| Feb. 2, 2007 #485 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Table of Contents
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THIS JUST IN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
(1) AN AFGHAN'S PATH FROM ALLY OF U.S. TO DRUG SUSPECT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON -- In April 2005, federal law enforcement officials summoned
reporters to a Manhattan news conference to announce the capture of an
Afghan drug lord and Taliban ally. While boasting that he was a big
catch -- the Asian counterpart of the Colombian cocaine legend Pablo
Escobar -- the officials left out some puzzling details, including why
the Afghan, Haji Bashir Noorzai, had risked arrest by coming to New
York. | ||||||||||||||||||
Now, with Mr. Noorzai's case likely to come to trial this year, a fuller story about the American government's dealings with him is emerging. | ||||||||||||||||||
Soon after the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, Mr. Noorzai agreed to
cooperate with American officials, who hoped he could lead them to
hidden Taliban weapons and leaders, according to current and former
government officials and Mr. Noorzai's American lawyer. The relationship
soured, but American officials tried to renew it in 2004. A year later,
Mr. Noorzai was secretly indicted and lured to New York, where he was
arrested after nearly two weeks of talks with law enforcement and
counterterrorism officials in a hotel. | ||||||||||||||||||
In fighting the war on terrorism, government officials have often accepted trade-offs in developing relationships with informants with questionable backgrounds who might prove useful. As with Mr. Noorzai, it is often not clear whether the benefits outweigh the costs. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(2) GUARD-OUTLAW STANDOFF ON BORDER RATTLES TROOPS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
DEL RIO -- A recent standoff between National Guardsmen and heavily armed outlaws along the Mexican border has rattled some troops and raised questions about the rules of engagement for soldiers who were sent to the border in what was supposed to be a backup role. | ||||||||||||||||||
Six to eight gunmen - possibly heading for Mexico with drug money -
approached a group of Tennessee National Guard troops at an overnight
observation post Jan. 3 on the U.S. side of the Arizona-Mexico border.
No one fired a shot, and the confrontation ended when American troops
retreated to contact the Border Patrol. The gunmen then fled into
Mexico. | ||||||||||||||||||
But the incident made some National Guard commanders nervous enough to
move up training dates for handling hostage situations. And some
lawmakers have questioned why the rules prohibit soldiers from opening
fire unless they are fired upon. | ||||||||||||||||||
"Why would this be allowed to happen?" Republican Arizona state Rep.
Warde Nichols said. "Why do we have National Guard running from illegals
on the border?" | ||||||||||||||||||
Nichols said until the rules of engagement are changed, the troops are
little more than "window dressing ... to say we are doing something
about border security." | ||||||||||||||||||
"We want to untie their hands," he added. "We want to put them in a
primary role." | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(3) MEDICAL MARIJUANA: EASY PANEL PASSAGE GIVES HOPE FOR SUPPORTERS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Yet again, a medical marijuana bill has sailed through a Senate committee, creating a sense of hope for those who want New Mexico to become the 12th state to allow patients to use the mind-altering herb for the relief of pain and nausea under doctor supervision. | ||||||||||||||||||
An estimated 50 to 200 patients, with conditions such as cancer,
glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and AIDS, would benefit,
proponents said. | ||||||||||||||||||
On Thursday, supporters were outwardly elated after the unanimous vote
in the Senate Public Affairs Committee, but more cautious in private.
For the past two years, a nearly identical bill found favor in the
Senate, then stalled in the House. Last year the initiative even won
Gov. Bill Richardson's public backing, but ultimately died in the House
Agriculture and Water Resources Committee. | ||||||||||||||||||
No one is sure where the governor stands now that he has his eye on the White House. His spokesmen did not return calls for comment. | ||||||||||||||||||
The Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act would give authority over the
supply and distribution of marijuana to the Health Department. Yet
during the hearing, Health Secretary Michelle Lujan Grisham and Human
Services Secretary Pamela Hyde sat in silence. Last year, in the same
hearing they endorsed it. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(4) A CHANGE IN THE WEATHER (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Progressive Dennis Kucinich takes over a new House subcommittee,
signaling changes in national drug policy. | ||||||||||||||||||
The Democratic sweep in the 2006 mid-term elections has done more than
finally install a woman as speaker of the House. It has also put one of
the most vocal critics of the ill-starred "War on Drugs" in a position
to affect federal drug policy. On January 18, Ohio Congressman and
presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, one of the most progressive
Democratic voices in the House, was appointed as chair of the new House
Government Reform and Oversight subcommittee on domestic policy, causing
drug reform organizations coast-to-coast to rejoice in hopes that a
moment for significant change may have finally come. | ||||||||||||||||||
This subcommittee replaces the now-defunct Criminal Justice, Drug
Policy, and Human Resources subcommittee, which was headed up by staunch
drug warrior, Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN). Kucinich will assume many of his
oversight duties, including policy oversight of the White House Office
of National Drug Control Policy and appointed Drug Czar John Walters.
One commentator on Stopthedrugwar.org crowed that "the responsibility of
overseeing the ONDCP has effectively been transferred from Congress's
most reckless drug warrior to its most outspoken drug policy reformer"
[his emphasis]. | ||||||||||||||||||
"He is certainly the polar opposite of his predecessor, Mark Souder,"
says Allen St. Pierre, spokesman for the National Organization for the
Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML. "Since the time the [ONDCP] was
created in 1988, there have always been friendly people in that
subcommittee and the ONDCP has always been able to get what they want
under the guise of protecting children and saving America from drugs.
