| July 11, 2003 #308 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Table of Contents
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THIS JUST IN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) THAI SOLIDARITY: DRUG USER ACTIVISTS TACKLE THE THAI TERROR (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
"End the drug war now" say needle nymphs in New York, methed-up
militants in Moscow, direct-action druggists in Darwin, cranked-out
campaigners in Canberra and global goodie-gobblers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
On June 12, drug user activists, non-user supporters of drug law
reform and human rights campaigners came together in cities around
the globe to protest the Thai government's drug war. | ||||||||||||||||||||
More than 2000 drug users and "dealers" have been killed in the
six-month campaign. Children and family members of targeted users
have died or been badly maimed by getting caught in the line of
fire. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Police monitoring and early morning raids have touched the lives of
around 40,000 Thais. The government is forcing people, without
trial, into what it calls "detoxification and rehabilitation". Users
are subjected to torturous, generally unmedicated, withdrawals -- at
one "camp" users were kept chained by their hands and feet 24 hours
a day, for a month. | ||||||||||||||||||||
For years, drug users have been fighting for social justice, better
health services, law reform and an end to the US-led war on drug
users. When users around the world face abuses as severe as the
situation in Thailand, we know the chances of similar atrocities
being visited on us are higher. We will offer solidarity to our
brothers and sisters overseas, knowing it will be returned for our
struggles. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(2) POISON TO BE ADDED TO SHABU? (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
HERE'S an unsolicited advice from a town mayor to help stop the drug
problem in the country: All shabu confiscated by the police must be
poisoned to prevent the illegal drug from being "resold" in the
market. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
"When the confiscated shabu is poisoned, it can no longer be sold in
the market. But if the poisoned shabu still finds its way into the
market, the one using it may die and this could generate a story in
the media. Shabu users would then be afraid to use shabu again
because they too, may die," the mayor said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
He added that he has told President Macapagal-Arroyo about the
proposal, telling her the government need not spend P1 billion to
fight the illegal drug problem in the country. | ||||||||||||||||||||
He did not say if the President was amenable to the idea. "We won't
even need one hundred million pesos because people would be afraid
to die. When nobody uses shabu anymore, there will be glut of the
illegal drug in the market and the price will plunge. So those
engaged in the trade would no longer find it profitable and the
trade will die," the mayor explained. | ||||||||||||||||||||
He said he has brought out the idea with anti-drug enforcement
authorities during a meeting in Malacanang last Saturday, and it was
agreed that they would ask a chemist to find what kind of poison to
add to confiscated shabu. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cyanide is out of the question because when that poisons touches the
foil used in inhaling shabu, it explodes. "We are still looking for
a poison that could be added to shabu," the mayor said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(3) BUSH ESCALATES MARIJUANA WAR (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Supreme Court Asked to Sanction Doctors Who Recommend Pot | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Bush administration, pressing its campaign against state medical
marijuana laws, has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to let federal
authorities punish California doctors who recommend pot to their
patients. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The administration would revoke the federal prescription licenses of
doctors who tell their patients marijuana would help them, a
prerequisite for obtaining the drug under the state's voter-approved
medical marijuana law. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Justice Department lawyers this week asked the high court to take up
the issue in its next term, which begins in October. The department
is appealing a ruling by an appellate court in San Francisco that
said the proposed penalties would violate the freedom of speech of
both doctors and patients. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(4) BUSH ADMINISTRATION ENLISTS FAITH GROUPS TO FIGHT DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Bush administration's latest effort to expand
the role of religious organizations in government services enlists
church-based youth groups in anti-drug programs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Office of National Drug Control Policy is offering guides,
brochures and a Web site to provide information for leaders of
religious youth groups to use in teaching - or preaching - a message
against using drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Religious institutions are an enormously powerful influence on
young people," said John P. Walters, director of the office,
yesterday. "A lot of faith-based communities don't know how to talk
about drug use. There's a need for a tool like this." | ||||||||||||||||||||
A study published in March by the American Psychological Association
found that teenagers were less likely to use marijuana if they
thought religion was important to their lives. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Joining Walters to tout the new initiative were representatives from
Christian, Jewish and Islamic organizations. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Our churches must be a vehicle through which valuable information can be disseminated," said Brenda Girton-Mitchell, associate general secretary for public policy for the National Council of Churches. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Critics of the administration's religious initiatives said spiritual
groups are already fighting drug use among their members, and don't
need the federal government to get involved. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (5-8) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Not sovereignty, nor human rights abuses, nor its own policies will
keep the Bush administration from prosecuting the international drug
war. Administration officials are still hyperventilating over
