| September 10, 1999 #114 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Table of Contents
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FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Renee Boje Update / by Maury Mason | ||||||||||||||||||||
If you subscribe to this newsletter and any others that deal with Drug
Law Reform or Medical Cannabis, you know who Renee Boje is. If not,
within the next few months you and millions of people in the United
States and Canada will. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Renee has a remarkable story to tell. There are many hooks for the media to hang stories on and they are beginning to do so. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[See: http://www.mapinc.org/renee.htm for the latest press coverage.] | ||||||||||||||||||||
The fact that she is an articulate spokesperson and has a face that TV
cameras love is all part of the attraction. Her lawyers say that a high
public and media profile will translate into the kind of political
pressure required to win her cases. Renee's story is about to hit the
mainstream press and I would like to explain briefly what that may
mean to the "Movement". | ||||||||||||||||||||
We have an International incident looming. Canada has an opportunity to
flex her sovereignty muscles with an issue that does not threaten the
fabric of Canadian society. If successful, Renee Boje will be the first
person granted political asylum in Canada from the United States. Just
the prospect of that occurring is big news. | ||||||||||||||||||||
When her story hits, there may not be a lot of room at first for intellectual argument or scientific fact. It will result in lot of people in North America talking about Renee and the War On Drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Many intelligent people in places of influence will look beyond the
flash and seek the substance of the story. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Once the circus atmosphere has passed, there will then be left a wider
demographic of people aware of the War on Drugs and the damage it has
caused. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Those of you who are activists and advocates with organizations and issues to promote will have an opportunity to raise your profile and membership. Neither Renee nor I have the depth of experience on the myriad of issues and historical details that many credible media outlets will want. I would like link you to our press releases and web pages or provide your contact numbers for the media to call. | ||||||||||||||||||||
I watched it happen first hand in the early years with Greenpeace when
I was the Director of Media and Public Relations. All the zipping
around in front of Russian and Japanese harpoons in our inflatable
speed boats did not save a single whale. Hundreds of millions of people
seeing, hearing or reading about it in the media did. It got people
active and talking about the plight of the whales. New environmental
organizations sprung up, those already in existence swelled with
support. Membership and fund-raising campaigns were easier and more
productive - and change did occur. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Our strategy is designed to be inspirational and emotive. Only a highly
inspired and motivated person volunteers to educate themselves and
perhaps become involved in something so stressful and overwhelming as
Criminal Justice, Drug Law or Prison Reform. With over 70 million
Americans who have tried cannabis once or more, there will many on the
cusp of action. | ||||||||||||||||||||
There are millions of people who are silent and inactive, who know the
difference between the line being fed to their children and the truth
about drugs, specifically cannabis. People feel more confident knowing
they are engaging in a popular issue. When these people realize they
are not alone in their concern over the injustice occurring, many will
become physically and/or financially active. | ||||||||||||||||||||
People of conscious need an opportunity to show their courage in a
variety of different ways and levels and we must be prepared to receive
and guide them. | ||||||||||||||||||||
This is not going to be easy or comfortable for those who choose to be
involved. The other side has multi-million dollar PR budgets. They have
guns, planes, helicopters, tanks and boats. They even have their own
General who allows people to call him a Czar. These people are just as
committed to their cause as we are to ours. And I don't expect them to
fight fair. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Renee and I are preparing ourselves for the General and his PR troops.
