| April 5, 2002 #245 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Listen On-line at: http://www.drugsense.org/radio/ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Table of Contents
| ||||||||||||||||||||
THIS JUST IN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) YALE TO REIMBURSE AID LOST UNDER HIGHER ED. ACT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Drug Offenders No Longer to Be at Financial Disadvantage | ||||||||||||||||||||
Senior Yale administrators have approved a new policy that will reimburse students for financial aid for which they would otherwise be ineligible under the "Drug Free Student Aid" provision of the Higher Education Act, Director of University Financial Aid Myra Smith said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The 1998 "Drug Free Student Aid" amendment to the Higher Education Act
denies federal financial aid to students convicted of drug offenses.
Under Yale's new policy, the University will offer such students
supplemental aid in the same proportion of loans and grants that they
would have received from the government. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I think it's a well reasoned approach," Smith said. "It obviously
emphasizes that rehabilitation is a part of what we're doing, but also
emphasizes that we don't want to interrupt someone's education
financially." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(2) US TX: DEPUTY NOT INDICTED IN DRUG RAID DEATH (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Grand Jury Rules There's No Cause For Charges In Fatal Shooting | ||||||||||||||||||||
A Travis County grand jury declined to indict a sheriff's deputy
Wednesday for the shooting death of a 19-year-old man during a December
drug raid. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Deputy Derek Hill shot and killed Tony Martinez during the Dec. 20 raid
of a mobile home in Del Valle. Martinez was not the target of the drug
raid and was not armed when he was shot. | ||||||||||||||||||||
His mother, Nadine Gonzales of Hayward, Calif., said officials had not
contacted her about the grand jury's decision that there was no cause
to indict Hill. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"How could they have no-billed him?" Gonzales said as she started crying on the phone. "My son was asleep." She declined further comment. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Travis County Sheriff Margo Frasier was not available for comment
Wednesday. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Martinez was asleep on a couch when a Travis County SWAT team rammed
open the front door of the mobile home on Cornflower Circle. The
deputies were headed to the master bedroom to look for drugs when
Martinez sat up, and Hill shot him once in the chest. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(3) UK: MPS SUPPORT PLANS FOR RADICAL NEW LAWS ON DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The last political obstacle to the relaxation of Britain's cannabis laws will be cleared this month when the Commons home affairs select committee backs plans by the Home Secretary, David Blunkett, to downgrade the classification of the drug, the Guardian has learned. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The all-party committee of MPs has looked at a first draft of the
report and is also likely to call for radical measures to improve the
treatment of heroin users, including wider prescription by family
doctors and more use of diamorphine (medical heroin) to help control
the chaotic multi-drug user. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The committee has been struck by overwhelming evidence that Britain's crime crisis has been fuelled by the use of hard drugs, especially heroin and crack cocaine, by a small minority of addicts. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(4) THE WAR AGAINST HEMP (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
First it was medical marijuana. Now the Bush administration is taking
aim at hemp-food products. What will be next? | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Given the recent increase in marketing of these so-called 'hemp'
products in the United States," reads the rule, written by DEA
administrator Asa Hutchinson, "and given that many such products have
recently been determined to contain THC, DEA has repeatedly been asked
in recent months whether the THC content of such products renders them
controlled substances despite the fact that they are reportedly made
from portions of the cannabis plant that are excluded from the
definition of marijuana." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Many in the industry cried foul. Led by the Hemp Industries Association
(HIA), a trade organization representing more than 250 companies and
small businesses, seven manufacturers banded together and filed a
request for a formal review of the rule in the Ninth Circuit Court of
Appeals. "[The DEA's rules] were arbitrary, they didn't follow due
process, and they weren't based on due process," argues John Roulac,
founder of Nutiva, which manufactures hemp and flax bars, among other
hemp products. "What we're doing is perfectly legal, healthy,
sustainable." | ||||||||||||||||||||
The review, which begins April 8 in San Francisco, could effectively
reverse the DEA's rule. In addition, Canadian company Kenex has accused
the US government of violating the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) by impeding the import of hemp seeds. In March, the company
filed notice of an intent to arbitrate under NAFTA's Chapter 11,
requesting tens of millions of dollars in compensation for lost
revenues. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (5-10) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on public housing
evictions, pundits and editorialists around the country weighed in
last week. Many, like William Raspberry, wanted to have their cake
and eat it too - offering support for the decision while criticizing
the fact that a grandmother should be evicted for another resident's
drug use. Infinitely more interesting and honest was analysis in LA
Weekly about Supreme Court justices who used the derogatory word
"druggie" several times during oral arguments for a student drug
testing case. Who knows what kind of language they will use to
discuss "three-strikes" laws in an upcoming case. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In more optimistic news, the Tennessee legislature is on the path to
return welfare benefits for convicted drug felons. Alan Leshner's
brain scan show and tell for NIDA were debunked by Stanton Peele.