Canada's so-called marijuana decriminalization plan, even though the
plan really doesn't represent significant reform. Yet another ONDCP
official has been dispatched to Ottawa to explain the nuances of the
U.S. position: repressive drug war = good; anything else = bad, bad,
bad. | ||||||||||||||||||||
American taxpayers will continue to fund alleged anti-drug efforts
in Colombia despite another year of human rights abuses. And while
the White House announced a cut-off of military aid to any country
that doesn't exempt U.S. soldiers from an international criminal
court, that cut-off apparently will not affect anti-drug funds going
to both Colombia and Belize. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ironically, while trying to maintain the drug war around the world,
the feds appear to be losing control within their own borders. A
judge in Alaska last week dismissed marijuana possession conviction
based on an old ruling by the Alaskan Supreme Court. Some observers
said the ruling is a signal that marijuana possession could be legal
again in the state. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(5) U.S. BRINGS ANTI-POT MESSAGE TO OTTAWA (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
A leading U.S. anti-drug campaigner is expected to warn Canadian
officials Tuesday that marijuana decriminalization could be viewed
as a threat that, in the post-Sept. 11 world, might provoke stricter
border controls. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Barry Crane, deputy director for supply reduction at the White House
Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), is in Ottawa Tuesday
for meetings with federal government officials. He is the latest of
a series of high-level representatives to criticize Canadian efforts
to change course in the struggle against drug use. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Any time we look at potentials for liberalizing or decriminalizing
drugs, whether it be north of our border or south of our border,
we're going to be concerned about increased trafficking," Jennifer
de Vallance, a spokeswoman at the ONDCP, told globeandmail com from
Washington. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Clearly any threat to the United States or any potential for an
increase amount of marijuana trafficking into the United States will
force U.S. officials to take a look at the protective measures they
have on the border and if and how they have to increase those
measures." | ||||||||||||||||||||
The gradual trend toward marijuana decriminalization in Canada has
caused an increasingly agitated response from Washington, even as
Ottawa has tried to soothe their fears. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(6) POWELL APPROVES AID IN COLOMBIA'S FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRADE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON - Citing Colombia's efforts to sever its ties with
paramilitary forces and curtail human rights abuses, Secretary of
State Colin Powell Tuesday paved the way for Colombia's armed forces
to receive $31.6 million in aid for its ongoing battle against drug
trafficking. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Powell's certification that Colombia has met standards set by
Congress -- part of an annual process required by law to release
funds to the massive U.S. assistance program, Plan Colombia -- drew
immediate criticism from Amnesty International and Human Rights
Watch. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Although the amount certified Tuesday represents only a small
portion of overall U.S. assistance to that nation, the implicit
endorsement of Colombia's human rights efforts sparked a barrage of
criticism from the rights groups, which have long complained of
blatant abuses in a country where thousands die each year as a
result of politically motivated attacks. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
''If our funds are going to military personnel who are directly
engaged in human rights violations or are in collaboration with
paramilitaries who are committing human rights abuses, the money
should be cut off,'' Eric Olson, of Amnesty International, said in a
telephone interview. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Human Rights Watch also issued a statement condemning the
certification. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Both organizations also said the certification was hypocritical in light of the recent suspension of military aid to Colombia and 34 other countries that have yet to sign an immunity agreement shielding Americans from prosecution before an International Criminal Court. Negotiations continue with the affected nations, including Colombia, which risks losing $5 million this fiscal year. | ||||||||||||||||||||
''When the U.S. perceives that the human rights of U.S. military personnel is at stake, they will cut off funds, but not when the human rights of Colombians are at stake,'' said Olson of Amnesty. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(7) U.S. CUTS PROGRAMS IN BELIZE, BUT KEEPS ANTI-DRUG PROGRAM (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The United States of America has decided to discontinue military aid
to 35 countries of which 6 are CARICOM nations including Belize for
not signing Article 98 agreements constituting the International
Criminal Court (ICC). | ||||||||||||||||||||
The ICC was created, with U.S. consent under former President Bill Clinton, under a 1998 United Nations treaty to prosecute those responsible of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity against nationals of countries unwilling or unable to try the cases. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Article 98 agreements would protect U.S. Military and citizens of
war-crimes prosecution. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
"As I understand it, the counter-narcotics program in Belize will
not be affected," stated Embrey. The United States Drug Enforcement
Agency (DEA) along with other U.S. sponsored agencies will remain in
Belize to fight narco-traffickers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(8) JUDGE DISMISSES POT CONVICTION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
A Fairbanks judge ruled the Alaska Constitution guarantees a local man the right to possess marijuana for personal use in his home. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In a decision rendered last week, Superior Court Judge Richard Savell dismissed the Fairbanks man's conviction for pot possession, ruling that a 1975 Alaska Supreme Court decision legalizing personal marijuana use by an adult in their home is still the law. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Savell agreed with arguments made by an attorney for Scott A.
