| Dec. 19, 2003 #330 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NOTE TO READERS: DrugSense Weekly will mark the festive season by taking next week off, but we will return with a new edition Jan. 2. The DrugSense staff wishes happy holidays to all our readers and the generous volunteers and contributors who make this work possible. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Table of Contents
| ||||||||||||||||||||
THIS JUST IN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) PAUL MARTIN TO PRESS AHEAD WITH CHRETIEN PLAN TO DECRIMINALIZE POT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
OTTAWA (CP) - Prime Minister Paul Martin says he'll press ahead with
legislation, first proposed under Jean Chretien, to eliminate criminal
penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But he hinted Thursday he'd like to see a new definition of what constitutes a "small amount" and invited a parliamentary committee to consider lowering the limit from the original proposal of 15 grams. Martin told reporters he sees a health risk in pot use and observed that "any doctor will tell you it's far from the best thing for you." | ||||||||||||||||||||
On the central point of the law, however, he insisted that it achieves
"absolutely nothing to give a criminal record to young people caught
with minimal amounts." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I think that one's got to take a look at the fines. I think that you have to take a look the quantities, and I think that there has to be a larger effort against the grow-ops and against those who distribute." | ||||||||||||||||||||
In a yearend interview Thursday with CPAC, the parliamentary public
affairs channel, Martin confided he'd never smoked pot but said his
wife Sheila once made some brownies "and I must say they had a strange
taste." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(2) JACKSON PROTESTS DRUG SWEEP (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
He Said Incident At Goose Creek High School Tarnishes South's Image | ||||||||||||||||||||
NORTH CHARLESTON - Incidents such as a drug sweep during which Goose
Creek Police with weapons drawn ordered students to the floor tarnish
the image the new South is trying to build, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said
Tuesday. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"The South deserves better than this. These images and these events keep us in a gutter," said Jackson, a native of Greenville. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Jackson spoke with reporters before a march to protest the Nov. 5 drug
sweep at Stratford High School which has drawn national attention and
spawned two federal court lawsuits. The march was also to protest the
death of a mentally ill black man while in custody of North Charleston
Police. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(3) SENATOR PROPOSES TAXING ILLEGAL DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Stamp Act Would Allow State To Tap Into Drug Money. | ||||||||||||||||||||
JEFFERSON CITY - Sen. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, has pre-filed a bill targeting the bank accounts of drug dealers in Missouri. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The act requires drug dealers to pay a stamp tax on each gram of
illegal drugs in their possession. The stamps would be purchased
anonymously and be valid for three months. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Shields said he doubts that dealers would even purchase the stamp
should the law pass. And that's the point. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"The idea is not to actually sell the stamps," he said. "But rather to go after the dealers' assets when they are caught without a stamp." | ||||||||||||||||||||
The bill targets drug dealers over individual users because the dealers
typically have larger assets, Shields said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mexican trafficking organizations control a large part of the
distribution of methamphetamines, cocaine, marijuana and heroin in
Missouri, according to the DEA web site. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Should a person be caught with drugs and without a stamp, the
Department of Revenue director can issue a warrant to immediately
collect the amount due with an additional charge of 100 percent of the
amount previously due. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Each gram of marijuana would be subject to a $3.50 tax. Other
controlled substances would be taxed $200 for each gram or portion of a
gram. For drugs not sold by weight, such as Ecstasy, every 50 doses
would be taxed $2,000. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(4) SUPREME COURT TO RULE ON 'RIGHT' TO SMOKE POT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Decision Set For Tuesday In Trio Of Cases | ||||||||||||||||||||
OTTAWA -- Decriminalization of marijuana, an issue pushed to the
political back burner by the departure of Jean Chretien and the arrival
of Prime Minister Paul Martin, is about to be catapulted back into the
headlines by the Supreme Court of Canada. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The court announced yesterday that it will rule next week on a trio of
cases in which the key question is whether federal law violates the
Charter of Rights by mandating criminal penalties, including potential
jail time, for possession of small amounts of pot. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
The cases at issue involve two self-described marijuana activists and one man who was simply unlucky enough to be caught toking up. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Trafficking issues were part of the first two cases, but the central
issue before the Supreme Court was whether possession for personal use
should be a crime. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (5-9) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The biggest news of the week came out of California, where a circuit
court ruled that medical marijuana users do have some constitutional
protections. The story is covered in this week's Cannabis and Hemp
section. Elsewhere, it seems basic constitutional protections to not
apply to the drug war. If you are in the proximity of unclaimed
drugs in a car, be prepared to prove your innocence. The U.S.