But Kucinich doesn't believe any of that. Any of it!" | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (5-9) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
I could hardly believe my eyes as I read Barry McCaffrey's latest
OPED in which he wrote about his current and long-time support for
drug treatment. This is the same Director of the ONDCP who blew the
majority of their budget on enforcement year after year. Is it
possible that his membership on the board of a company whose
operation is being threatened by "bad press" has anything to do with
his new "song"?! | ||||||||||||||||||
A glimmer of hope and justice for Californians arrived when the
First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco ruled seizure of
cars by police without a hearing is unconstitutional. | ||||||||||||||||||
A New Hampshire student, Toby Iselin, found out exactly how little many of our elected officials understand their job. Mr. Iselin emailed his representative encouraging him to vote yes on a marijuana decriminalization bill. Not only did his representative reply that he did not care about the people he represents but he also encouraged Mr. Iselin to become a proper drug warrior. | ||||||||||||||||||
With massive, untaxed profits as an incentive, unregulated drug
dealers are always coming up with new ways to ensure their customer
base never declines. Two examples of this showed up in the news this
week. As if methamphetamine doesn't already amp users up enough, a
new form mixed with caffeine and delivered in a great tasting candy
called yaba originated in Thailand and has made its way to America.
Another meth upgrade has been discovered in Nevada which is
strawberry flavored. It's not too hard to guess that drug warriors
will demand more funds and less civil rights when reacting to this
news. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(5) OPED: METHADONE SAVES LIVES, RESTORES PRODUCTIVITY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Drug's Bad Press Shouldn't Harm Treatment For Addiction | ||||||||||||||||||
The recent increase in negative perceptions of methadone as a treatment for opiate addiction and the potential that has for limiting treatment alternatives for the citizens of West Virginia is a cause for concern in the health care community. I am a member of the Board of Directors of CRC Health Group, Inc. -- as well as someone who is proud to have spent a significant amount of my professional life supporting effective drug and alcohol treatment. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
CRC Health Group provides nationwide treatment services for science-based substance abuse and behavioral health disorders. We also own and operate a number of opiate treatment clinics in West Virginia. We are very proud to be the largest drug and alcohol treatment provider in the nation. CRC is dedicated to providing the absolute highest quality care to our patients. We focus on achieving the lowest possible relapse rates. We focus on outcome-based evidence of treatment effectiveness for opiate addiction. | ||||||||||||||||||
I am concerned that the recent rash of negative publicity and political commentary on methadone treatment might lead to unwise changes to treatment regulations that are not consistent with science. Changes that are not consistent with evidenced-based clinical protocols will adversely affect treatment outcomes and therefore negatively impact West Virginia communities and families. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Treatment works to reduce the use of these illegal drugs. According
to the National Institute on Drug Abuse Treatment Outcomes Study,
"Methadone treatment reduced patients' heroin abuse by 70 percent,
their criminal activity by 57 percent and increased their full-time
employment by 24 percent." | ||||||||||||||||||
Treatment has major economical benefits as well. The National
Institute of Drug Abuse has concluded, "Every $1 invested in
addiction treatment programs yields a return of between $4 and $7 in
reduced drug-related crime, criminal justice costs and theft alone.
When savings related to health care are included, total savings can
exceed costs by a ratio of 12 to 1." | ||||||||||||||||||
CRC's and my goal is to assist state health departments and state
methadone authorities to improve the quality and effectiveness of
substance abuse services. Of CRC patients, 93.7 percent report that
their problems are "somewhat" or "a great deal" better because of
treatment. | ||||||||||||||||||
We share Gov. Manchin's and Secretary Walker's commitment to sound public health management policies. We have a common goal to create a recovery-focused system for the people of West Virginia. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(6) COURT SETBACK FOR CAR CONFISCATIONS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
A Richmond ordinance allowing police to seize cars that are used to
solicit prostitution or drug deals is unconstitutional because it
doesn't entitle the owner to an early hearing to try to reclaim the
car, a state appeals court ruled Wednesday. | ||||||||||||||||||
The First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco noted, however,
that it's unlikely to have the last word, because the California
Supreme Court is getting ready to hear multiple constitutional
challenges to a similar ordinance in Stockton. The high court's
ruling will also affect vehicle forfeiture laws in Oakland and Los
Angeles. | ||||||||||||||||||
The Richmond ordinance, passed in January 2003, allows police to
seize and sell any vehicle based on evidence that it was used to
solicit prostitution or drugs, with the proceeds divided between
police and the city attorney's office after lenders are repaid.