The only protection Renee and I have is the Canadian border, our belief
that what we are doing is right and millions of people bearing witness
to what happens. | ||||||||||||||||||||
If this whole thing makes you nervous and you want to lie low and let
it pass, I will understand. If you want to distance yourself from Renee
and myself, I will understand. I just ask that you not give the other
side anything they can use against us. | ||||||||||||||||||||
If you can help in any way, let me know. If you think I am doing something wrong, let me know. I am open to any feedback you may have. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Regards, | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Renee Boje Legal Defense Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||
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WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Domestic News- Policy and | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (1-3) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
A banner week for drug news for drug reform; a good way to begin is
with Ellis Cose's Newsweek piece which chastised the drug war in a
tone not often heard in mainstream media. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The next two columns indicate that while Bush's refusal to answer is
fading from TV screens, it was firmly fixed in the minds of columnists
and political pundits; drug policy should remain in play throughout
the Presidential campaign | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) THE CASUALTIES OF WAR (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Using Prisons to Solve the Drug Problem Hurts Not Just the Black And Latino Communities that Have Suffered the Most but All Of America | ||||||||||||||||||||
In search of stories, we sniff the sewer of scandal; and aroused by the
scent, we fearless journalists strike. So tell us, George W., did you
snort it? Did you smoke it? And assuming that you did, tell us when.
Somehow we make of this a test of character. And in some minor sense it
is. But in the end it doesn't tell us much about whether a man deserves
to be president. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Texas's prison-focused policy has been a failure. And so, in large
measure, has the nation's "war." It has left us with overcrowded
prisons, and with hundreds of thousands of people who have lost the
right to vote, and have little chance at a job and a slim prayer of
being reconnected to the larger society. It has also left many
Americans, particularly black Americans, with the sense the judicial
system is "the new Jim Crow," in the words of Eric Sterling, president
of the Criminal Justice Policy Foundation. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(2) COLUMN: THE HYPOCRISY OF THE WAR ON DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The folly of Texas Gov. George W. Bush has made us see that a host of
powerful politicians, many of whom aspire to be president, have
committed drug felonies but have never spent a day in jail. This,
while our prisons and jails are overflowing with two bit users, patsy
"mules" and other ghetto haulers, and penny ante peddlers of pittances
of outlawed substances. I hasten to say that I am not trying to
disqualify Bush for the Oval Office, which most Republicans seem to
want to give him. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
But it galls the hell out of me that Bush has been out front among the
craven politicians who have provoked the incarceration, the life
wrecking, of tens of thousands of young and irresponsible Texans and
other Americans because they possessed a few grams of dope but were
less privileged and protected than he was. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(3) THE LONG ARM OF COCAINE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Isn't It Time To Reconsider Our Draconian Drug Laws? | ||||||||||||||||||||
The question lit up by the rumor about Gov. George W. Bush and the use
of cocaine, followed by his refusal to talk about the subject, have
opened up broad discussions in which the governor is integrally
involved. Now the question has become less, Did George W. do it back
then? than, Does George W.'s situation merit a re-examination of drug
policy? | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sixty percent of the prison population in Texas is there for drug
abuse. Eighty million Americans have used illegal drugs. Now Mr. Bush
is centrally involved in the drug-policy question because, of course,
he is running for office as chief law-enforcement agent and has staked
out a position on law and order. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (4-5) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Nation devoted an issue to the drug war. A telling non-exchange
occurred between Mike Gray and Michael Massing, author of "The Fix," a
paean to Nixon's drug war. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Whether Massing really doesn't get what Gray is saying or is simply
attempting to obfuscate isn't that important; dumb or merely cynical-
he's hopeless either way. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(4) PERILS OF PROHIBITION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Over the years Michael Massing has done a highly effective job of
reporting on America's various drug war failures, but he now seems
unable to face his own facts. While admitting that the drug war is a
disaster on almost every front, he seems to be trying to tell us that
we can still pull it out by giving it a kinder face--that if, somehow,
we can make the penalties less Draconian and get everybody into
treatment, we can save the present system. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unfortunately, the system Massing supports was doomed at its inception,
and the fix he proposes is a Band-Aid. He leaves the cancer of
prohibition intact, a policy that created the drug problem in the first
