| Sept. 1, 2006 #464 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Table of Contents
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THIS JUST IN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) NEW STRATEGY PUSHED IN AFGHAN DRUG FIGHT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A sharp spike in the illicit Afghan narcotics trade, despite major
efforts by U.S. and Afghan forces over the past year, continues to fuel
an insurgency that is increasingly killing American soldiers and
destabilizing the country. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In light of devastating figures expected to be announced Saturday by
the United Nations, U.S. officials plan to urge a shift in policy that
would involve getting tougher with regional Afghan officials who fail
to meet new goals for destroying poppy fields in their areas, the Post-
Dispatch has learned. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Local Afghan officials who don't act aggressively enough could be fired,
while those who reduce poppy cultivation would get money for economic
development. The U.S. action is spurred by concerns that a record of
370,500-395,200 acres might be under cultivation, up from 264,290 acres
last year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
And a push is likely in Congress next week for aerial spraying of poppy fields - a highly sensitive matter bitterly opposed by Afghan President Hamid Karzai because it recalls the specter of the Soviet occupation and could spark social unrest among impoverished farmers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(2) SCHOOL'S FIGHT TO CENSOR POSTER ENSURES WE'LL NEVER FORGET IT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
When it comes to Bong Hits 4 Jesus, here's some Advice 4 Dummies: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If the phrase poses such a threat to the health and future of any teenager exposed to it, then stop making a federal case out of it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If the Juneau School Board, in its infinite stubbornness, is so worried that the message waved on a banner four years ago at a nonschool event will lead high school kids down the path to illegal drug use, why does it insist on giving the message such tremendous exposure? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Google "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" and you'll get 14,100 hits. Included among
them is proof positive that the message has become part of the
vernacular: It has its own Wikipedia entry. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
And all Joe Frederick wanted was to catch the eye of a TV cameraman. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Frederick is the man who, back when he was a senior at Juneau-Douglas
High School, made a 10-foot banner to wave as the Olympic torch relay
passed through Juneau. A true Alaska artist, he used butcher paper as
his canvas and duct tape as his paint to craft the sign that now waves
in perpetuity: Bong Hits 4 Jesus. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The school principal, Deborah Morse, went nuts -- even though Frederick
wasn't on school property, wasn't at a school-sponsored event, wasn't
under direct supervision of school employees and wasn't representing
the school in any way imaginable. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(3) FEDS TAKE AIM AT 'GURU OF GANJA' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SAN FRANCISCO -- Federal prosecutors not only are preparing to retry
Oakland "Guru of Ganja" Ed Rosenthal, but seem to be searching for
more charges to file against him. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rosenthal, 61, was in federal court Wednesday for the first time
since his 2003 convictions were overturned earlier this year. U.S.
District Judge Charles Breyer ordered him to return Sept. 13, when
he and attorneys will try to set a trial date. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"The government might want to take a hard look at this case, is my suggestion," said Breyer as the brief status hearing ended. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Outside, Rosenthal's attorney, William Simpich of Oakland, said he
took that parting comment to mean the judge believes "this case
should be terminated." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
But William Dolphin, a spokesman for the Oakland-based medical
marijuana advocacy group Americans for Safe Access, said Wednesday
at least two witnesses appeared under subpoena last Thursday before
a federal grand jury in San Francisco that's probing Rosenthal's
activities over a wider range of time than the original case
included - -- possibly a prelude to new charges. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Those two people, who for now wish to remain anonymous, both invoked
their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination, Dolphin
said. They're to appear before the grand jury again today, perhaps
to be offered immunity from prosecution in exchange for their
testimony; this could leave them to choose between testifying or
being jailed for civil contempt of court. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(4) DRUG POLICY FORUM REFLECTS ON SUCCESSES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Group Helped Pass Marijuana Ordinance, Conducted Opinion Poll | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
It's been one year since a new group surfaced in Lawrence with the goal
of making Kansans rethink the war on drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In that time, the Drug Policy Forum of Kansas has succeeded in helping
pass a city marijuana ordinance, conducted a statewide public opinion
poll and obtained official tax status as a nonprofit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Executive director Laura A. Green said the group's e-mailed newsletter
has grown from about 50 recipients to more than 600. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Green said that, typically, people who speak out for drug reform are
labeled "radicals or legalizers" -- something she's tried to avoid in
her dealings with law enforcement and elected leaders. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"I'm not there to challenge them. I'm there to discuss the policies,"
Green said Thursday as she sat inside a west-side rental home she was
renovating, wearing a T-shirt with the words "No More Drug War" on the
back. "It's important that we have civil discourse with our elected
officials and our law-enforcement community. ... Being antagonistic and
critical is not our mission." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (5-8) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Yet another study finds federal anti-drug ads ineffective, and yet
another drug czar responds that the study must have been flawed.