Before the vehicle is permanently confiscated, the former owner is
entitled to a jury trial on whether police had legal grounds for the
seizure. | ||||||||||||||||||
Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Steven Austin overturned
the ordinance in July 2005 on several grounds, including its
distribution of the sale proceeds, which he found to be a conflict
of interest for the police and city attorney. | ||||||||||||||||||
The appeals court disagreed with Austin on that issue, but said the
ordinance doesn't guarantee a hearing to the owner until after the
police or prosecutor's office has filed a notice that the vehicle
will be forfeited and sold, a period that could last as long as a
year. The Constitution entitles an owner of seized property to a
prompt hearing to challenge the legality of the seizure, said
Presiding Justice Ignazio Ruvolo in the 3-0 ruling. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(7) OPED: INAPPROPRIATE E-MAILED ACCUSATIONS MAKE STATE REP. LOOK (Top)LIKE DOPE | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
I was under the impression that in America, politicians have to do
what we tell them. Now that may sound a little harsh, forward or
even like reverse fascism, but that really is a representative
government stripped to its purest form. We elect "politicians" and
they are supposed to represent the interests of their | ||||||||||||||||||
Apparently, newly elected New Hampshire State Representative Delmar Burridge hasn't received his orientation yet. Seems that Burridge is on the committee overseeing discussion of House Bill 92. For those out of the loop, H.B. 92 would remove the criminal penalties for possession of marijuana. The bill is sponsored by Keene State's own Chuck Weed, poli-sci prof. by day and N.H. state rep by night. | ||||||||||||||||||
Anyway, KSC student Toby Iselin took notice of the proposition, and
wrote an e-mail to Burridge. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
What happened next is Orwellian in nature, the kind of thing that
would have been shocking before we all started living in "1984",
approximately five and a half years ago. Rep. Burridge responded to
Iselin's e-mail by saying he didn't care about his constituents and
that for personal reasons (weed killed his brother) he would vote no
on the bill. He went on to tell tales from his days working in "the
poorest section in Philadelphia", where he stood "eyeball to
eyeball" with "reefer users" who had devastated their families
through use of the demon weed. | ||||||||||||||||||
Burridge then told Iselin "change all your friends," then dropped
some tactics on the Gestapo tip. I'm not even going to paraphrase
this, you just need to read it. | ||||||||||||||||||
"You are very passionate in your beliefs and would make a great snitch. It is thrilling to dime on your so called friends." | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
This modern-day Harry Anslinger is using his power as a government
official to block decriminalization of marijuana. Anslinger was the
United States' first drug czar, and he was adamant about making
marijuana a crime, mostly because it was making the Mexicans too
lazy and the blacks too uppity. | ||||||||||||||||||
Burridge wants to keep it illegal because his brother died in a car
crash after smoking a joint. Newsflash: if you can't drive a car
after smoking a joint, don't. There are plenty of people who can
handle that, but it doesn't really matter anyway since H.B. 92 has
nothing to do with any DUI laws. Alcohol is legal, but you're not
supposed to drive a car after that. I'm sure if Burridge's brother
had died in a car crash after pounding some Wild Turkey, he would be
pushing to make alcohol illegal too. | ||||||||||||||||||
If you think that the government officials we elect should do what
the public wants them to do, do your part to get Delmar Burridge out
of office. If you think that people should be able to control what
they put in their own body without the government, then push for
H.B. 92 to be passed. I'm going to leave you with a couple more
quotes from people slightly smarter than me. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(8) MEET THE NEXT POSSIBLE DRUG CRISIS: YABA (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
For years, drug commander Rich Burden thought for sure the greatest
threat to Arizona was methamphetamine. | ||||||||||||||||||
Then late last summer at a federal drug training academy in
Quantico, Va., he met two high-ranking cops from Thailand who told
him they'd seen something worse. | ||||||||||||||||||
"And I'm thinking, I know meth. I know the meth world. What could be
worse than methamphetamine?" said Burden, a lieutenant with the
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and head of the state's
multi-agency meth task force. Their answer? Yaba. | ||||||||||||||||||
It's the Thai word for "crazy medicine," a strange mix of
methamphetamine and caffeine pressed into a pill and flavored like
candy. Yaba recently surpassed heroin as the most abused drug in
Thailand and is ravaging that nation. It is used by children there
as young as 9. But now there are signs it is headed toward the West.
