| Feb. 17, 2006 #437 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Table of Contents
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THIS JUST IN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) PROPOSAL TO CRACK DOWN ON PREGNANT DRUG USERS GATHERS STEAM (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
BOISE - The fight to curb Idaho's meth problem stepped into uncharted
territory Wednesday: The wombs of pregnant mothers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A proposal that would make it a felony offense for a pregnant woman to
take certain drugs passed a legislative committee despite the concerns
of pediatricians who fear the get-tough measure could lead to more
abortions and less pre-natal care. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
But proponents of the effort to crack down on meth use in Idaho say the
current system fails to address mothers who put their unborn children
at high risk through their own illicit behavior. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
What would we do if we found out a 2-year-old or 8-year-old child had
been given meth? asked Cassia County Prosecutor Al Barrus. We would go
ballistic. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
We don't want a bill just to send people to jail - we want healthy
babies. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
If passed by the Legislature, the so-called meth moms bill would mean pregnant mothers convicted of using marijuana, LSD, methamphetamine or other drugs could face up to five years in jail and a $50,000 penalty. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(2) TOUGHER POT PENALTY IS OPPOSED (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A proposal to toughen the city's penalty for marijuana possession met firm resistance Tuesday from residents and some Council members. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Saying that Ohio has the most lax marijuana laws in the nation and that
local police need more tools to combat drugs, Councilman Cecil Thomas
proposed stiffer penalties for marijuana possession. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
But Councilmen Jim Tarbell and David Crowley said they would not
support the measure, echoing a chorus of citizens who attended a
meeting of Council's Law and Public Safety Committee. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Whatever energy we have, we need to put it into more glaring
problems," Tarbell said, emphasizing that former Councilman David
Pepper made a similar proposal in August that failed for lack of
support. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"There was absolutely no conspicuous support from this community,"
Tarbell said of Pepper's measure. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
That was also the case Tuesday for Thomas' proposal. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"I see drug dealers down there all the time," said Susan Frances of
Over-the-Rhine. "They're not dealing marijuana." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The city needs to concentrate on more serious crime, she said.
"Marijuana is a peaceful drug," she asserted. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(3) POT POSSESSION DECRIMINALIZATION BILL APPROVED BY LEGISLATIVE PANEL (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Setting up a conflict with the Romney administration, lawmakers on
Monday advanced a longstanding Beacon Hill proposal to decriminalize
the possession of enough marijuana for teens to roll dozens of joints.
Approved 6-1 by the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee, the
proposal would change the penalty for possessing marijuana to a $250
civil fine for anyone caught with less than an ounce of the drug,
regardless of age. In addition, parents of those 18 years and younger
would be notified of the infraction. Currently, someone convicted of
such an offense can be sent to jail for up to six months for the crime
and pay a $500 fine for a first offense. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
According to Lea Palleria Cox of Concerned Citizens for Drug Prevention
Inc. and a bill opponent, an ounce of marijuana equals roughly 57
joints. The issue has been a source of contention for years in the
Legislature, with the late Sen. Charles Shannon as its biggest
advocate. Lawmakers in the past have included a similar provision in
the budget, only to have it vetoed by former Acting Gov. Jane Swift.
Gov. Mitt Romney is also a likely opponent to the proposal; Lt. Gov.