Even some media are starting to get irritated by the story,
including the Las Vegas Review-Journal, which editorialized against
the ads. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prohibition succeeds again in making the market for a drug even more
profitable and violent - this time the drug is khat. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
And our last story is kind of tough to summarize in a pithy way, but
here are the basics: Former Whitewater prosecutor Ken Starr will
fight for a public school district's right to limit speech, even off
campus, any time any student advocates Bong Hits for Jesus or other
statements that don't jibe with the district's anti-drug sentiment.
Watch your tongues, kids! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(5) GAO: $1 BIL.+ ANTI-DRUG EFFORT INEFFECTIVE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ONDCP's Latest Spots Are Tagged, 'Above the Influence.' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON - A Government Accountability Office probe of the White
House's anti-drug media campaign has found that the $1 billion-plus
spent on the effort so far has not been effective in reducing teen
drug use. The report recommends that Congress limit funding until
the Office of National Drug Control Policy "provides credible
evidence of a media campaign approach that effectively prevents and
curtails youth drug use." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The report comes at a time when Congress is poised to take up the
anti-drug media campaign budget when it returns from its recess. The
campaign's current budget is $99 million, the lowest since the
effort began in 1998. ONDCP has asked for $120 million next year.
The Senate agrees with that amount, but the House has recommended
$100,000. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The GAO report examined the Westat survey, named after the
Rockville, Md., research firm that was awarded the contract in 1998
to evaluate the campaign. Since then, the government has spent $42
million on a survey that has been a constant thorn in ONDCP's side
because critics argue that it uses a flawed methodology. The survey
has concluded that the campaign raises awareness among parents but
has done little to alter teen drug use. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Critics charge that Westat did not start measuring the campaign's
effectiveness until nearly 18 months after the launch, so the
baseline is off. Westat once reported that the campaign contributed
to an increase in marijuana use among teenage girls, a finding that
captured media attention. When the campaign changed its target
audience and creative was directed at 11- to 15-year-olds, Westat
continued to measure the previous demo of 9- to 11-year-olds and was
unable to measure the new target. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(6) EDITORIAL: THIS IS YOUR AD BUDGET ON DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The federal government has spent about $1.2 billion since 1998 on
scores of television, print and radio ads designed to discourage
drug use among youth. President Bush has requested another $120
million for next year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
But not only do these admonishments not work, they are -- like so many ham-handed government interventions -- counterproductive. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Based on an independent evaluation of the campaign by Westat Inc.,
the Government Accountability Office on Friday recommended cutting
back funding for the effort. Westat found the ads had no
"significant favorable effects" in deterring children from trying
marijuana or in getting them to stop. In fact, it found that more 12
1/2- to 13-year-old boys and girls were trying the drug after seeing
the ads. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
These "public service ads" generally run at a lower cost -- or free,
on a "time available" basis -- under the rationale that they, well
... "serve the public." Such an explanation makes it sound as though | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If the ads or programming in question simply familiarize viewers
with voting locations, or flood warnings, that's fine. But the
reason America has a free press is that the founders realized the
public would be best "served" with a vigorous public debate on
issues of the day. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"Public service," on the other hand, is increasingly a euphemism for "propaganda" -- only the official government line need be presented. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Americans -- even America's kids -- show an admirable skepticism
toward such simple-minded "orders from on high." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(7) DEA'S KHAT STING STIRS UP SOMALI "CULTURE CLASH" (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SEATTLE - It is a stimulant and social elixir widely used in East
Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and it is one with more than 40
street names in this country, including khat, chat, gat, qat,
African salad, Abyssinian tea and Somali tea. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
But, as federal drug guidelines put it: "There is no legitimate use
for khat in the United States." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
With that stark reminder, federal agents arrested 14 members of
Seattle's Somali community recently, part of what the Drug
Enforcement Administration hailed as a "coordinated takedown" of a
44-person trafficking ring that had smuggled about 25 tons of khat -
with an estimated street value of $10 million - from Africa into
U.S. cities. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(8) STARR JOINS JUNEAU BONG CASE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
'HITS 4 JESUS': High School Senior Held UP Controversial Banner In
2002. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A high-powered Los Angeles law firm on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme
Court to review whether Juneau Douglas School District had a right
to punish a student who stood off school grounds during the passing
of the Olympic torch holding a banner that read, "Bong Hits 4
Jesus." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The phrase is so giggle-worthy, so odd, so catchy, that the entire
lengthy legal affair is often referred to simply as the "Bong Hits 4
Jesus case." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
At its core: Juneau-Douglas High School principal Deborah Morse, the
Juneau School Board and then-senior Joseph Frederick, who is now a
teacher in China. Court records outline what happened that day, Jan.