Supreme Court ruled last week that any passenger in a car where
unclaimed drugs are found can be arrested. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Free speech isn't safe from the drug war either. The U.S. House of
Representatives has passed a bill that forces local transit systems
to ban ads that encourage drug policy reform, unless they want to
forgo federal funding. Another sign that basic freedoms are fragile:
When representatives from a repressive government see a
demonstration by American police dogs in the U.S. as a highlight of
their visit to the country. | ||||||||||||||||||||
And the scope of drug dog power was increased a bit last week, as a North Carolina school district bought its own drug sniffing dog. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(5) SUPREME COURT RULES ON CAR DRUG SEARCHES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court said on Monday that when police find drugs in a car and no one claims them, it's "reasonable" to arrest all the occupants because everyone could be involved in a crime. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Some criminal justice experts say the court's ruling, a short,
unanimous opinion penned by Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist,
gives the nod to police dragnets that could snare innocent people
with the guilty. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"People get into cars all the time and have no idea what the driver
or someone else may have put in the vehicle," said Tracey Maclin, a
Boston University law professor who wrote a brief for the National
Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in the case. "This will
apply to people like the coed who's at a party late at night and
accepts a ride home from a group of friends. If that car is stopped
and police find drugs, 10 out of 10 police officers will now arrest
everyone to find out whose they are." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(6) HOUSE BANS TRANSIT DRUG-REFORM ADS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Local transit agencies allowing medical-marijuana and other kinds of
drug-reform advertisements would be denied federal funding under a
bill passed Monday by the House of Representatives. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Deep within the $373 billion omnibus spending bill is a paragraph that says no money from the bill can go to any bus, train or subway agency "involved directly or indirectly in any activity that promotes the legalization or medical use of any substance listed in schedule I of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act." | ||||||||||||||||||||
That includes marijuana, which voters in California and nine other states have decided should be available for medical use. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Drug reform advocates call the provision censorship, pure and
simple. Bill Piper, associate director of national affairs for the
Drug Policy Alliance, noted the same bill gives the White House $145
million to run anti-marijuana ads in 2004. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(7) CUSTOMS AGENTS INSPECT U.S. CANINES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The chief of customs for China brought an entourage of customs
directors to Roanoke to see how United States police officers train
their dogs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Chinese customs agents who visited Roanoke on Tuesday as part of a
nationwide tour were interested in the Mill Mountain Star and some
downtown architecture, but they were most impressed with the talents
of Southwest Virginia's police dogs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Xiaow Li, the chief of customs for the People's Republic of China,
brought an entourage of customs directors to Roanoke to see how
United States police officers train their dogs. He said many dogs
are used for airport security in China. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
When Coal, a black Labrador and Roanoke police dog, found some drugs
in a book bag on the first sniff, the visitors exclaimed, "Ahhhh!"
and clapped. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(8) SCHOOLS WILL HAVE DRUG DOG (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
SANFORD - Drug carriers on campuses in Lee County schools will have no place to hide once a trained drug-sniffing dog is on duty. | ||||||||||||||||||||
That day is not too far off, following approval of the purchase of a
dog by the Lee County Board of Education on Monday. | ||||||||||||||||||||
A school resource officer will be trained as its handler and the dog will live at the home of the handler, who has not yet been selected. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The board unanimously approved (with board member Jo Ann Thomas
absent) signing a contract with Tarheel Canine Training Inc. of
Sanford for the dog and training. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (9-12) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Do different people get treated differently in the drug war? A sharp
contrast was displayed in two outrageous cases last week. In
Georgia, an unarmed family man was shot to death by police during
drug search. No drugs were found in the search, and another man at
the scene said police treated suspects like "animals," . In
California, on the other hand, the son of a police chief was cut
loose by police after he was caught smoking marijuana, even though
he was awaiting a trial for rape charges. | ||||||||||||||||||||
And a small bit of sanity was displayed by a North Carolina judge
who dismissed weapons of mass destruction charges against the
alleged operators of a meth lab. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(9) TRAGEDY ON I-185 (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
An unarmed 39-year-old Columbus man was fatally shot by a Muscogee
County Sheriff's Deputy late Wednesday during a drug investigation
after authorities said the man failed to comply with the deputy's
commands. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Kenneth Brown Walker, 39, was pronounced dead shortly before 2:30
a.m. Thursday at The Medical Center of a single gunshot wound to the
head, several hours after he was stopped in a vehicle on Interstate
185. His body was sent to the state crime lab, Muscogee County | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Walker was among three other men riding inside a gray GMC Yukon
allegedly seen Wednesday evening leaving an Armour Road apartment
complex under surveillance for drug activity. The three friends were
not arrested and were later released. As for Walker, Johnson said
authorities later learned there was no information that he was
involved in any kind of criminal activity. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(10) SUV DRIVER RECOUNTS FEAR (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
'We Were Tried And Convicted' Before Any Narcotics Were Found | ||||||||||||||||||||
After he was done speaking a few minutes on the radio show, the caller's voice quaked briefly before he thanked the show's host for allowing him to tell what he saw on a night that turned deadly. | ||||||||||||||||||||
A little more than a day had passed since the young high school
basketball coach was pulled from his SUV in the southbound lanes of
Interstate 185, and forced, with three of his friends, out of the
vehicle and onto the ground. In a matter of minutes, the sound of
rapid gunfire popped in the night air. His friend, Kenneth B. Walker
of Columbus, would later be pronounced dead at The Medical Center of
a gunshot wound to the head. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mostly because of all this, the caller declined to give his name on
the radio Friday morning. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I felt like an animal," he said. It seemed "we were tried and convicted" the moment the men were ordered to exit the vehicle. | ||||||||||||||||||||
When he tried to ask why they were pulled over, he was met with the
response, "Shut up." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(11) 'OUR LITTLE SECRET' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Audio tape reveals cover-up of drug bust involving a sheriff's son
already on trial for a videotaped gang bang | ||||||||||||||||||||
A bombshell audio recording reveals police suppressed evidence that Assistant Sheriff Don Haidl's teenage son was caught smoking marijuana while awaiting trial on charges he participated in a 2002 videotaped gang rape of an unconscious 16-year-old girl. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Official records show that Assistant Sheriff George Jaramillo
secretly ordered Sgt. Richard Downing to bury evidence of Gregory
Scott Haidl's involvement in an Oct. 26 San Clemente drug bust.
