultaneous search warrants on 13 medical marijuana
dispensaries. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
No one was arrested on suspicion of drug-dealing, officials said,
but three people were arrested on unrelated charges. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The agents arrived at most of the dispensaries unannounced with guns drawn, witnesses said. They handcuffed employees and ran background checks on both workers and patients. Drug-sniffing dogs searched for pot and pot-laced products, such as brownies, ice cream and butter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The raids were conducted on dispensaries in San Diego and San Marcos but quickly made news across California. Activists were worried that other dispensaries around the state would be targeted next. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(14) EXPERTS PASS THE BUCK ON REGRADING OF CANNABIS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
MINISTERS face a dilemma over the legal status of cannabis after a government review ducked the question of whether it should be reclassified and targeted with renewed priority by police. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, which has reassessed
the Government's decision of two years ago to downgrade cannabis,
has backed away from recommending that cannabis be reclassified from
a class C to a class B drug. Its report has been submitted to
Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, and he will reflect on it over
the Christmas recess before reaching a decision early next year,
according to one of his aides. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The end of the review comes as an inquest opens into the death of a
woman who had been taking part in trials of an experimental
cannabis-based drug. Rene Anderson, 70, was given Sativex to ease
symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, a generalised nerve pain in her
hands and feet, Richard Starkie, her family's solicitor, said
yesterday. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(15) FEDERAL MARIJUANA MONOPOLY CHALLENGED (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
For decades, the federal government has been the nation's only legal
producer of marijuana for medical research. Working with growers at
the University of Mississippi, the National Institute on Drug Abuse
has controlled both the quality and distribution of the drug for the
past 36 years. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
But for the first time the government's monopoly on research
marijuana is under serious legal challenge. The effort is being
spearheaded by a group that wants to produce medicines from
currently illegal psychedelic drugs and by a professor at the
University of Massachusetts who has agreed to grow marijuana for it
if the government lets him. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In a hearing due to start today before an administrative law judge
at the Drug Enforcement Administration, professor Lyle Craker and
his supporters will argue for a DEA license to grow the research
drugs. It is the climax of a decades-long effort to expand research
into marijuana and controlled drugs and of Craker's almost five-year
effort to become a competing marijuana grower. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(16) NURSES BACK MEDICAL MARIJUANA (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
It is difficult for nurses to remain silent when patients are denied
access to an effective medical treatment. That is why the Wisconsin
Nurses Association supports the medical marijuana bill authored by
Rep. Gregg Underheim (R-Oshkosh), known as AB 740.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
In taking this position, we are squarely in the mainstream of the
public health community. The American Nurses Association, the
American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Public Health
Association and the American Academy of HIV Medicine are just a few
of the health care organizations that have acknowledged that
marijuana can be a valuable treatment when used under medical
supervision. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A large body of evidence indicates that marijuana can relieve a
number of debilitating symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, certain
types of pain and the pressure inside the eye that robs glaucoma
patients of their sight. Moreover, it can do so with remarkable
safety. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Unfortunately, the issue has become shrouded in fear and myth.
Exaggerated claims and scientific misunderstandings have tended to
overshadow facts and common sense. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(17) COP NABBED IN MARIJUANA PROBE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Federal agents arrested a Chicago police officer Friday and charged
him with conspiring to sell 50 pounds of marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Joseph Pecora, 27, of Chicago appeared briefly before U.S.
Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys and was ordered held in custody
pending a bond hearing Monday. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Defense attorney Gerald Collins said he would have no immediate
comment on the case. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Federal officials said Pecora is a patrolman stationed in the 18th
District, which takes in such affluent areas as Lincoln Park and the
Gold Coast just north of downtown. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A Drug Enforcement Administration task force officer said in a
five-page affidavit attached to the complaint that a confidential
informant had led them to Pecora. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The informant said he was helping federal agents gather evidence
against another alleged dealer in suburban Bolingbook when Pecora
arrived to collect the 50 pounds of marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
International News
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (18-21) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In Australia, reverberations of the hanging of Australian citizen
Nguyen Tuong Van by the harshly prohibitionist Singaporean
government continue to be felt. Maria Sampey, Councillor from
Greater Dandenong called for a boycott of all things Singaporean,
including Singapore Airlines. This was in response to the "barbaric"
killing of Van, who had been convicted of trying to smuggle a few
kilos of heroin through a Singapore airport. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A German youth probably wishes he had personally boycotted Singapore last week, after he was jailed for six months for being caught with less than two grams of cannabis. The unlucky young man was caught with the stash in his underwear after attempting to smoke in an airplane lavatory, on a flight from Bahrain to Singapore. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Health officials in British Columbia, Canada, say Vancouver's
safe-injection site is a success, and more are needed if lives are
to be saved. Vancouver's safe-injection site, the first in North
America, receives over 600 visits a day. Over 200 overdoses have
occurred there in since the site opened in 2003, yet no deaths.