Kerry Healey has expressed her opposition to proposal, saying it could
treat marijuana lightly under the law, and Romney's spokesman said
lawmakers should remain tough on drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Governor Romney believes we should enforce the laws against drugs, and that we be should be careful not to suggest that we are softening our view on marijuana use," Eric Fehrnstrom, Romney's director of communications, said in a statement. "It is important that we continue to send a message to young people that drugs are bad for you." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
But advocates of decriminalization say the 11 other states that have taken a similar path, including California, New York, and Nebraska, have seen no negative affects, and point to the results of non-binding ballot questions in 2000, 2002, and 2004 when 63 percent of voters supported the initiative in 19 Massachusetts legislative districts. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(4) NEW LAWYER, NEW STRATEGY FOR KUBBY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Judge Switch Requested For Medical Pot Advocate | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A new legal team representing medical marijuana activist Steve Kubby
appeared in an Auburn courtroom Wednesday requesting their client's
case be heard by Judge John Cosgrove. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cosgrove presided over the original jury trial in which Kubby, 59, was
sentenced in 2000 to 120 days jail time for possession of psilocybin
and mescaline. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"What I want to do for Steve is have the case sent back to Cosgrove for
a complete felony sentencing to occur," said Kubby's new attorney David
Nick in a telephone interview. Nick did not appear in court, instead
sending a representative. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Nick said that during the original case Cosgrove reduced the psilocybin
charge to a misdemeanor. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Cosgrove agreed with me on the motion and sentenced (Kubby) to 12 days. We believe the sentence was an act of judicial balancing." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Kubby faced a jury trial in which he was convicted of possession of psilocybin and mescaline and sentenced as a felon by Cosgrove. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Chris Cattran, deputy district attorney prosecuting the case, said
Cosgrove's decision was appealed and the appellate court agreed with
the prosecution and reinstated the charge as a felony. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"(Kubby) doesn't have to be re-sentenced," Cattran told the court
Wednesday. "We're here on a violation of probation." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Judge Robert McElhaney told the defense Wednesday that Cosgrove has
since retired and the matter will be revisited at 8:30 a.m. Friday in
Dept. 13 of Placer County Superior Court. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (5-8) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
More analysis of recent drug use statistics appears to show that
girls are beginning to use drugs at a higher rate than boys. If it's
true, it's no surprise, as the drug war continues to work its magic
and make problems worse. Also in the "saving the kids" department
this week: anti-drug advocates praise kids for turning parents into
police; while elsewhere parents clamour for drug tests for teachers.
At least some of the young people themselves seem to understand
what's going on, as students at a Texas University follow the lead
of students in Colorado who organized votes to show support for
reduced cannabis penalties on campus. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(5) TEEN GIRLS USING PILLS, SMOKING MORE THAN BOYS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Government's Findings Counter Overall Decline | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Teenage girls, having caught up to their male counterparts in
illegal drug use and alcohol consumption, now have the dubious
distinction of surpassing boys in smoking and prescription drug
abuse. In the past two years, in fact, more young women than men
started using marijuana, alcohol and cigarettes, according to
government findings being released today. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The results are doubly disturbing, researchers said, because they
run counter to trends indicating an overall decline in teenage drug
use and because young women appear to suffer more serious health
consequences as a result. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"It's really sad the girls are winning," said Warren Seigel,
chairman of pediatrics at Brooklyn's Coney Island Hospital. "This
isn't the game they should be winning at." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Adolescent girls who smoke, drink or take drugs are at a higher risk
of depression, addiction and stunted growth. And because substance
abuse often goes hand in hand with risky sexual behavior, they are
more likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease or become
pregnant, warns the White House Office of National Drug Control
Policy, which will announce its findings in New York. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The new analysis is based on the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use
and Health, which interviewed members of 70,000 households.
Conducted annually by the federal government since 1971, the survey
is a highly regarded, detailed look at adult and teenage behaviors
over three decades. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(6) TURNING IN PARENTS TAKES 'GUTS' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
It's a rare act of courage when children turn their drug-using
parents in to police, says an expert on children from troubled
homes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"It takes a lot of guts because a child really doesn't know what is
going to happen," said Connie Freking, youth service department
director for the Brighton Center, a multi-program social service
agency headquartered in Newport. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"It also takes a lot of love. I don't think a child's first thought
is that the parents may go to jail. The first thought is, 'They need
help. We need help. I need help.' In the long run, they're looking
out for their family's best interest." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
She said in her 10 years at Brighton Center, she could recall only four or five cases of children taking such an extreme step. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The latest was Friday in Boone County. A 16-year-old boy told his
high school resource police officer about his parents' home-based