And the once exotic OxyContin must be boring some mainstream
reporters, as new scare stories about fentanyl, a painkiller
delivered by skin patch, were circulated last week. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(5) GRANDMOTHER CLAUSE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Supreme Court has upheld a controversial federal policy that
allows public housing officials to evict entire families when a
family member -- even a teenage child -- is caught with illegal
drugs in or near the housing complex. | ||||||||||||||||||||
And you know what? I'm glad. | ||||||||||||||||||||
No, I'm not glad that Pearlie Rucker, a 63-year-old | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(6) DEALING WITH DRUGGIES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
New platitudes from the people who stopped the vote counting in
Florida. | ||||||||||||||||||||
When Lindsay Earls set out in 1999 challenge her high school's
policy of drug testing students who participate in extracurricular
activities, she did so with the support of the American Civil
Liberties Union, her parents and the tacit approval of many of her
teachers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But as in every high school, a few people try to ruin it for
everybody: On the ACLU's Web site, which features a portrait of
Earls' fresh-scrubbed family, the now 19-year-old Dartmouth freshman
reports that as her suit garnered publicity, some of her fellow
students began taunting her younger sibling, Lacey, saying, "Your
sister is a pothead." | ||||||||||||||||||||
I was reminded of those kids when I read reports of the U.S. Supreme Court's arguments on the matter last Wednesday, dominated by the sarcasm-laced commentary of Justices Anthony M. Kennedy and Antonin
| ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
.... the Supreme Court's rhetorical style serves as a useful | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(7) SUPREME COURT TO REVIEW 'THREE STRIKES' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court said today it will use the cases of two petty thieves sentenced to at least 25 years in prison for shoplifting videotapes and stealing golf clubs to decide how far states can go in applying tough three-strikes-and-you're-out sentencing laws. The court's answer could settle whether states violate the Constitution's ban on cruel or unusual punishment when they use the laws to win long sentences for minor offenses that otherwise might result in just a few months behind bars. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The court agreed to hear two cases from California, which has the
country's strictest three-strikes law. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(8) COMMITTEE OKS BILL ALLOWING SOME DRUG FELONS TO RECEIVE AID (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Certain drug felons in rehabilitation programs would be permitted to
receive food stamps and welfare payments under legislation
unanimously approved by a Senate committee yesterday. | ||||||||||||||||||||
''There are women who have made mistakes - and they are now out trying to make a better life for their children,'' Sen. Thelma Harper, D-Nashville, told the Senate General Welfare Committee. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Under federal law, people who have been convicted of felony drug
charges are ineligible for food stamps or the state's welfare
program, called Families First. States are permitted to opt out of
the federal prohibition,= and 29 states have done so. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(9) HUNGRY FOR THE NEXT FIX (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Behind The Relentless, Misguided Search For A Medical Cure For
Addiction | ||||||||||||||||||||
AS DIRECTOR of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Alan Leshner toured the country with a PowerPoint presentation featuring brain scans. The show was a slightly more sophisticated version of the Partnership for a Drug- Free America's famous ad showing an egg frying in a pan. As he flashed magnetic resonance images (MRIs) on a screen, Leshner would say, in effect, "This is your brain on drugs." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Leshner's message was threefold. | ||||||||||||||||||||
First, certain drugs are inherently addictive. Second, scientists
have discovered the neurochemical processes through which these
drugs cause addiction. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Third, that understanding will make it possible to develop drugs that cure or prevent addiction. Leshner's traveling PowerPoint show epitomized NIDA's reductionist approach to drug abuse: Take a brain, add a chemical, and voila, you've got substance dependence. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(10) ABUSE RISES WITH SPREAD OF PAINKILLER PATCHES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
PHILADELPHIA - A Pennsylvania nurse has been accused of slipping into two nursing homes where he used to work and stealing medicated pain-relief patches off the backs of elderly patients in what federal figures show is an increasingly common type of drug abuse. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"It's terrible to think that someone would stoop that low," said
Gary Dobias, the district attorney in Carbon County, about 70 miles
north of Philadelphia. | ||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. prescriptions for the Duragesic patches and their reservoir of
the powerful painkiller fentanyl increased 33 percent between 2000
and 2001, and with the drug's popularity have come more reports of
abuse, especially among health care workers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (11-15) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Another drug task force has been accused of running amok without
even finding any drugs. This time the victims were in Oregon. A pair
of homeowners accuse task force members of robbing and vandalizing
