| July 23, 1999 #107 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Table of Contents
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FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
JUST SAY NO TO SEARCHES! By Pat Barber | ||||||||||||||||||||
A chief deputy sheriff told me, "We rely on people's ignorance to get
their consent." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Most folks don't know they have a constitutional right to refuse a police search request...and a lot of others are afraid to say no. | ||||||||||||||||||||
For the past year, police agencies across Texas have stepped up what
they call "consent" searches of vehicles on our highways. The
unprecedented numbers of searches are mainly the push of the state's 47
federally funded Drug Task Force(s) with a major assist from the Texas
Highway Patrol and local officers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
An officer will stop a traveler on some pretext such as a seat belt or
speeding violation, or as has been documented in many cases - no valid
reason at all, get the driver out of the vehicle, ask, "Do you have any
guns or drugs in your car?" And when the traveler answers in the
negative, the officer says, "Then you don't mind if I look in the
trunk, do you?" The officer is standing there in his mirrored
sunshades, black Task Force uniform, pistol on his hip, and the
traveler has nothing but a limp ego. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Most people feel intimidated by this kind of pressure. They don't know
their rights, believe they will be searched even if they do refuse, and
give up. Police officers are not required by law to inform the
traveler that he or she has an absolute constitutional right to refuse
a search request, that a refusal cannot be used in any way to imply
probable cause of criminal activity or that they will be free to leave
if they do refuse. | ||||||||||||||||||||
A chief deputy sheriff told me, "We rely on people's ignorance to get
their consent." | ||||||||||||||||||||
An old DPS trooper friend tells his family and friends to say to these
black shirted and black booted "storm troopers" (task force officers)
the following: "Officer, I don't have anything to hide, but I don't
want you pawing through my stuff." Sometimes a refusal will bring
threats to get a warrant or a drug dog, but if the officer really had
probable cause to search, he wouldn't be "asking" for a search; he
would be "telling" you. | ||||||||||||||||||||
However, my data indicates that a firm and consistent "no" will work
most of the time, regardless of their threats. An officer stopped my
daughter for speeding and wanted to search her pickup, although there
was no evidence she was carrying contraband. She told him she was late
to meet her vet - that was why she was speeding and that she didn't
have time for a search. The officer threatened to go to the JP for a
warrant. | ||||||||||||||||||||
When she heard the magic word "warrant", she thought she didn't have any choice. What she said was, "Officer, my father is a lawyer, and he told me that if I ever gave consent for a search, he would kick my butt. I'm sorry; I can't do it." The officer angrily said, "Take your ticket and get out of here." Her quick answer saved her a lot of unnecessary humiliation, and is recommended for Three reasons: | ||||||||||||||||||||
1. Her response was funny (although the officer obviously didn't have a | ||||||||||||||||||||
2. It was evident she had access to legal counsel | ||||||||||||||||||||
3. The officer knew she was acting on advice of counsel. I have had | ||||||||||||||||||||
One well dressed lady traveling in a late model suburban was seen
standing by the side of the road trying to hold her hair together in a
20 mph wind while officers threw her possessions on the ground. After
the officers finished the "consent" search and left, a local citizen
stopped and helped her pick up her things. | ||||||||||||||||||||
I've seen vacationing families with children standing in the summer
heat in the bar ditch while officers went through their suitcases. I
saw two gray-haired ladies standing in the cold, last winter. I've had
hundreds of complaints from citizens who felt like they had been
mistreated for no reason. I may be old fashioned, but this kind of
dangerous and ineffective police behavior is offensive to me, and I
would expect, to most Texans. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The "shotgun" search approach may occasionally net smugglers, but at
what price? Most folks don't want to see us turn into a third world
police state where you can't walk across the street without a police
dog's nose in your crotch. My main goal is to create a fundamental
debate about roadside searches. Do they yield enough criminal cases to
justify intrusions into glove compartments, trunks and luggage of
law-abiding travelers? | ||||||||||||||||||||
While the police agencies are quick to seek publicity for their busts,
data about "failed" (nothing found) searches is suppressed. No police
paper trail is kept. If we ever got an accurate assessment of what
they are doing, we would likely see an enormous number of citizens are
being terrorized and harassed by an ineffective policy. They can't stop
the flow of drugs. How far do we allow them to erode our
constitutional liberties in an unwinnable war on drugs? Tell your
clients to Just Say NO to Searches! | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pat Barber | ||||||||||||||||||||
Read about Pat's fascinating saga regarding a billboard he put up on private property: "Just Say No To Searches (915) 728-5505". | ||||||||||||||||||||
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WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (1) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
NM Governor Johnson's widely reported comments after the first Mica
subcommittee "legalization" hearings generated a powerful ripple
effect; a truly open discussion of the issue in New Mexico would
undoubtedly attract national attention. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) JOHNSON SEES PUBLIC FORUMS ON DRUG POLICY THIS YEAR (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
SANTA FE (AP) - Gov. Gary Johnson plans to make drug policy a subject
of public forums this fall, but it's a topic that the governor's fellow