Over the past few years there have been yaba seizures by police in
places such as England, France, Hawaii and California. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Already In The U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||
Fear of yaba - and of the epidemic it could become - is not new in
the U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||
Earlier this decade, yaba received attention in northern California,
particularly in the Bay Area, where U.S. Customs agents pulled
shipments of it out of the Port of Oakland and mail facilities in
the area. More than 45 shipments were seized in a two-year period,
according to media reports at the time. | ||||||||||||||||||
"Back then, it got quite a bit of publicity because ... it appeared
it was being marketed to a younger audience," said Gordon Taylor,
the assistant special agent in charge of the DEA's Sacramento
office. | ||||||||||||||||||
The drug was isolated mostly to southeast Asian communities. It
rarely appeared elsewhere, and when it did, it was in the club
scene. | ||||||||||||||||||
"We thought it was going to be the next big drug and it really
didn't take off," Taylor said. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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(9) STRAWBERRY METH SEIZED IN SEARCH (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
A new kind of methamphetamine that has a strawberry flavor and
bright pink coloring was seized for the first time in Carson City
during a search of a Como Street apartment on Saturday, an official
said. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Flavored methamphetamine is the newest metamorphosis of the
dangerous street drug made from ephedrine and toxic chemical such as
lye and battery acid. It appears that the flavor and color were
added to the meth during the cooking process, instead of afterward,
which would mean the drug does not have any less potency than its
common counterpart. | ||||||||||||||||||
Methamphetamine can be ingested by snorting, smoking, or injecting. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sloan said the "strawberry quick" methamphetamine is popular among
new users who snort it because the flavoring can cut down on the
taste. He said teenagers, who have been taught meth is bad, may see
this flavored version as less harmful. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
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Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (10-13) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The Wichita Eagle gave equal time to drug war hawks and doves in the
form of opposing OPEDs. LEAP's Jack Cole got his words in first,
followed by federal prosecutor Eric Melgren three days later. As
usual, the hawk seems to have missed the lessons learned from
alcohol prohibition and is convinced EVERYONE would abuse drugs if
they were legal. | ||||||||||||||||||
A professional photographer, David Oppenheimer, has learned the prohibition lessons and put a good word in for LEAP in his Asheville Citizen-Times' OPED. Mr. Oppenheimer was responding to Asheville City Council member Carl Mumpower's claims that their police department is just not doing enough to fight the drug war. | ||||||||||||||||||
Texas, one of the most-incarcerated states in nation, seems to
finally be learning the fallacy of their ways! State legislatures
are discussing options to help inmates stay out of prison once they
are released. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(10) OPED: WAR ON DRUGS HAS BEEN A WHOPPER OF A FAILURE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
America's futile effort to arrest its way out of our drug problems has cost taxpayers more than $1 trillion since 1970, and it drains $69 billion a year -- every year -- from our treasury. It funds terrorists and clogs the court system, yet our kids report that it can be easier for them to buy illegal drugs than beer or cigarettes. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
But just as happened to Al Capone and his smuggling buddies when
Prohibition ended, the drug lords and terrorists would be out of
business without this "war." | ||||||||||||||||||
How has our war on drugs affected traditional police work? We solve a much lower percentage of our nation's homicide cases today than we did in the 1950s, despite more police per capita, better training and technical equipment. How many serious violent crimes go unresolved because police are busy chasing marijuana users? | ||||||||||||||||||
The war on drugs doesn't make us any safer. The war on drugs doesn't
prevent drug abuse. The war on drugs costs a fortune. And the war on
drugs and its huge profits encourage corruption at all levels of law
enforcement. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
I represent Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, an international
group of law officers who are sworn opponents of drug abuse. We know
a system of legalized regulation of drugs is more efficient and
ethical than one of prohibition. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(11) OPED: LEGALIZATION WOULD BE A MISTAKE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Legalizing all drugs, as Jack A. Cole proposed in his commentary
"War on drugs has been a whopper of a failure" (Jan. 23 Opinion),
would be a mistake that would have grave consequences for our
country. | ||||||||||||||||||
Cole makes the remarkable claim that drug violence is caused not by
drug use but by enforcement efforts against drugs. He recommends
giving up the fight because after spending billions of dollars,
America's drug problem persists. But how much worse would our drug
problem be if we'd surrendered our streets to the drug peddlers and
the legions of walking dead whose lives and souls have been stolen
by addiction? | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
History and common sense tell us that where countries have relaxed
drug prohibitions, drug use has increased. So would it under this
ill-advised proposal. | ||||||||||||||||||
Drug use would soar. More children would be left on their own by
parents too strung out to care for them. More Americans would find
themselves too sick or dazed to hold a job. More parents would be
forced to watch helplessly while their children destroyed their
lives for fleeting pleasures. More addicts would turn to crime and
violence, not from (as Cole claims) dealer turf wars or addict
attempts to obtain money for drugs, but from the violence that
results from a drug-addled mind and from drug-altered impulse
control. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Cole's message is designed to be appealing, especially to those who want to experiment with drugs without risk of being caught. He makes complex problems sound simple and offers solutions that appear easy. He even has retired law enforcement officers supporting his "solution." But the overwhelming majority of law enforcement officers, social workers, addiction therapists and Americans know what a disaster this would be for our communities and our nation. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(12) OPED: PRISON PUSH ISN'T SOLVING DRUG WOES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Asheville City Council-man Carl Mumpower loves the drug zealot