According to The Province newspaper, only 10% of nearby heroin
addicts use the site. "[T]here's probably room for more" such sites,
says B.C. provincial health officer Perry Kendall.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
What do you do after you're the drug czar for Sri Lanka? If you're
Dr E.K. Rodrigo, you end up running a government drug treatment
center in Bermuda, espousing the legalization of all drugs. We
finish this week's international drug news roundup with an excellent
interview of Dr Rodrigo given by the Bermuda Sun. There Dr Rodrigo
outlines the case for ending drug prohibition. Coming from a former
drug czar and director of a drug treatment center, we can only hope
his reasonable words will be heard by those who might not otherwise
listen. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(18) BOYCOTT AFTER VAN HANGING (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A GREATER Dandenong councillor said she would never again fly with
Singapore Airlines or buy Singaporean products following the
"barbaric" execution of convicted drug smuggler Nguyen Tuong Van
last week. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
"I think that the punishment does not fit the crime," she said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"I will not be flying Singapore Airlines for the rest of my life,
and will be telling family members not to buy anything to do with
Singapore."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(19) POTTY JOCK TEEN JAILED (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
SINGAPORE - A German teenager has been jailed for six months after
he was caught with marijuana hidden in his jocks on a flight into
Singapore. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ray Sebastian Nantwi Lutzenkirchen, 19, was arrested upon arrival in the city-state for smoking in a plane toilet on a flight from Bahrain on December 2, the Straits Times newspaper said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Police searching him found 1.53 grams of marijuana hidden in his
underwear, the paper said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Lutzenkirchen pleaded guilty and was sentenced yesterday, the paper
said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(20) SAFE-INJECTION SITES A SUCCESS, SAYS OFFICIAL (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Pilot Program: We Need More, Adds Drug Policy CO-Ordinator | ||||||||||||||||||||||
It's time to make safe-injection sites part of B.C.'s health-care
system, says provincial health officer Perry Kendall. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Two years after Vancouver's safe-injection-site opened, Kendall has
ruled the experiment a success. The Downtown Eastside facility is
reducing overdoses, preventing HIV and hepatitis C infections and
getting drug addicts into treatment, Kendall says. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The pilot program at 139 East Hastings, which opened in September 2003, is North America's first supervised-injection facility. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Kendall said most of the 6,000 IV-drug users in the Downtown
Eastside are currently shooting up on the street. Only one in 10 use
the site daily, and "there's probably room for more."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Donald MacPherson, the city's drug-policy co-ordinator, sees the need for at least one or two more sites in the Downtown Eastside. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
* The safe-injection site gets 630 daily visits, or 18,000 a month.
That's up from the 588 per day in 2004. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* There are 12 booths and a public-health nurse on duty. The average
visit lasts 20 minutes. There have been at least 200 overdoses but
no deaths. More than 1,000 people have been referred this year to
addiction counselling services. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(21) LET'S TALK ABOUT A REVOLUTION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
For decades the world has ploughed billions of dollars - and
countless man-hours - into a so-called 'war' on drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
But the problem now is worse than it has ever been. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
We spoke to Dr E.K. Rodrigo, who runs the Government's only drug
treatment centre - Turning Point, about his personal views on an
alternative approach to the international drug problem. Dr. Rodrigo
is a psychiatrist with more than 30 years' experience in Sri Lanka,
the U.K. and Bermuda.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
The doctor, formerly Sri Lanka's drug tsar, believes it's time to
think out of the box. We talked to him about legalisation of all
drugs, teaching people better ways to be relaxed and happy and the
two most dangerous drugs of all - alcohol and tobacco. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Q. Which drugs represent the biggest problem?
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Alcohol and tobacco are the biggest problems but the focus is
always on illegal drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Usually you ask people - what do you think is the biggest problem? They will say heroin or cocaine - this is far, far from the truth. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Illegal drugs are a comparatively minor problem in terms of health.
If you take substance use and related disorders the illicit drug
relation to morbidity and mortality is minimal. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. The centuries old drug war has failed.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Billions of dollars have gone into the anti-drug war and it has
brought only huge criminal organizations. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
When you have poured in money for a century surely it is time for
you to decide it is not working. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ideally you would have a situation where all drugs were legal but
people did not take them. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Q. How would they be sold and supplied?
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
I imagine it would work in the same way as alcohol. People would
apply for a licence to sell cannabis, coke and heroin. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
If you legalize drugs, with each drug say 'this is what it will do'.