Thomas, 42, who was charged with three counts of felony | ||||||||||||||||||||
The case went to trial in May and the jury found Thomas guilty of
one count of a misdemeanor charge of sixth-degree misconduct
involving a controlled substance for possessing 2.6 ounces of
marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Lawyer Bill Satterberg immediately filed a motion for Savell to
dismiss the guilty verdict based on an argument that the law under
which Thomas was convicted was not constitutional as determined by
the controversial 1975 state Supreme Court decision made in Ravin v.
State. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The decision made it legal for adults to possess marijuana in their homes for personal consumption as long as the amount of the drug didn't exceed enough to constitute "an intent to deliver." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Jim McLain, a legal clerk in Satterberg's law office who drafted the
motion for dismissal, called the decision significant. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"My understanding of it is that if Ravin is still the law, then marijuana is still legal," said McLain, a former attorney. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (9-12) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Does the federal drug war help lead to civil unrest in places like
Benton Harbor, Michigan? A former Baltimore cop made a convincing
case in the Washington Post last week. He noted that while outsiders
tend to see drug crackdowns as good for troubled communities, the
crackdowns can lead to resentment and hostility within those
communities. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In Hawaii, the state's Lt. Governor wants is upset that
constitutional due process is getting in the way of drug courts. He
wants people arrested for drugs to be immediately diverted to drug
court programs - no plea, no defense, no trial. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other unorthodox uses of police for the war on drugs were
highlighted around the country last week. In Missouri, a landlord at
a subsidized apartment complex hired off-duty police from a private
company to perform drug searches throughout the complex. The
landlord didn't understand why residents were upset. And in Kansas,
a local sheriff is using federal funds to his own little televised
propaganda campaign. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(9) VICTIMS OF THE WAR ON DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
In 1998 the Drug Enforcement Administration sent its Mobile
Enforcement Team into Benton Harbor, Mich., while state troopers
patrolled the crime-ridden streets. With 42 arrests, the DEA struck
a major blow at the drug ring responsible for some 90 percent of
violent crime in the city. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In congressional testimony the following year, the DEA boasted:
"After the intervention of law enforcement officers. . . . Benton
Harbor was being brought back to life. . . . They brought a sense of
stability to the area." | ||||||||||||||||||||
This was wishful thinking. Not only has there been no lasting effect on the drug trade, resentment of outside law enforcement in Benton Harbor recently has exploded into riots. Residents of the crime-ridden and depressed city see police as an occupying force. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Outsiders find it hard to believe that residents of dangerous
communities -- those most in need of police services -- can be
anti-police. Our drug laws create this paradox. | ||||||||||||||||||||
I policed ground zero in our "war" on drugs on the streets of
Baltimore. Police in such circumstances, myself included, do the
best they can. But faced with constant levels of drug-related
violence and hostility, one should not expect the model for Officer
Friendly. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(10) AIONA WANTS DRUG COURT REFERRALS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING ARRESTS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
HONOLULU -- Lt. Gov. James ''Duke'' Aiona wants people arrested for
drug-related crimes put immediately and involuntarily into the Drug
Court process, despite constitutional holdings that a person is
innocent until proved guilty. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The tough proposal from the former Circuit Court judge came Thursday
as he outlined the goals for the Lingle administration's three-day
summit in mid-September to develop a strategy to combat illegal drug
use and underage use of alcohol. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Drug Court program now involves people who have admitted to
their crimes, Aiona said at a news conference in the governor's
office. | ||||||||||||||||||||
''What I would like to do is have it move up one more step, in other
words, not waiting until someone enters a plea'' or is about to be
tried, he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(11) LANDLORD ORDERS SEARCHES FOR DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tenants say their rights were violated, but the landlord says he was
entitled. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Johnathan Porter, 19, was sleeping Tuesday morning when he heard knocking at his front door. Porter looked out the window and saw his landlord, a private patrol officer and a German shepherd. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"The officer told me the dog took a liking to my door," Porter said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Porter said he was told the dog, a certified canine narcotic
handler, sniffed and scratched the green front door, which indicated
the dog smelled narcotics in the apartment at Columbia Square
Townhomes. | ||||||||||||||||||||
When the officer asked Porter if he could search the apartment,
Porter told him "no." Porter said that's when he was given a choice:
If he didn't allow the search, he would be sent to court for the
proper procedures - possibly eviction. When Porter heard the word
eviction, he signed a consent form to let them search. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tenants at the 128-unit complex, even those who did not have their