marijuana growing operation, and Boone County Sheriff's Department
deputies arrested his parents at their Hebron home. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(7) SOME HAVERHILL PARENTS SUGGEST DRUG TESTS FOR TEACHERS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
HAVERHILL - Prison guards, school bus drivers and airline pilots are
required to undergo drug tests as a condition of employment. So why
not teachers? That's the question some local parents are asking
following the arrest recently of a teacher's aide at Bradford
Elementary School for illegal possession of marijuana and
prescription drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"With a lot of employers, people expect there will be a drug test
before they are even hired," said Sandy Farmer, a member of the
Bradford Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"You're taking someone's child into your care; there should be some
type of program put in place," said Jennifer Morgan, president of
the Bradford PTO. In Massachusetts, The Education Reform Act of 1993
requires school districts to do criminal background checks on all
employees. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A drug test, some parents and school officials said, is a natural
next step, especially considering that criminal background checks
confirm only if a prospective employee has been arrested, and only
if the arrest was in Massachusetts. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(Drug Test)
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(8) UT GROUP FIGHTS POT PENALTY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Marijuana Rules Should Be Same As for Alcohol, Which Is Deadlier, It
Says | ||||||||||||||||||||||
AUSTIN Students at the University of Texas at Austin are asking
administrators to ease campus penalties on smoking pot and put them
on par with alcohol offenses, saying the school has a responsibility
to discourage alcohol-related deaths by taking the stand that
marijuana is the safer choice. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"If our elected officials in Texas want to impose harsh penalties
for the use of marijuana, that is their decision, but the university
does not have to pile on," said graduate student Judie Niskala, 25,
who coordinated a referendum effort on campus and runs Texas NORML,
which works to liberalize marijuana laws. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (9-12) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
This week's news seems disturbingly familiar, with some interesting twists. The drug war has corrupted another branch of law enforcement: this time it's federal air marshals. Big brother has arrived in a small town North Carolina in the form of an aerial drone. Public officials in Texas have figured out how to squeeze more personal benefits out of prison labor. And on the positive side, a judge has ruled in favor of a tobacco store owner in Massachusetts who was accused of selling drug paraphernalia. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(9) TWO AIR MARSHALS ACCUSED OF DRUG SMUGGLING (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
HOUSTON - Two U.S. air marshals face federal drug charges accusing them of using their positions to smuggle narcotics through airport security and onto planes for transport, federal prosecutors said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Shawn Ray Nguyen, 38, and Burlie L. Sholar III, 32, both of Houston,
were arrested Thursday after an informant delivered 33 pounds of
cocaine and $15,000 in "up front money" to Nguyen's Houston home,
authorities said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"We expect and demand that our law enforcement officials will
themselves abide by the laws that they are sworn to uphold," said
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Don DeGabrielle. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
According to a criminal complaint, authorities began investigating
Nguyen in November after receiving a tip that he was involved in
selling drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(10) CYBERBUG GIVES POLICE EYE IN THE SKY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
$30,000 Unmanned Aircraft To Be Used For Aerial Surveillance | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Its makers say it is a crime-fighting tool for the 21st century. The
Gaston County Police department says it's almost as good as having a
helicopter at a fraction of the cost. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
But the true test for Gaston County's unmanned aerial vehicle will
come in a month, when officers put their $30,000 Cyberbug in the air
for the first time. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
County commissioners approved the unmanned aircraft last month. The
funding comes from drug-asset forfeiture money, and police say the
unmanned vehicle could become indispensable. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Assistant Police Chief Jeff Isenhour, who researched getting an
unmanned vehicle for several months, said the Cyberbug will be
equipped with a low-light and an infrared camera that can spot drug
fields from over 100 yards in the air. It can help police keep large
gatherings from getting out of hand, he said, and even find children
lost in the woods. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(11) PERKS OF PUBLIC OFFICE: PRISON FURNITURE A STEAL | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Critics Fault Officials' Exclusive Deal With Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||||||
AUSTIN - When Sen. Eddie Lucio built his South Texas dream home in
2003, he chose an unusual place to shop for furniture: Texas
prisons. For the dining room, inmates fashioned a table with the
state seal on it, 10 chairs and six bar stools. For a private
chapel, they constructed four kneelers, 12 chairs, a holy water font
and two altar chairs. Total cost: $6,319. "I liked the idea of
getting things done handcrafted and by prisoners," said Mr. Lucio, a
Democrat. "That is unique. It is a subject of conversation when
people come visit me. I say, 'I ordered it from our own prisoners
here.' " | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Lucio is one of dozens of lawmakers to buy items over the last
three years from Texas Correctional Industries, a division of the
state prison system that manufactures, among other things,
furniture, signs and clothing. It gives inmates a chance to develop
a trade or skill and saves state agencies money because, with no
labor costs, items sell for far less than those from private
businesses. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(12) TOBACCO SHOP OWNER WINS LATEST ROUND (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A Pembroke tobacco shop, under fire for selling what police regard
as drug paraphernalia, has been handed a favorable court ruling.