24, 2002: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The torch passed the school. Some kids had skipped out to make fast
food runs. Others cheered. Frederick and some buddies stood across
the street and held up their 10-foot banner. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Morse crossed the street, grabbed the sign and ultimately suspended
Frederick for 10 days. District officials agreed his banner violated
school anti-drug policies. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Enter the Alaska Civil Liberties Union. That group said that
Frederick was off campus and drug free and the school clearly
smothered his rights to free speech. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (9-12) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A local drug war crackdown in Texas is so harsh, a former federal
official is shocked. Elsewhere in Texas, one victim of the Tulia
drug stings is getting some compensation, and others might join him.
From around the world this week, notable drug-related police
corruption in Canada, as an officer pleads guilty to moonlighting
for the Hell's Angels by trying to provide them with information
from police computers. And, finally, an American police veteran
traveled to Ireland to promote drug policy reform. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(9) CITY, APARTMENT COMPLEX IN SHOWDOWN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lake Highlands: Accused Of Unlawful Tactics, Police Defend Efforts
In Crime-Ridden Area | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Two years ago, Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle rolled out a set of
aggressive crime-fighting tactics aimed at taking guns and drugs out
of several Lake Highlands-area apartment complexes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Now, the tactics face what appears to be their first legal challenge
as a complex owner accuses officers of breaking the law and a City
Council member of trying to run poor black residents out of his
district. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The showdown centers on the Bent Creek Apartments, an | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The complex's owner, AHF Community Development of Amarillo, has sued
Dallas in federal court, saying the city violated the Fair Housing
Act by harassing the low-income and minority tenants. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Residents complain that police have searched their apartments
without a warrant, made traffic stops for no reason and set up a
video camera across the street to spy on them. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"I have never seen a local government use their office and their
police in such an abusive manner as I have with the city of Dallas,"
said Gary Lacefield, a former U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development investigator hired by AHF for the case. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(10) VICTIM OF DISCREDITED DRUG STING IN TULIA GETS STATE (Top)COMPENSATION | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
At least one defendant in the discredited Tulia drug busts has received money from the state for wrongful imprisonment, and a West Texas attorney representing 18 others expects more to receive money. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"We believe and hope they'll be paid," Plainview attorney Brent
Hamilton said Monday. "We do believe that the claims met the
requirements." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Forty-six people, 39 of them black, were arrested on drug charges in
Tulia in July 1999, leading civil rights groups to question if the
busts were racially motivated. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The sting involved one undercover agent, Tom Coleman, who is white
and worked alone without audio or video surveillance. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The case focused an international spotlight on the small farming and ranching town of about 5,000 between Amarillo and Lubbock. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A judge recommended a higher court throw out the convictions in
April 2003, and Gov. Rick Perry pardoned 35 of the defendants Aug.
22, 2003. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kareem White received the first of two equal payments last week for the nearly four years he was behind bars, Hamilton said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The statute governing such claims allows recipients $25,000 a year.