their home while the victims were handcuffed for seven hours. A
court in Texas may be realizing the problems with task force
tactics. The sentence of a Tulia defendant has been thrown out, and
the defendant is awaiting new sentencing. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Drug-related corruption was exposed again, this time among long-time
veterans of law enforcement. A deputy chief of the Los Angeles
Police is alleged to have laundered money generated by his son's (!)
multi-million dollar cocaine ring. And a U.S. Customs employee who
supervised a multi-agency task force was sentenced for helping to
smuggle tons of marijuana from Mexico. Haven't heard much about
cutting task force budgets,= but, West Virginia, state budget woes
are threatening more useful criminal justice programs for drug
offenders. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(11) BEND PAIR SUE OFFICERS AFTER SEARCH (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
BEND - A couple have filed a federal lawsuit against nine law
enforcement officials, saying they vandalized the couple's trailer
home and stole money, jewelry and auto parts during a drug
investigation in October 2000. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In the lawsuit filed earlier this month in U.S. District Court in Portland, Wayne Roberts and Christy Winters allege members of the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team handcuffed them for seven hours while searching their home and smashed paint balls on their trailer. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
According to the complaint, the travel trailer was parked on U.S.
Bureau of Land Management property in rural Deschutes County east of
Bend on Oct. 6, 2000. The drug team allegedly came to the trailer
while serving a search warrant on the owner of adjacent private
land. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The suit says after handcuffing them, the officers arrested Roberts
and Winters on drug accusations. Roberts was also accused of being a
felon in possession of a firearm. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Neal says all charges against his clients were later dismissed. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(12) SENTENCING THROWN OUT IN TULIA DRUG STING (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Panhandle bust in 1999 drew national attention because of
allegations of racial bias | ||||||||||||||||||||
AMARILLO -- An appellate court has set aside the sentencing of a woman convicted in the controversial 1999 Tulia drug sting. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Kizzie Rashawn White, serving a 25-year sentence for delivery of a
controlled substance, will face a new sentencing hearing after the
7th Court of Appeals in Amarillo's March 20 decision. | ||||||||||||||||||||
No hearing date has been set. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Panhandle bust, in which 40 of the 46 people arrested were
black, brought national attention and questions about the way the
state's drug task forces conduct investigations. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(13) EX-POLICE OFFICIAL PROBED IN MONEY LAUNDERING CASE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
LOS ANGELES - A 40-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department
- until recently one of its highest-ranking officials - is under
investigation for real estate transactions that authorities believe
may have laundered money from a multimillion-dollar cocaine ring his
son headed. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Authorities are probing the financial ties between former Deputy
Chief Maurice Moore, 66, and Kevin Moore, a convicted cocaine
trafficker. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Investigators are scrutinizing at least two real estate transactions involving Maurice Moore to determine whether he sought to hide assets generated by his son's Detroit-based cocaine dealing. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In one of the 1992 real estate transactions, the elder Moore
purchased an apartment building, county records show. Seven years
later, Kevin Moore claimed in court papers that the building
belonged to him, even though real estate records still showed it in
Maurice Moore's name. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(14) EX-CUSTOMS AGENT GETS SENTENCE OF 10 YEARS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Following a plea agreement set out by the Justice Department, a
federal judge sentenced a former U.S. Customs agent supervisor to
the maximum allowable time in prison for helping smuggle marijuana
over the border. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Former U.S. Customs Service supervisor Ramon F. Torrez, 50, was
sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas,
to 10 years in prison for one count of obstruction conspiracy and
one count of bribery conspiracy. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Torrez admitted in his guilty plea that he helped three informants
import marijuana into the United States from Mexico, escorting the
loads and then releasing them in El Paso on 15 occasions. Torrez
acknowledged that the smuggled loads involved about 16,000 pounds of
marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Torrez was a U.S. Customs employee for almost 20 years and had been
a supervisor since late 1996. He resigned in March 2000 while under
investigation. As a supervisory special agent, he was a group
supervisor for a multiple-agency task force. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(15) BUDGET CRISIS SLASHING PUBLIC PROGRAMS FOR PRISONERS, JUVENILES, DRUG (Top)OFFENDERS | ||||||||||||||||||||
RICHMOND, Va. -- The state budget crisis has hit all sectors of
Virginia, but mayors and county supervisors across the state say
programs to help prisoners, drug abusers and juvenile offenders have
suffered the most. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Some programs have been slashed in half. Others have been given a