apartment searched, are angry because they said their rights were
violated. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(12) METH USERS GET WARNING FROM SHERIFF ON TV (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
COLUMBUS, Kan. - An advertisement airing on a local television station begins with the words "Methamphetamine can open doors." | ||||||||||||||||||||
It shows a needle piercing a vein. The next scene shows two men
sitting at a dining-room table with children. Then comes a
voice-over, "Let's hope it's not yours," as gung-ho police storm
into the house, arrest the men and remove the children. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The final scene encourages viewers to call Cherokee County Sheriff
Bob Creech or local police if they suspect methamphetamine use in
their neighborhoods. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Creech said the television ad was paid for with part of a $222,000
grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to help eliminate meth use
in the county. The grant allocated $24,000 for public awareness,
which includes the ad. Creech said the Justice Department approved
the script. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (13-16) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The decision, forced by the courts, of Health Canada to supply
medicinal cannabis, or seeds, to requesting patients tops the news
this week. But it would take a dozen news clippings to gather all
the facts so far. So we selected only one editorial. What we know is
that patients can make the requests, the price is reported to be
about half street price, and deliveries will be made through their
doctors. But the Canadian Medical Association recommends doctors not
take part, the cannabis strength is less than could have been
supplied - requiring more medicine, and Health Canada hopes a court
appeal will let them stop. Oh, and the RCMP wants law enforcement to
have a list of all the folks who are authorized to grow, and where -
as if law enforcement is going to suddenly not act like U.S. DEA
agents when they have raided cannabis patients they knew were
properly approved in the past. Patient reactions are mixed but
likely to become negative as they understand how shallow this action
is. Health Canada needs to give up trying to fight what the large
majority of voting Canadians - not just patients and their doctors -
believe, that cannabis is good medicine. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In Winnipeg Marc Emery was arrested as part of his multi-city tour to start test legal cases to force provinces outside Ontario to acknowledge that the federal possession law no longer exists as a result of the Rogin decision which nullified the federal law. But there is no way you would know reading the Winnipeg Sun article that Marc was there for a purpose much more clear cut than blowing smoke. | ||||||||||||||||||||
If anybody still doubts it, the federal appeal of Ed Rosenthal's
sentence is proof that Attorney General John Ashcroft believes that
the drug war - and all the jobs it supports - will end if any
medical cannabis case fails to result in years of hard time behind
bars. What the voting public or the medical community thinks does
not count. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Finally, the Australian state New South Wales plan to start a
medical cannabis program was put on hold while they decide if it is
not more moral to simply arrest patients for using a medicine they
know works. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(13) GIVING A GRACELESS OKAY TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Like a recalcitrant teenager ordered to do her homework or lose her
TV privileges, Health Minister Anne McLellan has waited until the
last possible moment to make medical marijuana available to
Canadians, as directed by the courts. She and her department have
dragged their feet in a number of ways over the past few years,
trying to avoid this decision -- arguing that the medical benefits
of marijuana are inconclusive and that the product delivered by a
contractor didn't meet quality tests (if only all dealers were so
conscientious). Now, they can delay no longer. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Yesterday marked the deadline set by Ontario Superior Court Justice
Sidney Lederman in January, when he ruled that Ottawa's regulations
on access to medical marijuana were unconstitutional. In effect, he
said the government had placed terminal cancer patients, people with
AIDS, epileptics and others in a Catch-22: It was legal to use
marijuana for medical purposes, but there was no legal way to get
it. "Laws which put seriously ill, vulnerable people in a position
where they have to deal with the criminal underworld to obtain
medicine they have been authorized to take violate the | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ottawa's record on this issue is not something to be proud of. It is
a cavalcade of misinformation, lame excuses, delaying tactics and
outright obstinacy that goes back more than six years. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
In his January ruling, Judge Lederman gave the government six months
to provide access to legal marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
And what did the department do? It devoted most of its efforts to an
appeal. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Last month, the Ontario Court of Appeal refused to suspend the
ruling, saying Judge Lederman had postponed the date on which his
decision would take effect "to enable something to be done, not to
enable an appeal to be completed." Finally, at the 12th hour, Health
Canada announced that about 1,650 packets of marijuana were ready to
be shipped and that the 582 patients who are entitled to use it
could have theirs within a week. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ms. McLellan is clearly doing so under protest, however. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Even as it announced its plan, Health Canada warned that "this interim policy can be amended or suspended at any time," and it is still appealing the Lederman ruling. The minister argues that marijuana has not been shown to have medical benefits; but it has not been shown to have any life-threatening effects, either. | ||||||||||||||||||||