White's check for $49,999.98 covered half of the time he was
incarcerated, Hamilton said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
White, who still lives in Tulia, said Monday that he feels he deserves the money. Hamilton filed White's request in June. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Claims for 18 others ensnared in the sting were filed in mid-August
before expiration of the three-year statute of limitations, which
began when Perry issued his pardons. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(11) VETERAN OFFICER PLEADS GUILTY TO CORRUPTION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Repeatedly Tried To Help Hells Associate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A veteran Winnipeg police constable admits he repeatedly tried to
help an angry Hells Angels associate hunt down people who stole
$462,000 in drug money and then went on the run. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bruce Huynen, 40, pleaded guilty yesterday to unauthorized use of a
police computer that involved nearly a dozen illegal name, address
and background searches in 2003 and 2004. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(12) U.S. POLICE CHIEF'S WARNING OVER DOOMED DRUGS POLICY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The prohibition against illicit street drugs should be ended as
hard-line legislation against drugs is doomed to failure, a U.S.
police chief warned today. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jerry Cameron, a police veteran with 17 years experience, urged the
Irish Government not to make the same mistakes the United States has
made in its war on drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr Cameron said there was ample evidence the hard-line crackdown with severe prison sentences for possession of street drugs such as cannabis and heroin in America had failed to deal with the problem. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"If someone wants to try a drug they are going to try it the law
makes no difference," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"In a free society you just can't keep people from doing things
which are sometimes foolish." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
At a conference in Dublin, Mr Cameron said the mission of the Law
Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) was to save lives and lower
crime rates by ending prohibition. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mr Cameron said prohibition simply never worked and results in
criminal activity. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"I certainly think the first step is physicians ought to be able to prescribe anything that they believe will help their patient, the police have got no business practising medicine," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"If you wanted marijuana tonight and didn't know where to go who
would you ask? The young people, the teenagers. It is out there they
have got it. The only thing that is different now is they have to
deal with criminals in order to get it," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (13-16) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
It's impossible to separate pot from politics, and this week is no
exception. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A plan to interfere in a Colorado state ballot initiative to legalize an ounce of marijuana for adults may backfire on the DEA as bad publicity concerning the tactics, legality and ethics mounts. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Missoula County, Montana will jump on the bandwagon to make
marijuana enforcement the lowest law enforcement priority if a local
ballot initiative is approved. This groundswell of similar local
initiatives in places like Seattle, Oakland, Portland, Santa
Barbara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo give true meaning to the concept
of direct democracy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A befuddled thinking award should go to the Merced County Board of Supervisors as they attempt to justify joining the enduring federal vs. California law battle that surrounds medical marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On a different note, Sativex, a cannabis-derived painkiller prescription drug, will undergo Phase III clinical trials in the United States beginning later this year after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it in January. The oral analgesic spray is produced by a British firm and marketed in Canada by Bayer. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(13) DEA SHOULD KEEP OUT OF STATE POLITICS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Federal agencies should stick to their knitting, as the saying goes.
They have no business using their muscle to influence state ballot
races. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Not only could the federal government's vast resources distort the
tenor of debate within a state, it would also force out-of-state
taxpayers to underwrite political campaigns that have no impact on
them. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
That message has fallen on deaf ears at the Denver office of the
Drug Enforcement Administration, which is poised to assist in the
campaign against Amendment 44. That measure, on Colorado's November
ballot, would legalize possession by adults of as much as 1 ounce of
marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Setting aside the merits of Amendment 44, the DEA's decision to
raise $10,000 to hire a professional campaign manager is a
heavy-handed use of federal power. Jeff Sweetin, the special agent
in charge of the local office, acknowledges that the notice seeking
an experienced pro to run the campaign was sent from a Department of
Justice e-mail account. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Letting federal agencies become political activists in one area
invites them to take sides on a host of others. That's why we hope
the DEA will abandon this campaign - and that next year, Congress
will enact legislation that would prevent any federal agency from
pursuing this sort of mischief. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(14) POT ON THE BACK BURNER? (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Marijuana offenses by adults could become Missoula County law
enforcement's lowest priority if a recently filed ballot proposal
proves successful. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Should voters approve, the initiative crafted by Citizens for
Responsible Crime Policy ( CRCP ) would direct Missoula County
officials--including the Sheriff's Department and County Attorney's
Office--to put marijuana-related investigations, citations, arrests,
seizures and prosecutions at the bottom of their to-do list, in
favor of investing more time and resources into more serious crimes.