death sentence. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (16-20) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Big news in Canada this week. While a drug-sniffing dog led to the suspension of an Ottawa high school student for having a jacket that apparently (according to the canine in question) smelled of pot, a Carleton University study suggests that smoking cannabis, even long-term and heavy use, doesn't lead to a decrease in IQ. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The citizens of Washington, DC had something to cheer about; a
Federal judge has ruled that a law forbidding residents from
circulating or voting on a ballot initiative to legalize marijuana
for medical purposes was unconstitutional. Activists hope to gather
enough votes to get the initiative (which was supported by 69% of
voters last election) back on the ballot by late fall. Meanwhile,
charges were dismissed against 3 New York activists charged with
marijuana possession for having distributed hemp treats at a rally
protesting the DEA's plans to ban hemp products in the US. Analysis
of the treats found no traces of THC. | ||||||||||||||||||||
And closing out this week's news, The UK saw its second Dutch-style coffee shop open in Bournmouth, Dorset, without police interference. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(16) SMOKING POT NO RISK TO IQ, CANADIAN STUDY SAYS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Researchers at Carleton University have found that people who smoke moderate amounts of marijuana, even over a number of years, do not experience decreases in IQ. And while the IQ of current heavy smokers (more than five joints a week) dips slightly, those losses do not seem to last over time. Former pot smokers, no matter their intake, show no long-term decreases in intelligence quotient. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Marijuana does not have a long-term negative impact on global
intelligence," said Peter Fried, a professor of psychology at
Carleton University in Ottawa. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(17) APOLOGY ON WHIFF LIST TO STUDENT PICKED OFF BY POOCH (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
AN OTTAWA student suspended after a random school narcotic search
says he's an innocent casualty of the war on drugs being fought in
city classrooms. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Chris Laurin, a St. Matthew High School student, was suspended
Tuesday after a police dog signalled to its handler that a jacket
belonging to the youth carried the scent of marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Now, the 15-year-old and his lawyer Lawrence Greenspon are vowing to wipe the residue of his two-day suspension from his record. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Laurin and Greenspon want the suspension to be rescinded and the
board to issue public apology. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(18) LAW OVERTURNED BARRING MARIJUANA VOTE IN D.C. (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
A federal judge in Washington yesterday overturned a law prohibiting D.C. residents from circulating or voting on a ballot initiative to legalize marijuana for medical purposes, clearing the way for the measure to be put on the ballot, possibly as early as November. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Proponents of the medical use of marijuana went to court in December
seeking an injunction barring enforcement of the federal law, which
effectively blocked D.C. residents from putting the issue before
voters. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The ban was enacted by Congress in 1998 after an identical
legalization initiative was placed on the ballot and set off a home
rule confrontation with federal lawmakers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
If 16,000 valid signatures are collected and certified by July 5, the medical marijuana initiative could be on the November ballot. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(19) MARIJUANA CHARGES AGAINST HEMP PROTESTERS DISMISSED (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
SYRACUSE - Marijuana charges against three protesters were dismissed
Thursday after lab tests on pretzels and candy bars made with hemp
showed no traces of the psychoactive chemical THC. | ||||||||||||||||||||
City Court Judge Langston McKinney threw out the charges against
Jennifer Copeland, Patrick Head, and Gerrit Cain. They were arrested
Dec. 4 in front of the police station for handing out free samples
of the food products. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(20) POLICE LET SECOND UK 'CANNABIS CAFE' OPEN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
BRITAIN'S second cannabis cafe opened yesterday near a drug rehabilitation centre and with little interference from police. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Dutch Experience in Bournemouth, Dorset, opened its doors to the strains of the popular song "Because I Got High", six months after the first cannabis cafe opened in Stockport, Greater Manchester. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The latest opening follows the more relaxed attitude of police to
cannabis possession in Lambeth, south London. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
International News | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (21-25) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
US and European drug-suppression authorities braced for an expected
"glut" of Afghan heroin, announced officials this week. Drug-money
that once funded Taliban-aligned leaders was now needed, noted the
New York times, "to enrich tribal leaders and warlords whose support
is vital to the American-backed interim government." | ||||||||||||||||||||
In Turkey, American and Turkish drug agents seized over seven tons
of morphine, reportedly the largest drug seizure in Turkish history.