Republicans would rather avoid as New Mexico approaches the election
season. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Johnson hopes to organize, in conjunction with the League of Women
Voters, at least three forums to start a public debate on how the state
and nation deals with the problem of drug use. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (2-3) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The second day of Mica Subcommittee hearings attracted even less press attention than the first; the headline of the San Jose Mercury-News emphasized the conclusions of yet another CASA "white paper," but the short article quickly switched to criticism of the prison population and from there, segued to remarks by DPF's Rob Stewart. | ||||||||||||||||||||
As for the "white paper;" it was also ignored- as was Califano's
introduction, clearly intended as an op-ed- but so far carried only by
wire services and one lonely newspaper (The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel,
if you must know). | ||||||||||||||||||||
(2) DECRIMINALIZING POT COULD HARM U.S. KIDS, STUDY SAYS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON -- While a congressional committee discussed the possible
decriminalization of illegal drugs, the National Center on Addiction
and Substance Abuse at Columbia University released a study Tuesday
arguing that decriminalizing marijuana could threaten millions of
American children. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Decriminalization has been proposed by some because of the enormous
economic and social impact of imprisoning hundreds of thousands of drug
users. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Prohibition is hurting us," said Robert Stewart of the Drug Policy Foundation in Washington, which advocates legalizing marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(3) LEGALIZED POT SAID A DANGER TO KIDS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON Young people who smoke marijuana are far more likely than
nonusers to move on to harder drugs, a substance abuse research group
concludes in a report that opposes efforts to legalize or decriminalize
nonmedical marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
''Teen experimentation with marijuana should not be considered a casual
rite of passage,'' said Joseph Califano, chairman and president of the
National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia
University. ''Teens who smoke marijuana are playing a dangerous game
of Russian roulette,'' he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (4) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ever since the days of John Quincy Adams when objections to the slaves
brought to Washington by Southern Congressmen ignited bitter debate,
House responsibility for the District of Columbia has allowed
Representatives to pander to home voters. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The WP reported on the various behind-the-scenes machinations through
which House Republicans are inflicting the drug war on DC citizens-
despite (mild) Democratic objections. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(4) THOUSANDS MAY FACE DRUG TEST (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Funds Sought For Program To Treat D.C.'s Repeat Criminals | ||||||||||||||||||||
Nearly 30,000 District residents on parole, probation or awaiting trial
on criminal charges would be subject to drug testing, with chronic
substance abusers placed into an expanded city treatment program or
possibly returned to jail, under a $25 million measure House leaders
plan to add to the D.C. budget today. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
The expanded funding is one of several extras that will be added to the city's budget.... said Rep. Ernest J. Istook Jr. (R-Okla.), the panel's chairman, and Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.), its ranking Democrat. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Intense debate is likely on other proposals.... namely a ban on public
funds for needle exchange programs, a ban on providing health benefits
for domestic partners and a continuation of Congress's move to prevent
the city from counting the ballots from last year's referendum on
legalizing marijuana for certain medical treatments. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I don't think it is fair to make the District of Columbia the social
petri dish for . . . the right wing of the Republican Party," Moran
said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (5) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
If you ever wondered if official drug policy is really that zany and irresponsible, learning that Florida's drug czar is a brand-new McCaffrey clone- straight out of ONCDCP- may help you decide. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(5) KILLER FUNGUS TOUTED TO ERADICATE STATE POT CROP (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
TALLAHASSEE -- There's a killer fungus among us, and Florida's new drug
czar Jim McDonough hopes to one day let it loose to murder the state's
illegal marijuana crops. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Only one problem: Scientists at the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection fear the fungus could mutate, spread and kill off everything
from tomatoes to endangered plants. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (6-7) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Two articles from Texas illustrate how a drug war "success" can create
its own problems; does anyone believe the increased seizures had any
lasting effect on a thriving market; or, that the problems of glutted
prisons and courts are definitively "solved" by recruiting more guards
and prosecutors? | ||||||||||||||||||||
(6) US BOOSTS BORDER DRUG HAULS BY POOLING INFORMATION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
EL PASO, Texas (Reuters) - Drug seizures along the U.S.-Mexican border jumped in the past year as U.S. law enforcement agencies started pooling information, a top Treasury Department official said Friday. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The amount of cocaine intercepted rose 49 percent to 25,589 pounds in the year ending April 30 from the same period a year earlier, according to the latest U.S. Customs data released by the Treasury. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Heroin interceptions were up 53 percent to 188.9 pounds and seizures of