Nothing about marijuana's criminal status would be changed, and the
initiative wouldn't preclude marijuana arrests; rather, the measure
would simply direct law enforcement to prioritize other crimes like
robbery, murder, rape, assault and drunken driving. Marijuana
offenses involving minors, driving under the influence or
distribution near schools would not be de-prioritized. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Missoula County proposal mirrors initiatives that passed in
Seattle, Wash., in 2003 and Oakland, Calif., in 2004, and have since
been implemented. Portland, Ore., and Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz and
San Mateo, Calif., are all in the process of gathering signatures to
place similar measures on the ballot this year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Missoula's initiative was filed April 14, and County Attorney Fred
Van Valkenburg has 20 days in which to review the petition to gauge
whether it meets legal and statutory rules. If Van Valkenburg
approves it, the group will then have three months to gather the
nearly 12,000 signatures required to place the initiative on the
ballot. And should voters pass the measure, the Board of County
Commissioners would then appoint a nine-member Community Oversight
Committee to oversee implementation and review reports of all local
actions taken against adult marijuana offenders. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The ballot initiative proposed by Citizens for Responsible Crime
Policy can be viewed at www.responsiblecrimepolicy.org. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(15) COUNTY JOINS POT-FIGHTING LAWSUIT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Merced County is gearing up for a smoking showdown with civil rights
groups that could determine the future of state medical marijuana
laws. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The county is expected to file legal papers on Friday that will join
San Diego and San Bernardino counties in arguing that federal laws
banning marijuana supersede any state laws allowing the use of the
drug. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
They were hard-pressed to explain why they all voted to join a
lawsuit that would prohibit any marijuana use, even for medicinal
purposes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"I don't know," said Supervisor Kathleen Crookham. "I would assume we're involved because so many people raised the issue." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Supervisor Mike Nelson, who is the only member of the board who said he is opposed to the use of medical marijuana, said the supervisors voted to join the lawsuit after Merced resident Grant Wilson repeatedly showed up to board meetings earlier this year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
At each meeting, Wilson asked supervisors to vote on whether the county should issue identification cards for people who were prescribed medical marijuana, as ordered by the Legislature in 2003. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Merced County and most other California counties have not set up an
identification system yet, saying it would cause too much confusion
for health and law enforcement officials. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asked if the county could have waited for the lawsuit to play out
instead of devoting staff time to the effort, Nelson replied,
"Perhaps." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(16) FIRM HELPS GET MARIJUANA-BASED DRUG INTO TRIALS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A cannabis-derived painkiller will undergo Phase III clinical trials in the United States beginning later this year, partly because of help from Kalamazoo life-sciences consulting firm Apjohn Group LLC. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The prescription drug, Sativex, was approved in January by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration for the Phase III trials, which
represent the last stage of clinical research required before a
company can apply for license to market. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The oral analgesic spray is produced by British technology firm GW Pharmaceuticals and is already being marketed in Canada by Bayer. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
International News | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (17-22) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In 2001, Tony Blair's government promised to cut drug deaths. But
recently, drug deaths have risen, a report by the Office for
National Statistics revealed this week. "It is obviously very
disappointing that the target hasn't been reached. A lot of these
government targets seemed to be aspirational," said Harry Shapiro,
of the UK-based charity DrugScope. Prohibitionists wasted no time in
blaming the 2002 downgrade of cannabis from class A to the
less-severe C class. "Cannabis Downgrade Coincides With Drug Deaths
Rise," wailed UK tabloid headlines. "Cannabis is a gateway drug,
most people agree [with] that now. A person smokes it and they are
then far more likely to go on to take a harder drug," asserted Europe
Against Drugs campaign spokesperson Mary Brett. In 2004, drug deaths
were down only 9 per cent from 1997 statistics, falling short of a 20
per cent cut promised by the Blair government. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As the deadline for the funding and approval for North America's
first and only supervised injection center in Vancouver, Canada
draws near, police there are providing advance cover for right-wing
Canadian Prime Minister Harper's expected plans to close the site.