The opium derivative, which is used to make heroin, was said to have
originated in Afghanistan. | ||||||||||||||||||||
A chief drugs advisor to the Australian prime minister was
discovered to have served as director for a "radical zero tolerance
drug foundation," which desired to get money from the Australian
government. The foundation, modeled on the Swedish anti-drugs group
"Hassela", endorses jail terms for drug users. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Two Thai army officers and a civilian were sentenced to death this week after a court found them guilty of possessing 40,000 methamphetamine pills. The civilian's sentence was commuted to life in prison because he confessed, reported the Bangkok Post. | ||||||||||||||||||||
And in Malaysia, an amendment to the "Dangerous Drugs Act" includes
new fines of up to $10,000 for "suspicion of drug taking," with new
jail terms of four years for failing to provide a urine sample to
police. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(21) U.S., ALLIES EXPECT A GLUT OF AFGHAN OPIUM, HEROIN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Political instability, lawlessness and profit from cultivation, sale
of drugs has made ban ineffectual. | ||||||||||||||||||||
American officials have quietly abandoned their hopes of reducing
Afghanistan's opium production substantially this year and are now
bracing for a harvest large enough to inundate the world's heroin
and opium markets with cheap drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
While American and European officials have considered measures like
paying Afghan opium poppy farmers to plow under their fields, they
have concluded that continuing lawlessness and political instability
will make significant eradication all but impossible. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Now, the drug profits that once flowed to local leaders aligned with the Taliban are expected to enrich tribal leaders and warlords whose support is vital to the American-backed interim government. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But because opium poppy farming remains one of the few viable
economic activities, officials added, any intense eradication effort
could imperil the stability of the government and thus hamper the
military campaign against the Taliban and al-Qaida. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"The fight against terrorism takes priority," one British law
enforcement official said. "The fight against narcotics comes in
second." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(22) DRUGS SAID TO BE FROM AFGHANISTAN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
ISTANBUL, April 1 -- Turkish police and American drug agents have
seized 7.5 tons of unrefined morphine, worth an estimated $29
million, in the biggest drug haul ever in Turkey, authorities said
today. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The morphine, which can be processed to produce heroin, was believed to have originated in Afghanistan and made its way to Turkey through Iran on its way to European markets, the authorities said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(23) PM'S TOP DRUG ADVISER LINKED TO ZERO TOLERANCE GROUP (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The prime minister's chief drug adviser served as a director for a
radical zero tolerance drug foundation which sought money from the
federal government, it was reported today. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The ABC's Four Corners said Australian National Council of Drugs
(ANCD) chairman Brian Watters joined the board of the radical
Freedom from Drugs Foundation in June 2000. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The foundation was based on the ideas of Swedish abstinence
organisation Hassela, which promotes prison terms for addicts who do
not comply with treatment. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Major Watters told the ABC he was no longer involved with the foundation and while he never formally disclosed his directorship to the ANCD, he had been open with fellow council members about it. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But several members said he had never mentioned it to them, the ABC
reported. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(24) TWO ARMY OFFICERS SENT TO DEATH ROW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Two army officers and a civilian were sentenced to death yesterday
after the Criminal Court found them guilty of possessing 40,000
methamphetamine pills with intent to sell. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The civilian's sentence was commuted to life in prison because he
confessed. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(25) DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT TO GET MORE BITE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
UNDER an amendment to the Dangerous Drugs Act, those arrested on suspicion of drug taking can be fined up to RM10,000 and jailed up to four years if they fail to provide a urine sample for testing. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Another amendment will allow police officers above the rank of
sergeant or Customs officers to require an arrested person to
provide a urine sample if it is not possible for a medical officer
to do so within a reasonable period. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