spotlight, but seldom do such people really evaluate the results of
the policies they tout. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
The problem with current drug laws is that they are very severe,
calling for lengthy prison sentences, which often cause more social
problems than they help. | ||||||||||||||||||
Hundreds of police officers across the country have come to the same
conclusion, that increased enforcement of the drug supply increases
crime on several levels (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition -
L.E.A.P. www.leap.cc). | ||||||||||||||||||
Robberies and other crime increase to cover drugs' higher prices and
organized crime increases as well. The United States currently
houses 25 percent of the world's prison population. What percentage
of our population does Mumpower feel needs to be imprisoned before
drug use would stop - and at what costs to society? Besides their
drug use, most users have no criminal intent. | ||||||||||||||||||
While addiction can be devastating, years in prison is often far
worse. Inflicting the violence and trauma of prison should be a last
resort for addicts and dealers who also violate other laws while on
or obtaining drugs, but not for the drugs themselves. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
We do not need to lock up more people; we need more social support
near the people who can use it. | ||||||||||||||||||
Nutrition, employment, recreation and education programs, dollar for
dollar, will bring a much greater return on the quality of life for
all the people in our community while setting an example for others
that compassion can be an inspiration for positive change for all
people. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(13) PRISON CRUNCH SOLUTION SOUGHT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
AUSTIN - With Texas prisons running out of space and officials asking for as many as 5,000 more beds, lawmakers are trying to make more room for violent offenders without costly new construction. | ||||||||||||||||||
Ideas include moving some inmates into drug treatment programs
before they're paroled and returning fewer parolees to prison for
minor infractions. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, chairman of the Senate panel, has
urged lawmakers to consider other options for low-level drug
offenders and low-risk parole violators. | ||||||||||||||||||
According to Whitmire: | ||||||||||||||||||
- The state has 1,900 inmates already approved for parole upon
completion of an alcohol or drug treatment program but must wait up
to a year to get in one. | ||||||||||||||||||
- About 700 have been approved for parole are still waiting to be
released because there's no room in halfway houses or other
facilities. | ||||||||||||||||||
- Another 1,500 inmates on drunken driving charges are waiting to
get in treatment programs. | ||||||||||||||||||
- In 2006, the state revoked probation or parole for 12,000 inmates
on what he classified as "minor" violations, such as failing a drug
test while awaiting entry to a treatment program, failure to hold a
job or nonpayment of court-ordered fees. | ||||||||||||||||||
Spending money on more halfway houses and treatment programs would
help, Whitmire said. | ||||||||||||||||||
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Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (14-17) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The feds are turning their attention to Hawaii's med pot laws. To
preserve the integrity of the program, they are calling for
a tightly regulated system for growers, including background checks,
unannounced inspections and monitoring. | ||||||||||||||||||
Canadian politicians from opposing parties are challenging each
other to escalate the war on cannabis growers. One lawmaker
suggested ramping things up a notch or ten with punishments that
could see a huge growth in the prison population. | ||||||||||||||||||
Poorer countries need the war on drugs to be profitable rather than cost them money or it would be unsustainable, so instead of talk about mandatory minimums, Nigerian drug warriors will grab land that is used to grow cannabis and turn it over to the government. | ||||||||||||||||||
A non-profit, eco-friendly organization in Colorado published a hemp
primer to educate the public about the wonders of this plant.
Interest in hemp farming in the USA has risen over the years and
efforts to legalize hemp rather than import it will be the next step
in several states. | ||||||||||||||||||
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(14) FEDERAL OFFICIALS ASK STATES TO TIGHTEN MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
HONOLULU -- Federal officials want the state to conduct background
checks on those certified to supply medical marijuana to patients,
saying the state must close loopholes being exploited by drug
dealers. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
"There needs to be adequate procedures in place to allow for
background checks, inspections, monitoring and reviews so that this
law is not a farce," Kubo said. | ||||||||||||||||||
The state Department of Public Safety should also be required to
perform random inspections of the caregiver's plant-growing
operation, he added. | ||||||||||||||||||
"After all, we regulate liquor licenses by unannounced inspections
and monitoring, and liquor is legal," Kubo said. | ||||||||||||||||||
Those with drug or felony convictions should also be prohibited from
acting as medical marijuana caregivers. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(15) MP WANTS WAR ON GROW-OPS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
OTTAWA -- A Liberal MP says the Tories are all talk, no action when
it comes to tackling the "criminal plague" of marijuana grow- ops
across Canada. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
But Justice Minister Rob Nicholson's spokesman, Genevieve Breton,
said the number of marijuana grow-ops and the production of crack
cocaine, crystal meth and Ecstacy increased "dramatically" while the
Liberals were in power. She insisted the Conservative government
plans to follow through with a campaign pledge to combat illicit
drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||
Karygiannis plans to press for mandatory minimum sentences that
would work on a scale. More than three plants would net two years in
jail, between 21-50 would garner a five-year sentence, 50-100 would
get seven years and more than 100 would earn a 14-year lock-up, he
suggested. He plans to introduce the plan as a motion that could be
studied by a Parliamentary committee. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(16) NDLEA VOWS TO CONFISCATE LANDS USED FOR NARCOTICS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA has said the agency