RCMP representatives this week said they opposed expansion of
supervised injection sites, suggesting that the injection centers
caused people to take drugs in the first place. Supervised injection
centers, might "increase the demand for drugs," insinuated national
RCMP media spokeswoman Nathalie Deschenes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
While the Canadian supervised injection center is on the block
September 12, the conservative government's Health Minister, Tony
Clement, is looking to Sweden of all places, for advice on drug
policy, Canadian papers reported this week. Sweden is noted for a
repressive drug policy which lets police snatch people off the
street at will for drug testing. Said former Vancouver Mayor Phillip
Owen of the Health Minister's junket to Sweden, "I'd just as soon he
go to North Korea or Thailand or China." Sweden's approach to drug
users is "superficial, incomplete and inappropriate," added Owen,
and "not a very realistic approach to the issue of illegal narcotics
... in the country of Canada." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
And finally this week from Ireland, in a surprise announcement, it
was revealed that in 2001, the Irish government looked at
"legalising heroin." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(17) UK DRUG DEATHS ON THE RISE, DESPITE GOVERNMENT PLEDGE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The number of people dying as a result of drug abuse is rising,
despite a government pledge in 2002 to reduce fatalities -with
figures showing that deaths from heroin, cocaine and ecstasy have
soared in recent years. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The UK now has some of the highest rates of illegal drug misuse and
associated deaths in Western Europe. Figures published by the Office
for National Statistics (ONS) yesterday showed that 1,427 people in
Britain died as a result of drug misuse in 2004, compared with 1,255
in 2003. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Government pledged in 2002 to reduce drug-related deaths by 20
per cent from the 1998 figures, by 2004. But the ONS report found
that overall, the rate fell by just 9 per cent. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Harry Shapiro, of the charity DrugScope, said: "It is obviously very
disappointing that the target hasn't been reached. A lot of these
government targets seemed to be aspirational and this is a very
complex issue to tackle." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(18) UK DRUG DEATHS ON THE RISE, DESPITE GOVERNMENT PLEDGE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Drug deaths spiralled after Labour downgraded cannabis, it has been
revealed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The number of people killed by overdoses surged by almost 15 per
cent in the next year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Critics had warned that the decision to reclassify cannabis from
Class B to C in January 2004, meaning simple possession was unlikely
to lead to arrest, would lead to a surge in the use of all illegal
drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
An internal Downing Street report later admitted that people trying
cannabis had been lured on to deadly harder drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mary Brett, of the Europe Against Drugs campaign, said it appeared
much more than simple coincidence that the alarming rise in deaths
had followed the downgrading of cannabis. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
She said: 'Cannabis is a gateway drug, most people agree that now. A
person smokes it and they are then far more likely to go on to take
a harder drug. The Government will no doubt come up with excuses as
to why the number of deaths has increased, saying the drugs were
stronger. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
But that cannot be the whole explanation. 'It is a significant
increase and how many of those who died were, for example,
first-time users?' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(19) RCMP OPPOSE EXPANDED INJECTION SITES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
More Research Needed Into Whether Facilities Increase Demand For
Drugs, Mounties Say | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
VANCOUVER -- The RCMP, which may play a key role in deciding the
fate of the city's supervised heroin injection site, said yesterday
it is dubious about the merits of such sites. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In a statement issued from Ottawa to counteract some media reports
that the RCMP is sympathetic to the site's continued operation, the
Mounties said they are opposed to any expansion of so-called
supervised injection sites. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"We do have some concerns," said media spokeswoman Nathalie
Deschenes. "We strongly believe that more research is needed into
whether these sites increase the demand for drugs in order for us to
support their expansion." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(20) CANADA: HEALTH MINISTER LOOKS TO SWEDEN FOR DRUG-POLICY ADVICE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Health Minister Looks To Sweden For Drug-Policy Advice | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
VANCOUVER - Health Minister Tony Clement appears to be looking for
advice from Sweden as his government faces a decision on whether to
kill Canada's only safe-injection site in Vancouver. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Swedish embassy has confirmed the minister was | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Clement was also supposed to meet with the director of European
Cities Against Drugs, described on its website as "Europe's leading
organization promoting a drug-free Europe." Dozens of cities have
signed onto the group's commitment to "develop initiatives and
efforts against drug abuse," according to the site. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Swedish official noted that European Cities Against Drugs was launched to counter more Liberal European attitudes towards drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"This was basically a program to counter that Liberal trend where
there would be more Liberalization, more about going Dutch," he