Karen Brennan Fontana, owner of Brennan's Smoke Shop on Church
Street, said Pembroke police "picked the wrong shop" to target in
enforcing the state's drug paraphernalia law. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"This is my livelihood, and I'm not doing anything wrong," said Fontana. "They're portraying me as a head shop, and I am not. I'm a legitimate smoke shop." She added, "I'm not going anywhere." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
On Jan. 30, an assistant clerk magistrate in Plymouth District court ruled that Pembroke police had not met the criteria for establishing that the smoke shop was in violation of the 1998 drug paraphernalia law when items were seized in a police raid three months ago. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (13-16) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In upsetting news for critically and chronically ill patients in New
Mexico, a bill that would have legalized the medical use of cannabis
has now been tabled by the House Agriculture and Water Resource
Committee, effectively killing it. Although already approved by the
state Senate, the bill still needed to be voted on by the House
before it could become law. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In Massachusetts, a decrim bill that would make possession of less
than one ounce a civil offense punishable by a $250 fine has been
approved by the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee. The
Committee voted 6-1 in favor of the controversial bill, which still
needs to be passed by the House, Senate, and finally by Governor
Mitt Romney. Our third story this week is a comprehensive column by
Fred Gardner illustrating the many contributions of Dr. Tod Mikuriya
to California's medical cannabis movement, as well as his continued
persecution by the Medical Board of California. And also from
California this week, the city of San Marcos may become the first
municipality in San Diego County to make the distribution of medical
cannabis illegal. If the city council approves the motion, the law
would still have to go to a public hearing before it could be
implemented. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(13) MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL TABLED BY HOUSE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Rep. Joseph Cervantes, R-Las Cruces, alleged that a medical marijuana bill that passed earlier this session in the Senate was sent to the House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee to die. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
And that's exactly what happened Saturday. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The committee tabled the bill on a 4-3 decision, with Committee
Chairman Joe Stell, D-Carlsbad, casting the deciding vote. By
tabling the bill, the committee will prevent it from advancing to
the House floor for a vote | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Why are you trying to kill us," Essie DeBonet wailed after the
committee's decision. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
DeBonet identified herself as a 61-year-old AIDS patient dealing
with constant nausea. She said use of medical marijuana allows her
to keep down the food she needs to stay alive. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(14) COMMITTEE BACKS EASING OF MARIJUANA POSSESSION PENALTIES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Possession of less than an ounce of marijuana would no longer be a
criminal offense under a bill that won the backing of a legislative
committee yesterday. The bill, approved by the Mental Health and
Substance Abuse Committee on a 6-1 vote, would make possession of a
small amount of marijuana a civil offense punishable by a $250 fine.
In cases involving those 18 years old or younger, parents would be
notified. Possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is now
considered a criminal offense, punishable by up to six months in
jail and a $500 fine for the first offense. Senator Steven A.