place and has made it steadily worse. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(5) MICHAEL MASSING RESPONDS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mike Gray makes several assertions that--taken as gospel by
legalizers--are nonetheless highly dubious. One is his farfetched
contention that prohibition created the drug problem in the first
place. The entrenched poverty in our inner cities seems a far more
important cause. I also question his assertion that it's easier for
teenagers to get marijuana than beer. Anyone who visits a bar near a
college campus can attest to how readily available alcohol is to
minors. The notoriously lax state regulation of alcohol sales to
minors seems a poor model for drug distribution. | ||||||||||||||||||||
As for adults, most cannot find heroin or crack within hours, much less
minutes; to assert that such drugs have a market penetration rivaling
Coca-Cola is preposterous. Even those who do know where to find hard
drugs are often deterred by the fear of arrest. And without such a
deterrent, it seems reasonable to assume that more Americans would use,
and abuse, these drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (6-7) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Speech- free and otherwise, was in the news last week. Even as the invidious Di and Orrin hatched their latest plot against the First Amendment, McCzar urged us to talk to our kids about everything. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Will the next step be for the D.A.R.E. officer to ask the kids
just what they were told at home? | ||||||||||||||||||||
(6) FAR BEYOND 'JUST SAY NO' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The federal drug czar and his deputies have a message for parents this
fall. Go out for a pizza with your kid. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In a barrage of new public service announcements, videos, brochures,
and even suggested filler for annual financial reports, the Office of
National Drug Control Policy will tell parents and other adults that
it's not enough just to talk to kids about drugs. Parents also need to
discuss Kosovo, listen to their kids' favorite CDs, ride bikes
together--in other words, stay involved. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(7) EDITORIAL: JUST SAY NOTHING (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
A Pernicious Federal Bill Would Make Free Speech The Latest Casualty In
Our Phony War On Drugs | ||||||||||||||||||||
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A little more than a month ago, Feinstein and Hatch unveiled the
Methamphetamine Anti-Proliferation Act of 1999. Now, methamphetamine is
very bad stuff indeed, and certainly no one wants it to proliferate.
But the bill contains a frightening assault on the First Amendment --
a provision that would make it illegal for "any communications
facility" (such as this newspaper, or your Web site) to "post,
publicize, transmit, publish, link to, broadcast, or otherwise
advertise" any sort of "drug paraphernalia" or "controlled substances."
Note that this goes way beyond methamphetamine, and could even apply
to information designed to help people seeking marijuana for medical
purposes. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (8) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The punitive nature of our system of "justice" is summed up in the plight of Renee Boje; the eagerness of America to impose a Draconian sentence on her for her sympathy to medical cannabis is revealing. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sadly, even though Canadian resentment of American arrogance once led them to delay extradition of mass murderer Charles Ng, they probably lack the will to defy our federal government in a drug case. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(8) AMERICAN WOMAN FIGHTS EXTRADITION ON DRUG CHARGES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Renee Boje stumbled on the founder of the Cannabis Castle in a
Hollywood bong gallery, the trendiest type of Los Angeles coffee shop.
She was sipping a latte and sketching at a table. He was smoking a
joint and making no secret of it. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"You're very brave," she told him. He said he had cancer and a doctor's
note, which made it legal in California, and the conversation went from
there. The next week, Ms. Boje pulled through the gates of Todd
McCormick's Bel Air mansion .... | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
In February of this year, Mr. McCormick and his band of followers,
including Ms. Boje, were officially indicted by a U.S. federal grand
jury and charged with conspiracy to manufacture and sell marijuana to
Hollywood starts | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ms. Boje has never been in trouble with the law before and is terrified of going to prison, all for knowing, as she says, "someone who grew some herbs to help his illness."If convicted, she faces a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 10 years. In Canada, her lawyers say, she would probably be fined. Desperate to stay, Ms. Boje has taken an unusual step: An American, she is asking Canada to give her sanctuary as a political refugee fearing persecution in the United States. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (9) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
In contrast to its aggressive stance versus a dangerous "drug"
criminal like Renee Boje, our federal government which also runs the
District of Colombia, is practicing tolerance of 'drug crime' at home-
even as the Post (DC's home town newspaper) manages to sound as pious
as every other home town newspaper when it comes to "drugs" on local
streets. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(9) WHO RULES THE STREETS? (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
"DRUG DEALERS are not going to be on the streets while I'm mayor." --
Mayor Anthony Williams. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Yellow police tapes have been showing up on the streets of Petworth,
Columbia Heights and the Parkview areas in Northwest Washington.