said. "What they are focusing on is a sort of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(21) SWEDISH POLICIES IRK EX-MAYOR (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wrong Place To Seek Drug Advice, Phillip Owen Says | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"I'd just as soon he (Tony Clement) go to North Korea or Thailand or China." -- Former Mayor Phillip Owen on Clement's trip to Sweden | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A former Vancouver mayor and proponent of the city's supervised injection site is concerned about reports that Canada's Health Minister could be looking to Sweden for drug policy advice. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"It's not only the United Nations and the United States that are
playing the War on Drugs, but Sweden is not far behind," said Owen
in an interview yesterday. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
He called Sweden's drug policy "superficial, incomplete and
inappropriate." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"It's not a very realistic approach to the issue of illegal narcotics in the public realm in the country of Canada." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(22) GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED LEGALISING HEROIN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Government looked at legalising heroin in 2001, a former junior
minister has claimed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Eoin Ryan MEP told The Irish Times that he and Government officials
visited Holland and Switzerland between 2001 and 2002 where heroin
is dispensed to addicts for self-injection in designated clinics. Mr
Ryan was minister of state with responsibility for the National
Drugs Strategy from 2000 to 2002. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"We looked at it to see how the heroin issue was being dealt with in
Europe but in the event we came to the conclusion that legalisation
was a very drastic step." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
THE ACCIDENTAL DRUG TRAFFICKER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A repudiation of prosecutions that treat doctors' errors in judgment as
felonies | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jacob Sullum | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
MARC EMERY INTERVIEWS MASON TVERT OF SAFER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Join Marc as he welcomes Mason Tvert the amazing activist responsible for legalizing cannabis in Denver. He is the director of saferchoice.org and is currently taking legalization to the Colorado state level. Check out the SAFER web site and join the fight! Marc also introduces a voters initiative at myspace.com/myspace_vote2006_army | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CULTURAL BAGGAGE RADIO SHOW | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Listen Live Fridays 8:00 PM, ET, 7:00 CT, 6:00 MT & 5:00 PT at
www.KPFT.org | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
MARK FIORE ANIMATION 'THE UNITED STATES OF INCARCERATION' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WHAT YOU CAN DO THIS WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WRITE A LETTER: HELP STOP THE SUBVERSION OF ELECTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A DrugSense Focus Alert. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
JOIN A MEDIA ACTIVISM ROUNDTABLE ONLINE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gather with leading hearts and minds from the drug policy reform movement as we discuss ways to write Letters to the Editor that get printed. We'll also discuss ways to get notable OPEDS printed in your local and in-state newspapers. We'll also educate on how to increase drug policy coverage in your local radio markets. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The conferences will be held every Tuesday evening starting at 9
p.m. Eastern, 8 p.m. Central, 7 p.m. Mountain and 6 p.m. Pacific in
the DrugSense Virtual Conference Room. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SEE: http://mapinc.org/resource/paltalk.htm for details on how you
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speakers all that is needed - however, you may listen if you don't
have a microphone) and also by text messaging. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LETTER OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LEND SUPPORT, NOT A FIRM HAND | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
By Elizabeth Wehrman | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
To the Editor: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"For Addicts, Firm Hand Can Be the Best Medicine" ( Commentary, Aug.
15), seems too "firm." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
I work with drug users. The often heavy-handed legal system feels
oppressive, leading to resentment and anger. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
But I often hear about the value of people who offer companionship,
a listening ear and genuine concern for their struggles. Support
makes a difference. That's why 12-step meetings work for some: it's
about shared circumstances and support. That's why drug users who
still have accepting, supportive families and friends have a better
chance at change. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Drug courts work because of supportive structure, shared goals of
the court and client, and supportive relationships developed in the
process. This can happen in health care settings, too. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restructuring lives and functioning without drugs is a struggle. Unlearning habits is tough. Strictness and shame are burdens. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coercion? No. Community and relationship? Yes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Elizabeth Wehrman | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
KING COUNTY'S SENSIBLE TAKE ON DRUGS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
By Neal Peirce | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SEATTLE -- Is it time to forge an "exit strategy" for our prolonged
"war on drugs"? That question -- normally considered a "no-no" in
legal circles, especially among prosecutors and police -- has been
raised by the prestigious King County Bar Association since 2000.