Tolman, a Brighton Democrat and the cochairman of the committee,
said the goal is to make sure that someone arrested with a small
amount of marijuana doesn't have a criminal record that could make
it difficult to get into college, obtain student loans, and find a
job. Critics of the bill say it could encourage the use of marijuana
by easing some of the social stigma attached to it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(15) DR. MIKURIYA'S APPEAL (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Led by doctors who learned nothing about cannabis in medical school
and never employed it in clinical practice, the Medical Board of
California decided in April 2004 to discipline the state's leading
authority on the subject. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Tod Mikuriya, MD, was put on probation for five years, subjected to
supervision by a "practice monitor," and fined $75,000 for the cost
of his own prosecution. Instead of accepting the punishment,
Mikuriya, 74, a Berkeley-based psychiatrist, has gone to great
expense to appeal in Superior Court. "It's the principle of the
thing," he says without irony. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The lawyer now handling Mikuriya's appeal, Scott Candell, expected
to get a ruling Feb. 10 from Sacramento Superior Court Judge Judy
Holzer Hersher. On the eve of the ruling Candell said he was
hopeful, not just because the Board's punishment of Mikuriya seemed
outrageous as he reviewed the record, but because he had drawn a
judge with a pro-patient perspective. Literally -it was Holzer
Hersher who upheld the one-nurse-to-five-patient staffing ratio last
year when Gov. Schwarzenegger, on behalf of California hospital
owners, was pushing for one-to-six. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
It would be hard to overstate the importance of Mikuriya's
contributions to the modern medical marijuana movement. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(16) SAN MARCOS TO CONSIDER BAN ON MEDICAL POT VENDORS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The City Council will consider Tuesday outlawing the distribution of
medical marijuana in San Marcos, which would make it the first city
in San Diego County to enact such a ban. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
City officials said they proposed the law after discovering last year a business selling medical marijuana off Rancho Santa Fe Road. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Legal Ease Inc. dispensary, across from Alvin Dunn Elementary
School, is the only medical marijuana distribution center in North
County, and city officials said they were concerned it violated
federal law and created health and safety problems for the
surrounding community. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Our recommendation is to just say no to medical marijuana
dispensaries," said Helen Holmes Peak, city attorney. "The position
we believe is most consistent with both state and federal law is
that dispensaries of this type be prohibited." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Officials with Legal Ease, which has three offices in San Diego County, said their business is legal and should be allowed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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International News | ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (17-22) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In Indonesia, the so-called "Bali Nine," Australians who
attempted to smuggle heroin through Bali have been condemned to
death and life in prison. If they follow the executions of
other foreigners executed in Indonesia for drugs, the two
condemned to death will be grabbed from prison without warning,
frog-marched to a deserted beach, and shot. Observers expect
this to exacerbate already tense relations between Australia
and Indonesia. Australia has done away with the death penalty,
while Indonesia is fond of executing foreigners, especially for
drug crimes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Whenever any lightening of any drug law is proposed, prohibitionists
cry bloody murder and legalization. Children, scream drug warriors,
will be given dope, and dealers will rejoice. UK Home Secretary
Charles Clarke proposed that a threshold amount of drugs be
established, under which a person in mere possession of drugs would
not automatically be charged with dealing. But staunchly punitive
Scottish police chiefs will have none of that, claiming that the
proposed minimum non-dealing amounts are a "license to operate" for
dealers. Governments, always zealous to increase punishments for
petty amounts of drugs, abandon even modest reforms when presented
with opposition from officials with a vested interest in
prohibition. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In Canada, former Conservative MP Randy White of Abbotsford, British
Columbia has swung from his position as prohibitionist politician to
head a prohibitionist network called the "Drug Prevention Network of
Canada" DPNOC "opposes the legalization of drugs." Formed "to oppose
legalization of drugs, and to support the UN conventions and
treaties concerning drugs and psycho tropic substances," such
non-governmental organizations should find an ally in Canada's
newly-elected conservative government. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In Manila, Philippines, politically correct onlookers were shocked,
shocked at an open-air meth-market near the Pasig police
headquarters. Some 26 police were fired almost immediately in the
wake of a massive sweep of ramshackle housing and stalls in the
area. The sweep netted over 300 people, though later police
recommended about 100 be released after negative drug tests. The
area, described as a "drug den" or "shabu bazaar," and comprised
about 50 "shanties" where families lived, was leveled this week.