One Strike for the Poor and How Many for the Rest of Us? | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Robert Hornstein, Treena Kaye, and Daniel Atkins Legal Times | ||||||||||||||||||||
http://www5.law.com/lawcom/displayid.cfm?state=dc&statename=DC&id=92604&table=news&flag=full | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
THE WAR ON PAIN RELIEF | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Cletus Nelson | ||||||||||||||||||||
The DEA's ongoing efforts to ruin the practices of the remaining
doctors who will treat chronic pain patients scores yet another
victim | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Students For Sensible Drug Policy Midwest Conference | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Towards a Sensible Drug Policy: Educating, Empowering and
Encouraging Reform," will be held April 13-14 at Loyola University
in Chicago. The conference will be preceded by a Protest against the
Higher Education Act Friday, April 12 at 11:30 a.m. at the Thompson
Center in Downtown Chicago. | ||||||||||||||||||||
For information, click on "2nd Midwest Regional Conference" at | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
NORML SITE REDESIGNED | ||||||||||||||||||||
NORML is pleased to announce that we have today launched a newly redesigned web site, at the same address (www.norml.org). | ||||||||||||||||||||
This site has a fresh look, but also should make it easier for visitors
to find the information they are looking for. | ||||||||||||||||||||
This was a massive undertaking and there will undoubtedly be a number
of small fixes required on the new site. We ask that you send us a note
letting us know if you run into a page that fails to load, a bad link,
or other corrections that need attention. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Please send corrections to Kris Krane at . | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thanks, and let us know what you think of the new site. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Submitted by Keith Stroup | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
MAP NEEDS YOUR FEEDBACK | ||||||||||||||||||||
MAP recently received a number of "cease and desist" demands from
various newspapers and chains complaining about the inclusion of their
articles in the MAP news library. As a result we were temporarily
forced to excerpt articles for 81 newspapers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
We are asking all those who use the MAP archive and services to inform
us on the effect this excerpting has had (or would have if it was
expanded further) on your ability to meet your mission and objectives.
Are you less likely or less able to write an effective LTE for
excerpted articles? Does it impact your research capabilities? Does it
undermine the efforts and capabilities of local groups where the local
newspapers have been excerpted? Are there other reasons excerpted
articles hamper your efforts or that of others? | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
LETTER OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
DRUG ABUSE | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Maia Szalavitz | ||||||||||||||||||||
You have fallen prey to the lies of American anti-drug propagandists
('Epidemic fear as "hillbilly heroin" hits UK streets', News, last
week). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Oxycodone is considered a moderate opiate - half as strong as
heroin, not stronger as you state. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Oxycontin, when misused, can give a heroin-like high because the
dose of Oxycodone in Oxycontin is 10 times that in the typical
tablets people have been getting for dental pain for years without
hysteria or heightened addiction. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Grinding up and snorting or injecting ordinary Oxycodone as your
article suggests will sorely disappoint thrill-seekers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Oxycontin is designed as a time-release drug for people in serious
pain. The fact that some, with encouragement from stories like
yours, misuse it does not make it a particularly deadly drug. In
fact, most of the overdose deaths mentioned (and those in general)
result not from opiates alone but from those drugs in combination
with alcohol or other 'downs'. The Oxycontin scare in the U.S. is as
much a product of the media as it is a genuine 'epidemic'; few of
the people who became addicted here were taking it for legitimate
reasons in the first place. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Is it really a surprise that people who already abuse drugs will
seek the latest 'stronger than heroin' substance? | ||||||||||||||||||||
Maia Szalavitz, | ||||||||||||||||||||
New York | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Honorable Mention Letter of the Week | ||||||||||||||||||||
THE DEA'S WAR
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
LETTER WRITER OF THE MONTH - March: | ||||||||||||||||||||
This month we recognize Kirk Muse. During March we archived 15 published
letters by Kirk, bringing his total in our published letter archives to