If you give people the advantages and the disadvantages they have
the skill to make a decision. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Some people would still take drugs - yes. But how many people actually chose not to take drugs because they are illegal? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
If you have an educated population people can make an informed
choice. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Legalizing drugs would make them cheaper and less exciting - they
would lose their mystique. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
PROTESTORS RALLY OVER MEDICAL MARIJUANA CRACKDOWN
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
DEA Raids Spark Rally In Front Of Courthouse
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
CULTURAL BAGGAGE RADIO SHOW
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
ALLIANCE CONFERENCE OPENING PLENARY
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ethan Nadelmann's opening comments at the recent Drug Policy Alliance
conference in Long Beach, CA are available for download [MP3]. Ethan
was introduced by Alliance president Ira Glasser.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
http://www.drugpolicy.org/docUploads/dpaConf2005_OpeningPlenary_111005.mp3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
You can subscribe to our podcast to receive additional audio available
from the Alliance - instructions are found here. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
ONE YEAR LATER - NEW YORK DRUG LAW REFORM REPORT
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
A year after partial reform of New York's draconian Rockefeller Drug
Laws, a new report released on December 14 by The Legal Aid Society
finds hundreds eligible for early release under the new provisions
remain behind bars. Only 30 percent of A-1 felons who qualify for
re-sentencing have been released under the new guidelines, the report
shows. A fact sheet on the report is also available.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
CANNABIS EXPERIMENT HELPED KILL OAP, SAYS CORONER
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
By Times Online and PA News
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
The family of a woman who died in hospital after developing mental
problems while taking an experimental cannabis-based treatment today
called for trials of the drug to be stopped. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The call came after a coroner decided that a reaction to the drug Sativex was at least a "significant contributory factor" in the development of the illness which killed 69-year-old Rene Anderson. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
NEW ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUG INCREASES 'BRAIN'S OWN CANNABIS'
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Researchers have discovered a new drug that raises the level of
endocannabinoids--the 'brain's own cannabis'--providing anti-depressant
effects. The new research published in this week's Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), suggests the new drug, called
URB597, could represent a safer alternative to cannabis for the
treatment of pain and depression, and open the door to new and improved
treatments for clinical depression--a condition that affects around 20%
of Canadians. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-12/mu-nad121305.php | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
WHAT YOU CAN DO THIS WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
DONATE
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Your generous contributions have made drug policy reform an
important issue on the political agenda. Your support has given
voice to alternative viewpoints on how to handle what are currently
illegal drugs in our society, and your gifts will bring these ideas
to reality in the future. Please visit
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Due to the generosity of a long time DrugSense funder, we have secured a matching funds grant! This means that anything you contribute to DrugSense and the Media Awareness Project will be matched, thus doubling the effective amount of your contribution. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Again, Please visit http://www.drugsense.org/donate/ to make a contribution. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. Your donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Thank you for supporting DrugSense/MAP. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark Greer, Executive Director
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
LETTER OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
DRUG WAR A FAILURE
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
By Howard J. Wooldridge
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
After 35 years of drug war, a half trillion dollars spent and tens
of thousands of Americans killed, you correctly describe a terrible
world filled with the violence and death of drug prohibition. After
35 years of going backwards ( drugs are cheaper and stronger than
ever ), how many decades of drug dealers saturating Durham with
their destruction are you proposing the people endure and suffer and
pay for?
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Editor's note: The writer is an education specialist in the organization Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, Washington, D.C. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
HOWARD J. WOOLDRIDGE, Frederick, Md.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
LETTER WRITER OF THE MONTH - NOVEMBER (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
DrugSense recognizes Bruce Mirken of San Francisco for his two published letters during November, which brings his total published letters that we know of up to 133. Bruce is the Director of Communications for the Marijuana Policy Project http://www.mpp.org | ||||||||||||||||||||||
You may read his published letters at:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Bruce has also had seven OPEDs published. You may read all his
writings that we know of at:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) What Message Are We Sending To The Children? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
By Pete Guither
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Here's a request for input from all of you. One of the most annoying
tricks used by drug prohibitionists is the old "What message would
that send to the children?" used in opposition to any drug policy
reform, usually when the facts are against them. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
I would like to put together a page of actual messages that we send
to children by continuing prohibition as it exists. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Things like... | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* "Lying is OK when adults are talking about drugs." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* "Our interest in what's good for the family is less important than
our desire to punish."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
* "If you make a mistake regarding drug use, we'd rather have you die from it than have information that might save your life." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* "If you make a mistake regarding drug use, we're going to make
sure that your friends are too afraid to get help that might save
you."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
* "If you're going to use drugs, we want to make sure that you get them from a criminal, with uncertain purity and dosage." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* "We're really hoping that heroin addicts will get HIV and
hepatitis from shared needles and die. That's why we won't allow
needle exchange."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
* "You have no rights. We can come and test your blood or your urine or search you whenever we feel like it. You're property." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* "We use sick people as a tool for our political purposes. We don't care whether they are in pain or die from a lack of medicine." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* "We sit in Washington drinking martinis and thinking up ways to
destroy the lives of kids who like to smoke pot."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
* "We'll destroy the livelihoods of poor farmers and decimate their crops in order to make the drug dealers and drug warriors richer." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In comments, add your own, or adjust the wording of some that I've
given. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Pete Guither is the author of Drug WarRant - www.drugwarrant.com - a
weblog at the front lines of the drug war. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Please take a moment to visit Mr. Guither's blog,
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Everything secret degenerates, even the administration of justice;
nothing is safe that does not show how it can bear discussion and
publicity." -- Lord Acton
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
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
Jo-D Harrison (), 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 |