Grandstanding Manila politicians weren't to be cheated of an
opportunity for publicity. "We are demolishing the shanties to
symbolize our seriousness in stamping out the drug menace in Pasig,"
crowed Mayor Vicente Eusebio. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(17) BALI NINE EXECUTIONS IN THE WILDERNESS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran will die grim, lonely deaths if
their appeals to live are refused. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Chan, 22, and Sukumaran, 24, were sentenced to death on Tuesday
after being convicted as the leaders of the Bali Nine drug ring that
last year tried to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin through Bali's Denpasar
airport strapped to the bodies of four "mules". | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The other seven members of the ring have been sentenced to life
imprisonment. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Chan and Sukumaran will be taken from their cells with the minimum
of warning, driven to a deserted beach or jungle clearing and shot
without ceremony by a firing squad. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
No one will be told in advance of the date or time of their
executions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(18) BALI SENTENCES STOKE TENSIONS WITH INDONESIA (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
CANBERRA - Australia was last night bracing itself for more tension
with Indonesia following the death sentences handed down to two Bali
Nine ringleaders and the life sentences that will possibly see the
other ring members die in Indonesian jails. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The death sentences are likely to inflame outrage in Australia,
where anger and condemnation of the Indonesian justice system over
the 20-year term imposed on Gold Cost cannabis smuggler Schapelle
Corby strained relations between Jakarta and Canberra. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
During Corby's trial and the aftermath Australian fury was attacked
by Indonesia as interference in its domestic affairs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Australia further rubbed Asian nerves with public anger and vain official appeals for clemency after Singapore last December hanged another Australian heroin smuggler, Thai-born Van Tuong Nguyen. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Although careful not to condone drug traffickers, major Australian
newspapers yesterday expressed shock at the severity of the life
terms handed down on Lawrence and Rush, with headlines declaring "No
mercy" above pictures of a tearful Lawrence. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(19) SCOTS POLICE CHIEFS FORCE HOME SECRETARY TO DITCH NEW DRUG LAWS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
THE Home Secretary is set to abandon controversial changes to UK
drug laws after warnings by Scottish police chiefs that they would
give street dealers a "licence to operate". | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The proposals, unveiled by Charles Clarke in November, aimed for the
first time to set a threshold on the quantity of drugs that an
individual can claim is for their own use. Over that amount, courts
and juries would be invited to assume that there was an intention to
deal. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
However, in what will be a major embarrassment to Clarke, Scotland's
most senior police officers and drug squad teams are to write to the
Home Secretary this month to warn that he risks letting dealers off
the hook. The wealth of opposition by police and drug experts north
and south of the Border now looks certain to force a rethink of the
plans. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(20) FORMER MP HEADS NATIONAL DRUG PREVENTION NETWORK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Canada has a serious drug problem, but the approach authorities have
taken to counter it isn't working, according to Randy White,
president of the Drug Prevention Network of Canada. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Health Canada is not helping out at all, and they are walking away
from education, treatment and enforcement," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"The emphasis today is to accommodate the problem and that inevitably will lead to more problems, not solutions," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The DPNOC was formed last June to act as the Canadian arm of the
Drug Prevention Network of America. It supports abstinence-free drug
and alcohol treatment and recovery programs, and opposes the
legalization of drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"Our network organization is growing and we expect to influence
solutions to our drug problems in a positive way around the world,"
said White, who was named president during the recent federal
election campaign. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
to oppose legalization of drugs, and to support the UN conventions and treaties concerning drugs and psycho tropic substances. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(21) PASIG COP CHIEF, 6 PDEA MEN AXED OVER SHABU BUST (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
THE PASIG City police chief and six members of the Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in charge of eastern Metro Manila were
sacked in the widening fallout from last week's police raid on a
colony of shabu dens in Pasig City. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Metro Manila police chief Director Vidal Querol said last night he
had ordered the relief of Senior Superintendent Raul Medina for
command responsibility and for not being able to prevent "one of the
biggest embarrassments" to the police. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The sacking of Medina and the six PDEA agents brought to 26 the
number of people axed in the wake of the discovery on Friday of a
community of drug dens a few hundred meters away from the Pasig
police headquarters. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Police yesterday filed charges against most of the 313 arrested in