If patients who are terminally or chronically ill believe that it
eases their pain, and the courts have agreed that they should be
provided with it, why has the Health Minister done everything she
can to deny them that right? | ||||||||||||||||||||
It's a shame the government had to be dragged kicking and screaming
into complying with a legal decision rendered six years ago, and
that Ms. McLellan seems determined to dig her heels in until the
bitter end. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(14) POT PRINCE POPPED (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Marijuana Crusader Emery Busted For Cop-Shop Toke | ||||||||||||||||||||
Drop That Enormous Bong, You're Under Arrest. | ||||||||||||||||||||
B.C. marijuana activist Marc Emery was taken into custody yesterday
afternoon after taking a hoot off a giant water pipe during the
Winnipeg leg of his Great Canadian Smokeout tour. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The self-proclaimed Canadian Prince of Pot lit the device outside
the police force's Princess Street headquarters. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Emery knows police were going to make a martyr out of him. That's
the ugly truth," said Chris Buors, a Winnipeg member of the
Marijuana Party of Canada. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"But he's an old hand at it," Buors said. "Jail only scares people
who haven't been there. To put people in a cage because of a plant
is ugly." | ||||||||||||||||||||
A crowd of about 50 gathered in front of police headquarters to hear
Emery's message. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Yesterday's rally kicked off Emery's Summer of Legalization Tour, which includes similar rallies in cities across the country. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(15) FEDS TARGET ROSENTHAL (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Still licking their wounds, federal prosecutors have fired another
shot at freed grass guru Ed Rosenthal, appealing the light sentence
that let the convicted medical pot grower walk away a free man last
month. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The motion, filed late Thursday in the Ninth Circuit Court of
Appeals, does not go into any detail about the grounds of appeal,
according to Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Jacobs, who
would not comment on why the Department of Justice decided to appeal
the sentence. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rosenthal, who despite getting zero jail time is appealing the
felony conviction, said the government's appeal was "not
surprising." | ||||||||||||||||||||
"They are wasting more taxpayers' money trying to put me in prison
for this," said Rosenthal. "It would be absurd, if it were not so
serious." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Golden Gate University law school dean Peter Keane said the
government usually appeals sentencing only when it falls outside of
sentencing guidelines, which Rosenthal's did not. He suggested the
appeal would not get very far. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I think the Ninth Circuit is going to knock that appeal down
quicker that you can knock down a stack of cards on your desk," said
Keane. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Keane said the San Francisco United States Attorney's office is
being pressured to take a stand by the U.S. Justice Department,
which does not recognize medicinal uses of pot. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"The U.S. Attorney got its marching orders from Washington, as a
matter of course," he said. "(Attorney General John) Ashcroft is
very idealistic on the subject of marijuana and medical marijuana
and wants the U.S. Attorney to emphasize the fact that they don't
like it." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(16) MEDICAL CANNABIS BILL DELAYED: CARR (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Preliminary legislation to allow the medical use of cannabis has
been delayed until the next session of parliament because of its
complexity, NSW Premier Bob Carr said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The government must overcome many difficult legal and moral issues
before the trial can go ahead, including how to control the supply
of medicinal cannabis. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mr Carr announced in May the government would set up a four-year
trial to allow the medical use of cannabis to alleviate the chronic
suffering of people with severe pain. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
International News | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (17-20) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Summary executions of drug users by death squads are occurring in
the Philippines, after calls by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to
step up the government's campaign against drug "pushers." Following
the pattern recently seen in Thailand, where earlier this year over
2000 people were been slain by government death squads in the name
of the drug war, official pronouncements in the Philippines spur
"vigilantes" into action. Summary executions of those suspected of
involvement with drugs "would serve as a deterrent and would lessen
if not eradicate" drug distribution, optimistic officials
proclaimed. Other Philippine officials sounded timid notes of
restraint, "Democracy demands that due process in practised,"
declared Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Maranon. Another official,
walking a fine line, stated "grave" vigilantism would not be
tolerated in the hunt for "drug lords." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Australian Greens last week urged that the harm reduction measure of
safe-injecting rooms be opened in the state of Queensland. The call
follows an independent report of the Sydney injection facility.