marijuana were up 32 percent to 617,142 pounds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(7) BORDER SQUEEZE YIELDS CASE OVERLOAD (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. courts swamped in Valley | ||||||||||||||||||||
SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- The U.S. Justice Department is prosecuting more
people in the Texas-Mexico border region than ever, causing federal
courthouses to become overloaded with cases. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Some probation officers say they don't have time to check on newly released felons properly, the San Antonio Express-News reported Monday. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (8-9) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The sheer dimensions of the American prison colossus are starting to dominate drug policy issues; a fact attested to in a straightforward news report in the Washington Post and also by Jacob Sullum's in-depth examination of recent shifts in emphasis exhibited by John DiIulio, staunch academic defender of drug prohibition as policy. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(8) WHEN PRISON STOPS BEING A CRIME DETERRENT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
High Incarceration Rate May Fuel Community Crime | ||||||||||||||||||||
TALLAHASSEE Things were looking up in Frenchtown. After years of
spiraling out of control, crime had been declining sharply in this
neighborhood of rickety frame houses and tumbledown carryouts that
forms the historic hub of this city's African American community.
Observers credited a variety of aggressive police tactics, including
more and longer prison sentences for offenders. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Research here supports a controversial theory being advanced by an
increasing number of criminologists, who have concluded that although
high incarceration rates generally have helped reduce crime, they
eventually may reach a "tipping point," where so many people in a given
neighborhood are going to prison that it begins to destabilize the
community and becomes a factor that increases crime. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(9) PRISON CONVERSION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
After Studying Nonviolent Drug Offenders, A Criminologist Who Once Said
"Let 'Em Rot" Now Says "Let 'Em Go." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Even people who support the crusade for a drug-free America can see
that something is wrong with separating decent, productive individuals
from their families and making them serve hard time with violent
felons. But while opponents of prohibition tend to see such cases as
typical, representing the inherent injustice of the war on drugs,
supporters see them as aberrations. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
John J. DiIulio Jr., a criminologist who has little patience with what
he calls "the soft-in-the-head anti-incarceration left," is emblematic
of this shift. DiIulio was initially skeptical of the notion that the
drug laws imprison large numbers of people who are not menaces to
society. But he recently completed research that provides some of the
strongest evidence yet for this claim. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT (10) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Be that as it may, that other factors shape both the size and
composition of our prison population is emphasized by a disturbing
development in New Jersey: | ||||||||||||||||||||
(10) NEW JERSEY TROOPERS RALLY TO RESIST CHANGE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
TRENTON, N.J. - As Gov. Christie Whitman has struggled to change the
racially discriminatory culture of the state police, she has run into
a surprisingly stubborn obstacle, the agency's steadfast support among
white New Jersey residents. | ||||||||||||||||||||
During the past 16 months, the image of the state police has been
tarnished by a barrage of embarrassing revelations that might have
doomed a less resilient agency to a furious public backlash and a
thorough house-cleaning. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Yet many New Jersey residents and elected officials still sing the police force's praises with an almost patriotic fervor. Recent public opinion polls have shown surprisingly little erosion in that support. State legislators, who watch those polls closely and are mindful of the troopers' political influence, have rallied to the troopers' defense. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (11-12) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
In California, where it all began, the ongoing battle over medical
Cannabis moved toward a double climax: on the policy level, Democratic
Governor Gray Davis, is increasingly at odds with his legislature,
where Democrats have majorities in both chambers for the first time in
years; cannabis is only one of many issues dividing the governor and
his legislature. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(11) TOP DEMOCRATS ACCUSE DAVIS OF USURPING THEIR AUTHORITY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Governor Has Snatched Legislative Reins, They Say | ||||||||||||||||||||
Weeks of behind-the-scenes grumbling among lawmakers about Gov. Gray
Davis erupted into a public feud yesterday as top Democratic
legislators attacked the administration for trying to dictate their
agenda. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Yet Davis was scheduled last night to go to Monterey for a
$3,000-a-head fund-raising golf tournament -- ``The Governor's Cup'' --
hosted by the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, one
of his most generous campaign contributors. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The prison guards' union spent more than $1 million last year to elect
Davis. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Assemblyman Martin Gallegos, D-Baldwin Park, chairman of the Assembly
Health Committee, said Mike Gotch, Davis' chief lobbyist, asked him