the raid, while recommending the release of 99 others. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Director Marcelo Ele of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations
Task Force said the 99 recommended for release included those who
tested negative for shabu traces. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"The sad part is the presence during the raid of grandparents, young
professionals, children and members of affluent families from
outside of Pasig City," Ele said. "This is a clear indication that
the place is a well-known drug enclave but was surprisingly
sustained to operate clandestinely for years." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(22) SHABU COMPOUND IN PASIG LEVELED (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
MORE than 50 shanties making up the shabu bazaar in Pasig City were
torn down by crews from city hall Wednesday. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"We are demolishing the shanties to symbolize our seriousness in
stamping out the drug menace in Pasig," Mayor Vicente Eusebio
declared as he watched the demolition of 53 huts inside the Mapayapa
Compound in Barangay Santo Tomas. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Anti-Illegal Drugs-Special Operating Task Force (AID-SOTF),
which raided the place last Saturday, was not impressed. It is
considering suing Eusebio for destroying evidence. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Even shanties along the sidewalk in front of the compound were torn
down. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ambrosio Sumadiya, 59, and his three children, who had been living
under a plywood lean-to in front of the compound, said he had no
place to go and that his 12-year-old daughter would be graduating
this March. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
THE TRUTH ABOUT DRUG HYSTERIA | ||||||||||||||||||||||
By Marsha Rosenbaum, AlterNet. Posted February 14, 2006. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The James Frey fiasco is not the first time accounts, descriptions or
even research about drugs have been sensationalized or fabricated and
proven false. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
CULTURAL BAGGAGE RADIO SHOW | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Listen Live Fridays 8:00 PM, ET, 7:00 CT, 6:00 MT & 5:00 PT at
http://www.kpft.org/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
THE WAR ON MARIJUANA | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Transformation Of The War On Drugs In The 1990S | ||||||||||||||||||||||
By Ryan S. King, Marc Mauer | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Harm Reduction Journal | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The study found that since 1990, the primary focus of the war on drugs
has shifted to low-level marijuana offenses. During the study period,
82% of the increase in drug arrests nationally (450,000) was for
marijuana offenses, and virtually all of that increase was in
possession offenses. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/pdf/1477-7517-3-6.pdf | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
DRUG POSSESSION FOR PERSONAL USE IS NOT A CRIME, ARGENTINE COURT RULES | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In a decision that could bring the question of whether drug possession is legal or not in Argentina to that country's Supreme Court, a judge in the in the province of Buenos Aires has ruled that a tough provincial law penalizing drug possession violates the South American republic's constitution. Penalizing drug possession for personal use is barred under the constitution's privacy provisions, Court of Guarantees Judge Luis Estaban Nitti ruled in the last week of January. A second provincial judge has since followed in Nitti's footsteps. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
A BETTER STRATEGY AGAINST NARCOTERRORISM | ||||||||||||||||||||||
By Vanda Felbab-Brown, AlterNet. Posted February 14, 2006. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Our current anti-drug tactics are undermining government
stabilization, the war on terrorism and even the anti-drug tactics
themselves. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
WHAT YOU CAN DO THIS WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
HELP SAFER LAUNCH COLORADO SIGNATURE DRIVE | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Today, Colorado state officials approved the petition for the
SAFER-supported statewide marijuana initiative. This means they will
soon kick off the most challenging part of the legalization campaign --
collecting 100,000 signatures from voters registered in Colorado. They
need your help to accomplish this goal. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Please visit -- http://www.SAFERColorado.org/ -- to volunteer for the
campaign and/or to make a financial contribution. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
JOIN US FOR "HOW TO INCREASE DRUG POLICY REFORM IN YOUR LOCAL MEDIA" | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Thu. February 23 /06, 08:00 p.m. ET, Presented by DrugSense and MAP | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Join leading hearts and minds from the drug policy reform movement as we discuss ways to write Letters to the Editor that get printed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
LETTER OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
MONUMENTAL WASTE | ||||||||||||||||||||||
By Howard J. Wooldridge | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Re: Whatever happened to the pot debate? Thomas Barker, Barking at
the Big Dog, Houston Today, Jan. 25 - Yet another marijuana grow-op
busted near Hungry Hill. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
I heartily agree with your article on the monumental waste of police time chasing the Willie Nelsons of the world and their suppliers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In Alaska simple possession of up to four ounces in the privacy of
one's little castle has been legal for over two years. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
There has been a thundering silence of problems associated with that legalization. As a retired police officer, I applaud Alaska's law. Marijuana prohibition is a horrible waste of good police time. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In my 18 years of police experience I was dispatched to zero calls