100. You can review his fine letters at | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Clubs for Medical Cannabis | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Jay R. Cavanaugh, Ph.D. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Much has been written about medical patients cooperatives ("clubs") that were formed to assist the sick and dying to obtain safe, effective, and affordable cannabis. The DEA doesn't like such cooperatives and has moved against many in California through injunction, raids, arrests, and intimidation. You see the government has its own ideas about the type of "clubs" patients should experience. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Government has implemented its own version of Clubs for medical
cannabis patients. In a nightmare vision of insensitivity government
clubs involve using virtually every Federal, State and local agency and
office, to beat down the medical cannabis movement, brutalizing
helpless patients in the process. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Here is the situation of a typical medical patient (married with
children) and the "clubs" he/she faces if they choose to attempt to
utilize medical cannabis. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Midnight raids and seizure of all medicine-guns are employed, families terrified, property destroyed or stolen, and innocent people are injured or killed Arrest and mandatory minimums in Federal prison Severe State prison terms-plea bargain with the State or get turned over to the Feds where a medical defense is banned Loss of home and property through asset forfeiture-patients are not just busted but impoverished Loss of any student loans or hope of future loans-forget college Eviction from public housing-move to jail or to the streets Loss of custody of children through the actions of miseducated and brutal Child Protective Services personnel-so much for family values. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Forced participation in coercive "treatment" programs for using less toxic medicine-get labeled "addict" for using cannabis instead of morphine Mandatory drug testing Loss of employment or hope of future employment with any governmental agency-if on probation or parole forget private employers as well even if you could pass the drug tests Forfeiture of public assistance-"Cal Works" and such programs are not for the sick who use medical cannabis Labeling the sick and disabled "terrorists" and murderers in a cynical attempt to counter the legitimate sympathy people feel for those with chronic illness- | ||||||||||||||||||||
This is a government that not only seeks to kill its enemies but eat them as well. When the full weight and authority of the government conspires to crush legitimate medical patients seeking to cope with profound medical challenges, then something is terribly wrong. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Why does the government use such clubs on the innocent? Because it
can. It can because America has surrendered both liberty and
sensibility. We have allowed those we place in power, control over
the most intimate expressions of our personal lives including how we
are to be treated when we are sick. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The government has been polishing its clubs and inventing new ones
for close to 100 years. So long as the clubs only fell on others few
cared. Now the clubs can smash anyone they want with virtual
impunity. Time to be afraid? Yes, be very afraid but use the fear to
fight. Use the injustice and plight of the sick to get the
government gorilla with its heavy-handed clubs off our collective
backs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Let's get back to the real clubs. Places of empathy and affection
where we can care for one another in the spirit of our shared
cultural and religious values. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
"For the totalitarian mind, adherence to state propaganda does not
suffice: one must display proper enthusiasm while marching in the
parade." - Noam Chomsky | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
DS Weekly is one of the many free educational services DrugSense
offers our members. Watch this feature to learn more about what
DrugSense can do for you. | ||||||||||||||||||||
TO SUBSCRIBE, UNSUBSCRIBE, OR UPDATE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Please utilize the following URLs | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Policy and Law Enforcement/Prison content selection and analysis by Stephen Young (), Cannabis/Hemp content selection and analysis by Philippe Lucas (), International content selection and analysis by Doug Snead (), Layout by Matt Elrod () | ||||||||||||||||||||
We wish to thank all our contributors, editors, NewsHawks and letter writing activists. Please help us help reform. Become a NewsHawk See http://www.mapinc.org/hawk.htm for info on contributing clippings. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is
distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior
interest in receiving the included information for research and
educational purposes. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
MAKE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO DRUGSENSE ON-LINE | ||||||||||||||||||||
-OR- | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mail in your contribution. Make checks payable to MAP Inc. send your
contribution to: | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Media Awareness Project (MAP) Inc. |
 | current issue | this issue |