Noting the success of the Sydney Kings Cross injection center in
saving lives, Greens leader Drew Hutton said a similar | ||||||||||||||||||||
The UK Guardian this week revealed that Britain has been covertly increasing military aid to the Alvaro Uribe regime in Colombia. The Guardian reported that the elite Special Air Service (SAS) had trained Colombian drug police; other units help set up an intelligence center and a "joint intelligence committee." British military officials refused to say how much is being spent on the Colombian drug war, because of the catch-all of "national security." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(17) VIGILANTES KILL ANEW IN PAMPANGA (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
SAN FERNANDO CITY -- Vigilantes targeting illegal drug traffickers
gunned down two more suspected drug pushers on Thursday night in
Arayat and Candaba towns. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
There are now four such incidents in the province in only a span of
16 days, beginning last June 17, when 10 unidentified armed men shot
and killed 47-year-old Rufino Pangilinan Castro, in Barangay Pulung
Gubat, also in Candaba. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sources said that a vigilante group or groups targeting notorious illegal drug traffickers in the province perpetrated the killings. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Candaba police chief Senior Insp. Santiago Rodriguez stressed that
they do not tolerate the activity of the members of the vigilante
group. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Nonetheless, the police chief said the incident "would serve as a
deterrent and would lessen if not eradicate the illegal drug
transaction in this town." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rodriguez further said that the PNP would adhere to the call of
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to intensify the government's
campaign against drug pushers as the police officers here are
conducting man hunt operations against suspected drug pushers and
users in this town. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(18) 'WE WON'T TOLERATE LIQUIDATIONS' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The President has been explicit in saying that grave vigilantism is
not going to be tolerated, 303rd IB commanding officer Col. Victor
Ibrado said yesterday in reaction to the liquidation of suspected
drug lords and policemen linked to the illegal drug trade in Nueva
Ecija by alleged members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex
Boncayao Brigade. | ||||||||||||||||||||
He said he will not tolerate such activity by the RPA in Negros
Occidental. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In reaction to the liquidation claim, Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph
Maranon yesterday said only God can take man's life. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Democracy demands that due process in practised, he | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Maranon and PNP provincial police director Vicente Ponteras said
they welcome the help of any person or groups in the campaign
against prohibited drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Any information to be provided by the RPA that may lead to the
arrest of persons engaged in the illegal drug trade, will boost our
anti-drug campaign, Ponteras said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(19) CALLS FOR QUEENSLAND INJECTING ROOMS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
THE Greens today called for heroin injecting rooms to be opened in
Queensland on the back of a successful trial in Sydney. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The call follows an independent review of Australia's only
medically-assisted heroin injection room at Kings Cross in Sydney
which opened 18 months ago. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The review credited the centre with saving lives, and found more than 550 drug overdoses had been treated without a single fatality. | ||||||||||||||||||||
It further recorded no increase in drug-related crime or drug
dealing in the Kings Cross area. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Queensland Greens convenor Drew Hutton said the NSW and ACT
governments were considering extending the trial and urged
Queensland to do likewise. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Such a centre in Brisbane would undoubtedly save the lives of many
Queensland intravenous drug users who were at risk from unsupervised
injections," Mr Hutton said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
He said the report would "debunk the hysteria of the | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(20) SECRET AID POURED INTO COLOMBIAN DRUG WAR (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Continuing human rights abuses have not hindered flow of equipment
and advice to Bogota | ||||||||||||||||||||
Britain is secretly stepping up military assistance to Colombia as
the war on drug trafficking becomes increasingly entangled in the
effort to defeat leftwing guerrillas and drive them back to the
negotiating table. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Despite continuing reports of serious abuses by the security forces
and the concerns of human rights groups about President Alvaro
Uribe's tactics, Tony Blair has encouraged the Foreign Office to
hold an international conference on support for Colombia, beginning
today. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Whitehall refuses to disclose the extent of British military
involvement on the grounds of national security. "We provide some
military aid but we don't talk about the details," a Foreign Office
spokeswoman said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But a Guardian investigation can identify a number of key areas of
UK support. | ||||||||||||||||||||
- SAS training of the narcotics police, the Fuerza | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Military advice to the army's new counter-guerrilla mountain
units. | ||||||||||||||||||||
- A surge in the supply of military hardware and intelligence
equipment. | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Assistance in setting up an intelligence centre and a joint
intelligence committee. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The UK is now the second biggest donor of military aid to Colombia,
a security analyst with close ties to the Colombian defense ministry
has suggested. "The British like to keep a low profile here," he
said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unusually, the Foreign Office confirmed four years ago that Britain
had given training and advice on urban warfare techniques,
counter-guerrilla strategy and "psychiatry". | ||||||||||||||||||||
Since then ministers have admitted training the Colombian narcotics
police but declined to elaborate on grounds of "national security".