for service generated by the use of marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Officer Howard J. Wooldridge ( retired ) Education Specialist, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition ( www.leap.cc ) Washington, D.C. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
LETTER WRITER OF THE MONTH - JANUARY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
DrugSense recognizes Allan Erickson of Eugene, Oregon for his four
published letters during January, which brings his total published
letters that we know of to 59. We note that one was printed in the
Los Angeles Times Sunday Magazine section, with a circulation of
over 1.2 million copies. Allan creatively uses an authoritative
signature, Drug Policy Forum of Oregon, an email discussion forum,
which was printed in two of the letters. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
You may read his published letters at: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Conservative Nonsense In The War On Drugs | ||||||||||||||||||||||
By Jacob G. Hornberger | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Conservatives never cease to fascinate me, given their professed devotion to "freedom, free enterprise, and limited government" and their ardent support of policies that violate that principle. One of the most prominent examples is the drug war. In fact, if you're ever wondering whether a person is a conservative or a libertarian, a good litmus-test question is, How do you feel about the war on drugs? The conservative will respond, "Even though I believe in freedom, free enterprise, and limited government, we've got to continue waging the war on drugs." The libertarian will respond, "End it. It is an immoral and destructive violation of the principles of freedom, free enterprise, and limited government." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The most recent example of conservative drug-war nonsense is an
article entitled "Winning the Drug War," by Jonathan V. Last in the
current issue of The Weekly Standard, one of the premier
conservative publications in the country. In his article, Last cites
statistics showing that drug usage among certain groups of Americans
has diminished and that supplies of certain drugs have decreased. He
says that all this is evidence that the war on drugs is finally
succeeding and that we just need to keep waging it for some
indeterminate time into the future, when presumably U.S. officials
will finally be able to declare "victory." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Of course, we've heard this type of "positive" drug-war nonsense for the past several decades, at least since Richard Nixon declared war on drugs back in the 1970s. What conservatives never tell us is how final "victory" will ultimately be measured. Like all other drug warriors for the past several decades, Last doesn't say, "The statistics are so good that the drug war has now been won and therefore we can now end it," but rather, "Victory is right around the corner. The statistics are getting better. Let's keep going." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Last failed to mention what is happening to the people of Nuevo
Laredo, Mexico, where drug lords compete violently to export illegal
drugs into the United States to reap the financial benefits of
exorbitant black-market prices and profits that the drug war has
produced. Recently drug gangs fired high-powered weapons and a
grenade into the newsroom of La Manana, killing Jaime Orozco Tey, a
40-year-old father of three. Several other journalists have been
killed in retaliation for their stories on the drug war, and
newspapers are now self-censoring in fear of the drug lords. There
are also political killings in Nuevo Laredo arising out of the drug
war, including the city's mayor after he had served the grand total
of nine hours in office. According to the New York Times, "In Nuevo
Laredo, the federal police say average citizens live in terror of
drug dealers. Drug-related killings have become commonplace." The
New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists says that the
U.S.-Mexico border region is now one of the world's most dangerous
places for reporters. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Not surprisingly, Last did not mention these statistics in his
"We're winning the drug war" article. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
During Prohibition, there were undoubtedly people such as Last
claiming, "Booze consumption is down. We're winning the war on
booze. Al Capone is in jail. We've got to keep on waging the war on
booze until we can declare final victory." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fortunately, Americans living at that time finally saw through such nonsense, especially given the massive Prohibition-related violent crime that the war on booze had spawned. They were right to finally legalize the manufacture and sale of alcohol and treat alcohol consumption as a social issue, not a criminal-justice problem. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Both conservatives and liberals have waged their war on drugs for
decades, and they have reaped nothing but drug gangs, drug lords,
robberies, thefts, muggings, murders, dirty needles, overcrowded
prisons, decimated families, record drug busts, government
corruption, infringements on civil liberties, violations of
financial privacy, massive federal spending, and, of course,
ever-glowing statistics reflecting drug-war "progress." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Americans would be wise to reject, once and for all, the war on
drugs, and cast drug prohibition, like booze prohibition, into the
ashcan of history. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Jacob Hornberger is founder and president of the Future of Freedom
Foundation - http://www.fff.org | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"The ultimate test of what truth means is the conduct it dictates or
inspires." - William James | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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