will no longer hesitate to confiscate any land used to cultivate
marijuana and hand it over to the government through the instrument
of the Federal High Court as it is the practice presently with
moveable property. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Giade said the agency has fought fiercely on every front in the last
one year of his stay at the helm of affairs adding that he is very
convinced that it has been a well fought battle to salvage the
youths of the country. | ||||||||||||||||||
In his own remark at the occasion, the Governor of Edo State, who
was represented by the State Commissioner for Health Mr. Godwin
Ovbiagele said the effort of the Edo State command of the Agency is
very much appreciated especially when viewed against the background
of the fact that the crime rate in Edo State has gone down
drastically. The Governor pointed out that this was very noticeable
during the last yuletide season where there was no armed robbery
incident at all. | ||||||||||||||||||
On the issue of request for logistic support to strengthen the Edo
State command of the Agency, the Governor promised to assist the
Agency in this regard adding that no reasonable government will fail
to lend a hand to any result - oriented organization especially
where the issue involve is in combating crime and making the state
safe and comfortable to live in. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(17) A GROWN-UP CONVERSATION ABOUT HEMP (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Hemp is an environmentally friendly, sturdy and durable plant with
an interesting history. But before getting into the history, I'd
like to clear things up because when people hear hemp, they
automatically think marijuana. Comparing hemp to marijuana is like
telling Grandma Steward that the beautiful ornamental poppies in her
yard could be used for recreational purposes, too. I think she would
be quite appalled at the comparison. | ||||||||||||||||||
One way hemp and marijuana differ is in the levels of molecular
compounds each contains. Hemp has a high percentage of an anti-
psychoactive compound - meaning can't get you stoned - which
counteracts the very low level of the psychoactive compound; whereas
marijuana is the other way around. Basically, if someone tried to
smoke hemp, it would show a great lack of intelligence on his or her
part. Furthermore, if someone tried to eat hemp, that person should
make sure to be close to a toilet because hemp is so fibrous that
eating it is like the equivalent of taking three, or more, strong
laxatives - and you still don't get a buzz. | ||||||||||||||||||
Since that discussion is out of the way, we can move on to more
grown-up information - like the environmental benefits, uses and
history of hemp. The environmental benefits from growing hemp
include: less water use, shorter growing season, no pesticide or
herbicide use, no need for chlorine bleaching when being processed,
and it purges the soil of weeds for future crops to be planted in
the same field. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
International News | ||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (18-21) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Well, it is official this week. The U.S. groomed and educated
"president" of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, finally put on a little
show of resolve, and dictated that the "Colombia-style" aerial
glyphosate dousing of Afghan (poppy) farmers shall not happen. Not
in 2007, anyway. Urged on by the most rabid of prohibitionists back
in Imperial Washington, beltway-bandit defense contractors (like
DynCorp) were eyeing the tremendous profits they'd reap in
Afghanistan, just like for "Plan Colombia". But it seems not to be
this year. Asadullah Wafa, governor of Helmand province: "We're
happy with Karzai's decision. Spraying affects the animals and
vegetables, even humans." | ||||||||||||||||||
Meanwhile, back in Canada, Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe pledged to make political life difficult for the rightist Harper regime, unless the Canadian government actually takes steps to buy opium directly from Afghan farmers. "For a transition period, we have to purchase the poppy crops directly from farmers and use it for medical purposes, to produce codeine or morphine," declared Duceppe this week. Otherwise, said Duceppe, a no-confidence vote could be in the cards for Harper, who "can only count on the Bloc's support if he firmly moves in the direction that I have laid out." | ||||||||||||||||||
In Victoria, Canada, Stephane Dion, the leader of the Liberal Party
announced he'd expand supervised-injection sites to other areas that
needed it, chastising the ruling conservatives for limiting the
funding of Insite, in Vancouver. "It's a pilot project that seems to
have been quite a success, according to reports. I would... work
with other mayors if they want to replicate this experience that has
been successful." | ||||||||||||||||||
And in Mexico, Presidente Felipe Calderon has been trying hard to
please his prohibitionist backers in D.C. with a much-ballyhooed
drug crackdown. "Calderon has signalled that he'll ask for millions
of dollars in U.S. aid to continue his campaign and extend it
nationwide," noted the Los Angeles Times last week. But lawmakers in
Washington may have their hands full with mid east issues, which may
not be so bad, after all. Some even say "lack of political
attention" to drug policy may be beneficial. "Politicians are
incapable of dealing with it," noted Mark Kleiman, Drug Policy
Analysis Program Director, UCLA. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(18) AFGHAN GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WON'T SPRAY POPPIES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- Rebuffing months of U.S. pressure, Afghan
President Hamid Karzai decided against a Colombia-style program to
spray this country's heroin-producing poppies after the Cabinet
worried herbicide would hurt legitimate crops, animals and humans,
officials said Thursday. | ||||||||||||||||||
The decision, reportedly made Sunday, dashes U.S. hopes for mounting a campaign using ground sprayers to poison poppy plants to help combat Afghanistan's opium trade after a record crop in 2006. | ||||||||||||||||||
Karzai instead "made a very strong commitment" to lead other eradication efforts this year and said if that didn't cut production he would allow spraying in 2008, a Western official said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. | ||||||||||||||||||
The spokesman for Afghanistan's Ministry of Counternarcotics, Said
Mohammad Azam, said this year's effort will rely on "traditional
techniques" - sending laborers into fields to trample or plow under
opium poppies before they can be harvested. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Top Cabinet members - including the agriculture, defense and rural
redevelopment ministers - pressured Karzai to reject the spraying
plan, saying herbicide would contaminate water, hurt humans, farm