And the results have been impressive. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
King County is sending minor street drug users and sellers through
drug courts instead of incarcerating them; its average daily jail
count is down from 2,800 to 2,000. The Washington Legislature was
persuaded to cut back drastically on mandatory drug-possession
sentences, apportioning funds to adult and juvenile drug courts, and
family "dependency" courts. Tens of millions of dollars have been
saved. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"This project isn't for fringy, ponytailed pot smokers," insists Roger Goodman, director of the bar association's Drug Policy Project. "We did it for the courts. We can't get civil cases heard for three years. And the drug cases are mostly so petty." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The uncomfortable truth is that despite decades of aggressive
government crackdowns, U.S. drug use and drug-related crime are as
high as ever. Made profitable by prohibition, violent criminal
enterprises that purvey drugs are flourishing. Harsh criminal
sanctions, even for minor drug possession, have packed jails and
prisons. Public coffers have been drained of funds for critical
preventive social services. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prohibition has failed to stamp out markets and quality, or increase
street prices for cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana.
The drug war kicked off by President Nixon in the 1970s costs $40
billion or more a year. It is a massive, embarrassing, destructive
failure. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
But politicians are normally afraid to question the system for fear
of being called illegal-drug apologists. So how did the King County
Bar get the ball rolling? "It's the messenger, not the message" --
the credibility of the bar association, says Goodman. The King
County Bar in fact assembled a nationally unprecedented coalition of
supporters, ranging from the Washington State Bar Association to the
King County and Washington state medical associations, the Church
Council of Greater Seattle and the League of Women Voters of Seattle
and Washington. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
And the first-stated goals weren't scuttling drug laws. Instead, the
bar association announced its platform as (1) reductions in crime
and disorder -- "to undercut the violent, illegal markets that spawn
disease, crime, corruption, mayhem and death"; (2) improving public
health by stemming the spread of blood-borne diseases; (3) better
protection of children from the harm of drugs, and (4) wiser use of
scarce public resources. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Now the bar association and its allies are asking the Legislature to
establish a commission of experts to design how the state can switch
from punitive approaches to a focus on treatment, shutting down the
criminal gangs that now control the drug trade. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As controversial as it sounds, programs for victims ( most likely
adults ) of such dangerously addictive drugs as heroin, cocaine and
methamphetamine may be easiest to fashion. Rather than leaving them
to the streets and black market exploitation, there may be ways to
register addicts, provide controlled amounts of drugs in medical
settings, and try to guide them into treatment. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For marijuana, control by cartels that now provide huge quantities
might be broken by state licensing of home production and
non-commercial exchanges. Or a state distribution system like state
liquor stores, demonstrably effective in denying sales to youth,
could be established. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The toughest issues may surround protection of children. Today, it's
noted, they get contradictory messages -- "Take a pill to feel
better," and "Just say no, except when you're 21 and then you can
drink." Youth see commercial advertising pushing a wide variety of
mind-altering, pleasure-inducing substances, even while society
leaves control of so-called "illicit" drugs to criminal gangs. Plus,
kids do like to experiment. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A realistic program could start with respecting young people,
providing them honest information, on uses -- and the demonstrable
dangers -- of alcohol, tobacco and drugs. Goodman notes that in the
13 states where medical use of marijuana is authorized, teen use is
down. "It's not as cool when grandma uses marijuana for cancer
pain," he says. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
There's surely no risk-free "exit" from today's terribly destructive
drug war. But we have to try -- and should thank communities and
states with the courage to lead. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for
everything I do." - Robert A. Heinlein | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Policy and Law Enforcement/Prison content selection and analysis by
Stephen Young (), Cannabis/Hemp content selection
and analysis by Deb Harper (), International
content selection and analysis by Doug Snead (),
Layout by Matt Elrod (). Analysis comments
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views of DrugSense. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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