One of the reasons for their reticence is the role of the SAS, whose
activities are never formally acknowledged. Sent by Mrs. Thatcher in
1989 to fight the drug cartels, they are believed to have extended
their role to counter-insurgency training. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Drug Czar Won't Face Protestors | ||||||||||||||||||||
Loretta Nall and Anita Mayfield of the U.S. Marijuana Party travel to Guntersville, Alabama hoping to question the propaganda Czar John Walters. However, Walter's show his true colors when he cancels the planned question and answer period and beats a hasty retreat. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Ethical Failure Of Cannabis Prohibition | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Richard Cowan at marijuananews.com | ||||||||||||||||||||
"...it was left to Health Canada to plumb the depths of intellectual
and moral self-degradation. In keeping with that bureaucracy's
practice of waiting until the last day legally allowed to pretend to
obey a court order, yesterday they announced a phony medical
cannabis-program that is so transparently unworkable that it will
probably be rejected by the courts, again. " | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Interim Policy for the Provision of Marihuana Seeds and Dried
Marihuana Product for Medical Purposes in Canada | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Canadians and Cannabis In Depth | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
CBC's Current On Medical Marijuana | ||||||||||||||||||||
http://www.salvagingelectrons.com/drugradio/cbc-current-20030708-medmj.ram | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Canadians for Safe Access Press Conference, Parliament Hill, July 9th | ||||||||||||||||||||
Participants included Bloc MP Real Menard, NDP MP Libby Davies, Senator Claude Nolin, Alison Myrden, Dom Cramer and Boris St-Maurice | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Footage of Marc Emery at the Winnipeg Protest where He Was Arrested | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Cultural-Baggage Radio Show, Tuesday July 08, 2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Jeff Blackburn | ||||||||||||||||||||
As the defense attorney for the bulk of the Tulia residents arrested
by the word of the now discredited narcotics task force officer Tom
Coleman, Jeff Blackburn nobly defended and eventually freed the 39
black residents that were imprisoned by this sting. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Next up, Tuesday July 15, U.S. CONGRESSMAN RON PAUL | ||||||||||||||||||||
We will discuss the federal governments bully tactics in state and
local government and his ongoing efforts to pass a federal medical
marijuana bill. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
LETTER OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thoughts On America On The Fourth Of July | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Brent O. Saupe | ||||||||||||||||||||
Editor -- As our nation prepares for its annual celebration of
freedom on the Fourth of July, I can't help but notice how far we've
strayed. | ||||||||||||||||||||
It seems that not only are we, as a people, restricted from doing what we individually choose, but we are even restricted from doing what we collectively have chosen to allow by majority vote. | ||||||||||||||||||||
While I may be most offended by the federal government's assault on
legal medical marijuana patients and caregivers right now, it is a
bigger issue. It has been said, "This is about marijuana as much as
the Boston Tea Party was about tea." Americans, if they drink tea or
not, had better start paying attention. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Brent O. Saupe, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
LETTER WRITER OF THE MONTH - June (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
DrugSense recognizes Matthew Hulett of Brick, New Jersey, for his nine
letters published during June, bringing his career total that we know
of to 38. You can read all of Matthew's superb letters by clicking this
link: http://www.mapinc.org/writers/Matthew+Hulett | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sen. Joseph McCarthy: Unrepentant Junkie? | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Stephen Young | ||||||||||||||||||||
Whether you love or hate 1950s communist hunter Joe McCarthy, does
it matter if he was an opiate addict? | ||||||||||||||||||||
McCarthy's life and legacy are back in the spotlight thanks to a new
book by hyperconservative commentator and author Ann Coulter. The
book, "Treason," not only defends McCarthy, but raises him as a
hero. | ||||||||||||||||||||
I'm not really in a position to judge the merit of Coulter's
arguments. I don't know a whole lot about McCarthy, and I haven't
read all of "Treason." | ||||||||||||||||||||
I did, however, skim about 60 pages of the book in small chunks
while loitering in various bookstores. I also checked the index for
certain key words. I didn't find "morphine," "drug" or "Federal