animals and legitimate produce, officials said. | ||||||||||||||||||
The ministers also feared a violent backlash from rural Afghans, the
Western official said. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
"We're happy with Karzai's decision. Spraying affects the animals
and vegetables, even humans," said Asadullah Wafa, the governor of
the top drug-producing province, Helmand. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Karzai's decision capped months of behind-the-scenes pressure to
allow spraying like that already used in countries such as Colombia,
where coca plants supply much of world's cocaine. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(19) BLOC WANTS RETHINK ON AFGHAN POPPIES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
New Strategy For Opium Farmers Necessary For Support Of Mission,
Duceppe Warns | ||||||||||||||||||
MONTREAL -- The Canadian government has to work on an international
strategy to purchase poppy crops from farmers in Afghanistan in
order to stop the heroin trade and end the fighting in the
war-ravaged country, Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe said
yesterday. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
"For a transition period, we have to purchase the poppy crops
directly from farmers and use it for medical purposes, to produce
codeine or morphine," Mr. Duceppe said. Prime Minister Stephen
Harper, he added, "can only count on the Bloc's support if he firmly
moves in the direction that I have laid out." | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Duceppe used his speech to further explain his party's position
on Afghanistan, which he said could eventually lead to the tabling
of a no-confidence motion against the government. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(20) DION SUPPORTS MORE SAFE-INJECTION SITES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
More Funding Would Be Priority | ||||||||||||||||||
VANCOUVER -- Liberal Leader Stephane Dion said he would expand
supervised-injection sites to other communities and criticized the
Conservative government for agreeing to fund the Vancouver facility
only until the end of this year. | ||||||||||||||||||
In a two-day swing along the West Coast, Mr. Dion visited Victoria
for a $125-a-plate fundraiser Wednesday and finished the trip last
night at a banquet hall in Fraserview before a crowd of supporters,
including many from the Indo-Canadian and Chinese-Canadian
communities. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
In Victoria, Mr. Dion met with Mayor Alan Lowe, who has said that a supervised-injection site would be beneficial in his city. | ||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Dion said: "It's a pilot project that seems to have been quite a
success, according to reports. | ||||||||||||||||||
"I would give the funds to continue the experience and work with
other mayors if they want to replicate this experience that has been
successful." | ||||||||||||||||||
He said that if he becomes prime minister, he would look at funding other supervised injection sites for municipalities that ask. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
(21) DRUG FIGHTER'S TIMING IS OFF (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
President Felipe Calderon Comes Out Swinging, but the U.S. Is Now in
Another Arena. | ||||||||||||||||||
MEXICO CITY -- The U.S. war on drugs has seldom seen a more willing
recruit than Mexican President Felipe Calderon. | ||||||||||||||||||
Since taking office last month, Calderon has sent thousands of
soldiers to half a dozen states, where they have pulled up pot
plants and opium poppies by the hectare and searched thousands of
vehicles at military roadblocks. He also has fast-tracked the
extradition of men reputed to be among the hemisphere's biggest
kingpins. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Calderon has signaled that he'll ask for millions of dollars in U.S.
aid to continue his campaign and extend it nationwide. | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
Despite the praise, the U.S. drug war "is nowhere on the political
agenda," said Mark Kleiman, a professor and director of UCLA's Drug
Policy Analysis Program. Kleiman argues that lack of political
attention to drug policy is a good thing. "Politicians are incapable
of dealing with it," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||
Despite high-profile arrests and record annual seizures, he said, a
steady supply of cocaine, marijuana, heroin and methamphetamine has
been available in the U.S. since President Nixon famously declared
drugs to be America's "public enemy No. 1." | ||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
PSYCHEDELIC THERAPY | ||||||||||||||||||
CBC Television - The National, Friday, January 26, 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||
Could drugs like L.S.D. help the dying? This story could alter your
perceptions. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
DRUG WAR VICTORIES | ||||||||||||||||||
by Robert J. Caldwell | ||||||||||||||||||
San Diego -- Mexico and the United States, working together, are steadily dismantling the murderous Tijuana drug cartel, the infamous Arellano Felix Organization. Once among the most powerful and feared criminal syndicates in Mexico, the AFO is now a shambles. Its top leaders are dead or in custody. Most if not all of the AFO leaders now behind bars face trial in the United States, where bribery cannot buy the criminal justice system and intimidation doesn't work. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
DOPEY, BOOZY, SMOKY-AND STUPID | ||||||||||||||||||
By Mark A.R. Kleiman | ||||||||||||||||||
Thirty-five years into the "war on drugs", the United States still has a huge drug abuse problem, with several million problem users of illicit drugs and about 15 million problem users of alcohol. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
NO CHILD LEFT UNTESTED? | ||||||||||||||||||
The White House wants more schools to adopt random student drug-testing programs. Newsweek talks to advocates on both sides of the issue. | ||||||||||||||||||
By Alexandra Gekas | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
CULTURAL BAGGAGE RADIO SHOW | ||||||||||||||||||
"Drug War Salvation" | ||||||||||||||||||
Host, Rev. Dean Becker's Sermon calls for the end of drug war at
Houston Church. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
BIG, BIG GOVERNMENT | ||||||||||||||||||
by John Stossel | ||||||||||||||||||
Two weeks ago, U.S. drug agents launched raids on 11 medical-marijuana centers in Los Angeles County. The U.S. attorney's office says they violated the laws against cultivation and distribution of marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||
Whatever happened to America's federal system, which recognized the
states as "laboratories of democracy"? | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
POT CLUBS IN PERIL | ||||||||||||||||||
Are San Francisco zoning boards a bigger threat to medical marijuana than
the DEA? | ||||||||||||||||||