Tuesday to hold two bills on medicinal marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(12) DAVIS MOVES AWAY FROM OK OF CARD FOR MARIJUANA USE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. LAW TRUMPS MEDICAL SANCTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gov. Gray Davis probably will veto a bill to create a state
identification card for users of marijuana for medical reasons, his
spokesman said yesterday. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The announcement by the Davis office came as the Assembly Health
Committee approved a bill backed by Attorney General Bill Lockyer
intended to implement a 1996 ballot measure that legalized pot for
medicinal use. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
The developments left Vasconcellos sputtering in anger. ``I'm really
offended,'' he said in an interview. ``This defies anything I've seen
in 30 years here.'' | ||||||||||||||||||||
``I thought the people of California elected the governor -- not Barry
McCaffrey,'' he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (13) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The second showdown in California's is a criminal case remarkable for
its incorporation of every important aspect of fanatical official
opposition to medical Cannabis; Placer County is proceeding with its
prosecution of patients Steve and Michele Kubby on charges that they
grew with intent to sell. | ||||||||||||||||||||
A succinct editorial in the Orange County Register reminded us of the
malevolence of the forces arrayed against the Kubbys and also raised
credible allegations of official skullduggery. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(13) THE KUBBY CASE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Following a remarkable ruling by Placer County Judge Robert McElheny,
the trial of Steve and Michele Kubby, two medical marijuana patients,
on charges of cultivating marijuana with intent to sell, just might get
under way this week. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The couple had their home in Tahoe City raided Jan. 19 and all the
plants they were growing, along with their computer, books, numerous
personal possessions and the $200 cash they had in their wallets at the
time, were confiscated. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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International News | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (14-15) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Australian drug policy experts are dismayed by their prime minister's
infatuation with American "tough on drugs" techniques. During his
Washington visit, Howard not only sought McCzar's advice, he invited
him to Australia in the Fall. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Meanwhile, a press description of the results of sustained, intense
anti-drug policing suggests that those tactics work about the same
Down Under as they do here. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(14) AUSTRALIA: ANGER AT DRUG ACCORD WITH US (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Australian drug experts last night expressed dismay at the Clinton
administration's endorsement of the Howard Government's drug policy,
warning that the country risks an HIV epidemic if it follows America's
failed zero-tolerance approach. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
But in Washington, the Clinton administration endorsed Canberra's
approach to the heroin crisis, with America's leading policy director
comparing legal injecting rooms to ``pouring alcohol into an
alcoholic''. The director of the Office of National Drug Policy,
General Barry McCaffrey, rejected the options of heroin trials or safe
injecting rooms, saying: ``Drug treatment and therapeutic intervention
can work.'' | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mr Howard, who met General McCaffrey in Washington, said the discussion
had ``reinforced in my own mind that we have the right balance in
Australia''. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(15) AUSTRALIA: CABRAMATTA DEALERS REGROUP AFTER OPERATION PUCCINI SUCCESS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Constable Rachel Dowd swerves her car into the driveway of a Cabramatta
block of units, a new haunt of drug addicts 500 meres from the central
business district. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cabramatta's intense street-level police blitz, Operation Puccini, has
just finished its second year with strong results in crime reduction,
but a new problem has emerged. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The dealers are moving out of the business centre into apartments in a one-kilometer radius from the shops. Here they fortify themselves behind steel doors and place lookouts outside, denying police the element of surprise and any chance of smashing open the door. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (16-17) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
However, Colombia is the country most jeopardized by American unreality in the area of drug policy; recent guerrilla attacks and economic setbacks have combined to make a bad situation far worse. | ||||||||||||||||||||
One searches in vain for any sense of restraint in American
pronouncements on Colombia; McCzar seems ready to recommend pouring
unlimited assets into a hopeless cause- could that ultimately include
American troops? | ||||||||||||||||||||
(16) COLOMBIA IS REELING, HURT BY REBELS AND ECONOMY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
BOGOTA, Colombia -- Almost every day now, it seems there is some piece
of bad news to lower spirits and raise fears here. If it isn't one
guerrilla group attacking on the outskirts of the capital, it is
another hijacking a plane or blowing up the country's main oil
pipeline. If it isn't unemployment rising to an all-time high, it is
the peso plunging to a record low against the dollar. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
"The worse that things are for the peasants, the more they are at the
mercy of the guerrillas and the more the guerrillas grow," said Maria
Jimena Duzan, a journalist and author who specializes in military and
drug issues. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The deterioration is also souring Colombia's relations with its
neighbors. President Alberto K. Fujimori of Peru, for instance, ...