Already familiar in several violence-drenched east-of-the-river
neighborhoods, the tapes in Northwest D.C. also mark the scenes of
fatal shootings, most tied together by a common enduring thread: drug
dealing. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dealers are on the streets and doing business on the mayor's watch. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Despite a decline in major crime rates, drug-related violence remains a
dangerous presence. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Only more patrolling of neighborhoods by beat officers and a stronger
police presence will convince drug dealers that the streets of
Washington belong to the law-abiding and not to them. At the moment,
Mr. Mayor, drug dealers don't believe it. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (10) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
'The recent killing of 64-year-old grandfather Mario Paz in his home by El
Monte drug police during a botched late-night raid should be a wake-up call
to all Americans. Had this horrific act been committed by any other group,
or in any other country, nobody would be satisfied with the
shoulder-shrugging, mumbled excuses, "we found a couple of guns and some
cash," and "we're looking into it," coming out of the police department.'
-- Sent LTE, Jay Dearien, Kawasaki Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||
(10) FBI PROBES FATAL DRUG RAID IN CALIFORNIA (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Grandfather, 64, Shot in Back In Drug Raid | ||||||||||||||||||||
(Los Angeles)--The FBI has begun a preliminary investigation into whether a local police officer violated the civil rights of a 64-year-old man who was shot and killed in his home during a botched drug raid. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Shortly before midnight on Aug. 9, the El Monte Police Department's Special
Emergency Response Team, armed with a search warrant, stormed a modest blue
and white stucco home in Compton as part of an ongoing drug investigation.
Officers shot locks off both the front and back doors, threw a flash-bang
grenade onto the ground behind the house and shot a "diversionary device"
into a back room for illumination. Minutes later Mario Paz, a grandfather
who had been sleeping with his wife in the bedroom of their home of more
than 20 years, was dead from two gunshot wounds to his back. Outside,
officers were interrogating the four other residents of the house, including
his handcuffed widow, wearing only her panties and a towel draped over her
chest. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Police said they did not find any narcotics or drug paraphernalia. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
El Monte Assistant Police Chief Bill Ankeny said that so far only the
family's side of the incident has come out and he hopes the sheriff's
investigation and the federal review will result in the release of
information that defends his officers' actions. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Although he can't comment specifically on the case because of the investigation and the possibility of a lawsuit by the Paz family, Ankeny said he thinks officers followed standard procedures for this type of raid, which he emphasized was considered "high risk" to officers. Still, he says this was an unfortunate incident. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Any loss of life, be it police or civilian, is certainly a tragedy,"
Ankeny said. "They certainly have our sympathy." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (11-12) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
With the Kubby trial on hold, the spotlight on medical cannabis is
reduced somewhat. Some mild satisfaction can be derived from an
insurance company's act of conscience. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The OCR also made a good point when it used newly released cannabis use stats to rebut sheriffs' oft-expressed anti-215 fears. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(11) POT SEIZURE BRINGS INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Robert DeArkland may be the first Californian ever reimbursed for
seizure of his marijuana by police. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The 71-year-old Fair Oaks resident received $6,500 from his insurance
firm after proving his pot was medically authorized. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(12) EDITORIAL: BAD DOPE ON MARIJUANA (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The newly released 1998 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse might
not be entirely reliable - how honestly do people respond when asked
about illegal activities? | ||||||||||||||||||||
But if it shows anything, it is that one of the main methods used by
drug warriors to discourage discussion of medical marijuana is utterly
without substance. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