Greg Beato, February 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
WHAT YOU CAN DO THIS WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
Join Drug Policy Activists For An Online Virtual Conference | ||||||||||||||||||
MAP is pleased to announce a new series of Media Activism
Roundtables for 2007. | ||||||||||||||||||
We're also happy to unveil the new and improved DrugSense Virtual
Conference Room which now operates with TeamSpeak software hosted
directly on the DrugSense servers. | ||||||||||||||||||
Much like the past two years of conferences held using the Paltalk
system, the TeamSpeak program permits participants to interact using
both Text messaging (group chat format) and via live Voice using a
microphone and speakers, or a standard headset. | ||||||||||||||||||
Best of all, TeamSpeak functions with ease on all platforms,
including Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems! | ||||||||||||||||||
Weekly discussions will cover the latest in current drug policy
reform efforts from around the world with an emphasis on teaching
people how to get increased media coverage in their local
newspapers, radio and television. | ||||||||||||||||||
See http://mapinc.org/resource/teamspeak/ for easy directions on how to download, install and use the free TeamSpeak software program. | ||||||||||||||||||
During the month of February, conferences are scheduled each Tuesday
evening at 9pm EST, 8pm CST, 7pm MST, 6pm PST. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
LETTER OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
JUSTICE SYSTEM KEEPS DRUG WAR GOING | ||||||||||||||||||
By Loretta Nall | ||||||||||||||||||
In response to the Jan. 20 article, "Drug and murder indictments dominate in January grand jury report," I offer the following. | ||||||||||||||||||
The fact that 70 percent of the indictments are for drug offenses is astounding. How many of those offenses actually involved violence of depriving another person of life, liberty or pursuit of happiness? | ||||||||||||||||||
Without the "drug war," the employees of the criminal justice system
wouldn't have that much to do. This just goes to show that the drug
war is nothing more than a government jobs program that creates the
crime it claims to protect us from, while destroying our
constitutional and civil rights in the process. It is an attempt to
centralize power with local police officers who are loyal to the
federal government and not the citizens they are sworn to serve and
protect. | ||||||||||||||||||
Without the drug war, police and prosecutors would have to find a
different line of work. As long as drug use is dealt with by the
criminal justice system, you can always expect the results to be
terrible. | ||||||||||||||||||
The criminal justice system has a vested interest in keeping the
drug war raging, which is why things always seem to get worse and
not better. | ||||||||||||||||||
Loretta Nall | ||||||||||||||||||
Alexander City | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
More On Isaac Singletary | ||||||||||||||||||
By Radley Balko | ||||||||||||||||||
Police are now conceding that Singletary was completely innocent.
The Jacksonville sheriff describes him in this article as an "honest
citizen trying to do good." | ||||||||||||||||||
Which means that two undercover officers trespassed onto
Singletary's property. They then invited criminals onto his property
to engage in criminal activity with them. Mr. Singletary,
recognizing the trespassers as drug dealers, then properly demanded
they leave. He brought a gun along to defend himself, not an
unreasonable action, given the circumstances. For this, he was shot
to death. | ||||||||||||||||||
Florida Governor Charlie Crist visited Jacksonville yesterday , and
when asked about Singletary's death, referred to the "challenges" of
keeping a community safe. | ||||||||||||||||||
No, governor. Singletary's death isn't a "challenge." It's the
inevitable, predictable result of a stupid policy whereby
politicians attempt to control people lives. With guns. | ||||||||||||||||||
In my previous post on Singletary's death, commenter "John" suggested that while Singletary's death was wrong and unnecessary, it wasn't directly related to the drug war. I couldn't disagree more. It is inextricably tied to the drug war. The police in Jacksonville were doing exactly what they were supposed to be doing (save perhaps for the trespassing). They were arranging undercover buys, one of really only two ways to police consensual crimes like drug distribution (the other being the use of informants). They were confronted by a man with a weapon. They fired to defend themselves. | ||||||||||||||||||
Barring further information that these officers fired too quickly or
didn't attempt to announce themselves, this wasn't a case of police
misconduct or excessive use of force. It was the direct result of
government attempting to enforce a policy it has no business
enforcing, and that it can't capably enforce without effecting
tragedies like this one. | ||||||||||||||||||
But Governor Crist is wrong, too. This wasn't a "challenge." Let's
call Isaac Singletary's death what it is: collateral damage. Like
collateral damage victims of military wars overseas, Singletary's a
victim of living in close proximity to the government's intended
target. In this case, drug dealers. | ||||||||||||||||||
And like the civilian casualties of military wars, his death won't
do a thing cause the people who run this war to rethink their
methods. Because for them, the ultimate goal is more important than
the innocent lives they may take along the way. Like Governor Crist
said, Singletary's death is really little more than a "challenge" on
the way to a drug-free Florida. A few innocent bodies are the
sacrifice we pay for the privilege of allowing the government to
stop us from smoking pot. | ||||||||||||||||||
The difference between a foreign war and the drug war, of course, is
that in a foreign war, the goal is (usually) to defeat a foreign
aggressor that poses a threat to U.S. security. In the drug war,
it's to stop people from getting high. | ||||||||||||||||||
His death itself is tragic enough. More depressing is that it
doesn't appear to have made any newspaper outside the state of
Florida (though it does appear to have made cable news). Which
suggests that this kind of thing isn't even much of an outrage
anymore. It's nearly routine. | ||||||||||||||||||
Radley Balko is a former policy analyst with the Cato Institute and
now a senior editor for Reason magazine. He is a biweekly columnist
with FoxNews.com. Mr. Balko has been published many times in sources
from Playboy to the Wall Street Journal, has done many TV and radio
interviews, and his work has been cited in a Supreme Court opinion.
For additional information and to view his blog, please visit his
website, http://www.theagitator.com/. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit
atrocities." - Voltaire, French author, humanist, rationalist, &
satirist | ||||||||||||||||||
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