Bureau of Narcotics." | ||||||||||||||||||||
To be fair, I looked in more academic McCarthy biographies available
at my local library, and I didn't find anything tying McCarthy to
morphine there either. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But, different researchers have found support for the proposition that McCarthy regularly used morphine, refused to quit and was eventually given an unlimited supply of the drug by the head of the federal government's drug war. A good discussion of the evidence is presented in John C. McWilliams' biography of Harry J. Anslinger, Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics from 1930-1962. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Anslinger, whose FBN was the predecessor of the DEA, first
publicized the allegation in his book "The Murderers," published in
1961. Granted, any information from Anslinger must be taken with a | ||||||||||||||||||||
But, his curious tale about a hardened morphine addict in the U.S.
Congress has been confirmed by agents who worked under Anslinger,
and the co-author of "The Murderers." | ||||||||||||||||||||
In his book, Anslinger details a confrontation with an unnamed
congressman, after learning the congressman was a regular morphine
user. It clearly wasn't just any congressman. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"He headed one of the most powerful committees of Congress. His
decisions and statements helped to shape and direct the destiny of
the United States and the free world," wrote Anslinger, like
McCarthy, a dedicated anti-communist. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In Anslinger's account, he approached the lawmaker and berated him,
saying the morphine habit was a "grave threat to the country." The
lawmaker remained unmoved, replying that he would go to the street
for drugs if Anslinger interfered with his supply. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"And if it winds up in a public scandal and that should hurt this
country, I wouldn't care," the legislator said, according to
Anslinger. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Anslinger reports relenting and offering the elected official all
the drugs he needed, so long as the politician didn't go to the
street, thereby risking a greater scandal. Anslinger "thanked God
for relieving me of my burden," when the lawmaker died. | ||||||||||||||||||||
After Anslinger's own death, researchers interviewed Anslinger's
associates and pinpointed McCarthy as the likely identity of the
unnamed politician. | ||||||||||||||||||||
It is generally believed that alcoholism killed McCarthy. The
official cause of death was acute hepatitis. McCarthy Biographer
David Oshinski says that years before his death in 1957, McCarthy
downed a quart of liquor a day. Near the end of his life, McCarthy
appeared "in a trance, unable to recognize familiar faces or form
intelligible words." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Anslinger's biographer notes that morphine was sometimes prescribed
as a treatment for alcoholics in the era. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Should Ann Coulter care about any of this? Given her views on drugs and drug users, I think so. A few years ago, Coulter addressed drug policy reform in one of her columns. She was not sympathetic. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"The most superficially appealing argument for drug legalization is
that people should be allowed to do what they want with their own
bodies, even if it ruins their lives," she wrote. "Except that's not
true. Back on Earth, see, we live in a country that will not allow
people to live with their own stupid decisions. Ann has to pay for
their stupid decisions." | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Coulter's own definition, McCarthy made some stupid decisions. Do
these decisions impact her description of him as a hero? Did they
impact his work? Was it wise for Anslinger to let McCarthy live with
his own stupid decisions? Would the world be a better place if
Anslinger had busted McCarthy and treated him like a common
criminal? | ||||||||||||||||||||
I don't know the answers to these questions, but I hope Coulter
might consider them next time someone asks her how society should
deal with drug users who refuse to quit. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen Young is a freelance writer and an editor with DrugSense
Weekly. He promises to actually purchase "Treason" and read the
whole thing if Ann Coulter agrees to buy a copy of his book
"Maximizing Harm: Losers and Winners in the Drug War" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
''I don't like our kids to get in contact with drug dealers and I believe that, well . . . let them have an opportunity to raise two or three marijuana plants and smoke them. It's better than to try to buy it on the streets.'' - Petr Mares, Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1014/a02.html | ||||||||||||||||||||
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