At the very least this survey shows that intensive discussion of medical marijuana and drug policy reform has not led to increased marijuana usage by young people. So let the discussion continue. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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International News | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (13-14) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Two Canadian items emphasize the futility implicit in coping with the international criminal market created by US policy: a European meeting of police agencies essentially admitted that they are overmatched (still allowing them to demand higher budgets to "fight" drugs). | ||||||||||||||||||||
At an OAS meeting in Ottawa, the stage was set for scrapping the
arrogant US "certification" process- probably with tacit US
agreement; it's becoming much too embarrassing. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(13) UNDERWORLD AROUND THE WORLD (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mobsters Form International Cartels: Cops | ||||||||||||||||||||
GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany -- From Russian gangs to the Sicilian
Mafia, the world's organized crime networks are increasingly working
together in alliances that transcend borders and ethnic ties, law
enforcement leaders said yesterday. | ||||||||||||||||||||
At a conference on organized crime in this Alpine resort town, law
enforcement experts have come from 22 countries to talk about ways to
combat mobs worldwide. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"(The gangs) don't discriminate against groups. They only have one
issue and that's how much profit they can make," said Tom Pickard,
assistant director of the FBI. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Groups such as Russian organized crime "are able to operate at the
highest levels to threaten our banking systems, our governments,"
Fuentes said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Russian delegation proposed annual meetings of police and security officials from around the world to assess common problems. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(14) CANADA: LATEST TWIST IN WAR ON DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
34 Countries Approve Report-Card Approach | ||||||||||||||||||||
OTTAWA -- Thirty-four North and South American countries have formally
committed themselves to a new anti-drug campaign which amounts to a
direct repudiation of long standing U.S. drug policy. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The agreement sets up a standard report card system to measure how each
member country of the Organization of American States is faring in the
war on illicit drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Asked directly if the new OAS stand is an explicit contradiction of
American policy, Fournier said: "Well, it is certainly a strong
reflection on the part of 33 of the 34 countries that current practices
have not proven effective. I'll just leave it at that." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (15-16) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Meanwhile, in Mexico- that doughty and certified ally- officials
huffed and puffed over naked threats from a lawyer defending an
already jailed cartel boss against charges that he ordered the murder
of a TV personality from his prison cell. Reassuring? | ||||||||||||||||||||
In Colombia, the process of morphing the drug war into a real war
continued on its lunatic spiral, as we announced the latest increase
in armaments to "fight drugs." | ||||||||||||||||||||
(15) MEXICO MAY ARREST DRUG LORD LAWYER OVER THREAT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
MEXICO CITY, (Reuters) - Mexican authorities said Wednesday they might
jail a drug lord's lawyer after the attorney warned prosecutors their
case against his client in the murder of a television star would become
a "living hell." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Nobody is above the law. Neither personalities nor fortunes can intimidate us," Tornero told reporters in comments carried by the Televisa television network and government news agency Notimex. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(16) COLOMBIA: U.S. DELIVERS ANTI-DRUG HELICOPTERS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
BOGOTA, Colombia - Colombia's anti-narcotics police on Wednesday
received six high-flying helicopter gunships from the United States to
use in the war against illegal narcotics. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Despite record spraying, the acreage devoted to coca has doubled in
Colombia since 1996. Environmentalists complain that aerial spraying of
the herbicide glyphosate is pushing peasant farmers who grow the crop
further into the delicate Amazon River basin. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (17) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
In The Nation special issue, policy wonks Mccoun and Reuter looked at
European deviations from American prohibition orthodoxy; although
their conclusions are predictably timid, their account is historically
accurate and warrants a careful reading. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Before giving the Europeans too much credit for intelligence, it pays
to read articles like the one from the Scotsman; it proves that
prohibitionist around the world think alike. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(17) DOES EUROPE DO IT BETTER? (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