has been anything but diplomatic in criticizing Pastrana's
carrot-and-stick approach. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"If all of this process of terrorist advances continues, I do not have
the slightest doubt" that Colombia "can constitute a threat to the
continent," the Peruvian leader said in an interview with the Bogota
daily El Espectador. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(17) U.S. TO CONSIDER $1 BILLION MORE FOR COLOMBIA DRUG WAR (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
BOGOTA, Colombia -- Alarmed by recent advances by Colombian guerrillas
who are involved in drug trafficking, the Clinton administration's top
anti-drug official is asking that the United States make $1 billion in
emergency assistance available to the Colombian government to
strengthen its efforts against drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
DRUGNEWS AND LETTERS ARCHIVE HIT MILESTONES | ||||||||||||||||||||
The DrugSense DrugNews Archive and collection of archived Published
Letters collection have hit some major milestones. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The DrugNews collection has topped 24,000 full text news articles all fully searchable on any imaginable topic relating to any aspect of drugs, drug policy, or related matters. This valuable information resource should be in regular use by all drug policy reform advocates. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The archive of Published Letters to the editor (LTEs) has recently
topped 2,000 letters published in nearly every major newspaper and
magazine in the nation and the world. All these letters are on drug
policy topics, can be searched by topic author etc. and the combined
value of the entire effort has just topped $2 MILLION!! | ||||||||||||||||||||
Kudos to the huge network of Editors, NewsHawks, Letter writers and
other volunteers and staff that make these important and ever more
valuable collections available to us all. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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MEGA GRAND SLAM IN HARPERS MAGAZINE | ||||||||||||||||||||
No less than SIX pro reform Letters to the Editor (LTEs) were published in the August edition of Harpers Magazine headed up by the prolific and oft published MAP letter writer Steve Young. This phenomenal accomplishment again drives home the point of the value of a network of focused letter writers. Nearly as important as the advertising value of these letters (nearly $3,000) is the demographics of Harper's. About 220,000 upper middle class readers many of whom are largely unaware of the damage being done by the drug war were exposed to these LTEs. All may be read at the URLs below. Hearty Congratulations to all! | ||||||||||||||||||||
Harper's Magazine Published LTEs | ||||||||||||||||||||
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"UNCOMMON SENSE" - ON-LINE | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gregory Sams' recently published book, "Uncommon Sense - The State is
Out of Date" has now gone fully on-line. Chapter 26, 'The Drug Problem'
makes very good, original and comprehensive reading at: | ||||||||||||||||||||
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DRUGSENSE FIRST ANNUAL FREEDOM AWARD (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Award Recipients Matt Elrod and Richard Lake Recognized | ||||||||||||||||||||
DrugSense is pleased to announce the recipients of its First Annual
Freedom Award. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Matt Elrod and Richard Lake are the co-recipients of this award
presented on the 4th of July in recognition of their selfless and
tireless efforts aimed at moving the nation and the world back in the
direction of personal freedom and individual liberty. | ||||||||||||||||||||
We can think of no better examples than Matt and Richard of deserving
recipients of this award among the thousands of hard working heros who
are working towards bringing an end to the "War on Drugs." We believe
this to be among the most noble, patriotic, and heroic endeavors in which
anyone can be involved. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Recipients of this award receive a certificate suitable for framing, a
DrugSense hat and T-Shirt and $100 award. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Congratulations to both for this well deserved recognition of your
outstanding efforts. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I don't really know what we can learn from America. They've certainly got one of the, if not the worst drug problems in the world, illicit drugs, and it's a bit like inviting Dracula out to advise you on your blood bank." -- Jason Meotti, Western Australia president of the Drug Law Reform Foundation, regarding a visit from General Barry McCaffrey. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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DS Weekly is one of the many free educational services DrugSense offers
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