LESSONS FROM HOLLAND, BRITAIN AND SWITZERLAND | ||||||||||||||||||||
Listen to a debate among drug policy advocates and you're likely to hear impassioned claims about the brilliant success (or dismal failure) of more "liberal" approaches in certain European countries. Frequently, however, such claims are based on false assumptions. For example, we are told that marijuana has been legalized in the Netherlands. Or that addicts receive heroin by prescription in Great Britain. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Americans are loath to learn from other nations. This is but another symptom of "American exceptionalism." Yet European drug-policy experiences have a lot to offer. The Dutch experience with decriminalization provides support for those who want to lift US criminal penalties for marijuana possession. It is hard to identify differences between the United States and the Netherlands that would make marijuana decriminalization more dangerous here than there. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
The benefits of Europe's drug policy innovations are by no means decisively demonstrated, not for Europe and surely not for the United States. But the results thus far show the plausibility of a wide range of variations--both inside and at the edges of a prohibition framework--that merit more serious consideration in this country. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(18) SCOTLAND: PRESSURE ON DEALERS AS DRUGS TOLL IN STRATHCLYDE TOPS 100 (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
THE Government promised yesterday to step up the war on dealers after
the toll of drugs-related deaths in Strathclyde this year climbed to
101. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Alastair Ramsay, the chairman of Scotland Against Drugs, said: "In 1999
we are facing the prospect of an all-time high drugs death toll. We
have two options. We can either give up or we can continue to improve
the action we take to create communities which are free from the drug
misuse." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
The deaths came as Strathclyde police mounted an operation that
resulted in the seizure of drugs worth UKP445,000 in Glasgow. Five men
were arrested as officers recovered 1kg of heroin and 68kg of cannabis
in Easterhouse, Shettleston and Hillington. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Marijuana Penalty Poll | ||||||||||||||||||||
The last poll asked: Should police agencies back off their anti-drug efforts in states where voters approved the medical use of marijuana? | ||||||||||||||||||||
Yes, the voters' desire to ease some drug laws should be respected | ||||||||||||||||||||
(9253): 63% | ||||||||||||||||||||
No, anti-drug efforts should continue no matter what some states have decided | ||||||||||||||||||||
(4987): 34% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Don't know | ||||||||||||||||||||
(385): 3% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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In Depth Links to "The Nation" | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thanks to Richard Lake for this Useful collection of links from this
weeks issue of "The Nation" | ||||||||||||||||||||
The magazine, The Nation, just arriving at U.S. news stands, is a
special FOCUS issue on the War on Drugs. Check it out! | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
THE NATION - SPECIAL ISSUE "BEYOND LEGALIZATION - NEW IDEAS FOR ENDING THE | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
It's Time for Realism / Michael Massing | ||||||||||||||||||||
Life of a Scandal / Peter Kornbluh | ||||||||||||||||||||
Perils of Prohibition / Mike Gray | ||||||||||||||||||||
Yes, Treatment, But... / Elliott Currie | ||||||||||||||||||||
Michael Massing Responds | ||||||||||||||||||||
An Old City Seeks A New Model Baltimore Moves Toward "Medicalization"
/ Joshua Wolf Shenk | ||||||||||||||||||||
Does Europe Do It Better? : Lessons From Holland, Britain and Switzerland
/ Robert J. MacCoun and Peter Reuter | ||||||||||||||||||||
George Soros's Long Strange Trip A Philanthropist Defies Drug War
Orthodoxy / Russ Baker (posted in two parts) | ||||||||||||||||||||
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99.n959.a11.html | ||||||||||||||||||||
Marijuana Made Easy : Armies of Experts Sell a Little White Pill
/ Cynthia Cotts | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Road to Reform : Activists Need Fresh Strategies to Win / Carol A.
Bergman | ||||||||||||||||||||
Websites of DPR organizations mentioned in articles: | ||||||||||||||||||||
http://www.mpp.org/ | ||||||||||||||||||||
A full page ad also appeared in this issue as part of the Common Sense
for Drug Policy ad series: http://www.csdp.org/ads/ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
'Little Claude's mother had reluctantly allowed her precious child to
attend public school. She gave the teacher a long list of instructions.
"My Claude is so sensitive," she explained. "Don't ever punish him. Just
slap the boy next to him. That will frighten Claude."' | ||||||||||||||||||||
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