Records also prove that Sheriff's Lt. William J. Hunt--chief of
police services in San Clemente, where the sheriff has | ||||||||||||||||||||
Haidl is awaiting a March trial on the rape charges. Under terms of
his $100,000 bail, a drug arrest would have landed the 18-year-old
in jail immediately. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sheriff's Department officials deny they obstructed justice on
Haidl's behalf. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(12) JUDGE OFFICIALLY DISMISSES METH LAB WMD CHARGES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Superior Court Judge James Baker began his written order dismissing
charges against 11 defendants with a quote: | ||||||||||||||||||||
"It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department
to say what the law is." | ||||||||||||||||||||
The quote comes from a 200-year old U.S. Supreme Court case defining
the authority and the duty of the newly established court. Whether
or not Baker's dismissal order will be "what the law is" will be
decided by N.C. appellate courts. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Baker's order, signed Nov. 26, dismissed 15 charges of knowingly storing, manufacturing or possessing a weapon of mass destruction (WMD). The WMD charges against Frederick C. Alderson, Tamberlyn W. Alderson, Christina M. Cox, Gary Joseph Cox, Christopher Lee Greene, Michael F. Laird, Martin D. Miller, Pamela L. Osborne, Jessi B. Rash, Frankie Wayne Taylor and Richard Len Taylor, Sr. were linked to allegations that the charged individuals were in possession of the precursor chemicals for the manufacture of methamphetamine or had been involved in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (13-16) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Great news from California this week as the Appellate Panel from the
9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled 2-1 that the
federal government had no right to prosecute medicinal cannabis
users in states with medicinal cannabis laws as long as it is not
sold across state lines. And in yet another case pitting state law
versus federal authority, the Colorado U.S. Attorney's Office and
the DEA are reviewing a judge's decision that ordered the return of
3 plants, growing equipment and 2 ounces of dried marijuana to a man
who uses it for medicinal purposes. Could this judicial backlash be
the end of the unwarranted federal prosecution of legitimate users
of therapeutic cannabis? | ||||||||||||||||||||
Our third story this week comes from Scotland, where the country's
first cannabis caf=E9 is set to open next month when the British
Parliament downgrades cannabis possession to a non-arrestable
offense. The Purple Haze would operate as a private members club and
would allow members to use cannabis, but would not act as a
supplier. | ||||||||||||||||||||
And lastly a story from Canada about the mainstreaming of cannabis
politics. Dana Larsen, the former leader of the B.C. Marijuana
Party, has decided to run for the next federal election under the
NDP banner, citing new party leader Jack Layton's recent comments
endorsing the legalization of cannabis as the tipping point for his
decision. The long-time editor of Cannabis Culture Magazine will run
for the West-Vancouver-Sunshine Coast seat. With upcoming federal
elections in both the U.S. and Canada this year, DSW urges all of
our readers to register, participate, and educate for a positive and
progressive change in North American drug policy! | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(13) FEDERAL APPEALS COURT OKS MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN SOME CASES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
An appeals court ruled Tuesday that a federal law outlawing
marijuana does not apply to sick people who are allowed to smoke pot
with a doctor's recommendation. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was a blow to
the federal government in its fight against medical marijuana. The
Justice Department has argued that state medical marijuana laws were
trumped by federal drug laws. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The case also underscores the conflict between federal law and
California's 1996 medical marijuana law, which allows people to
grow, smoke or obtain marijuana for medical needs with a doctor's
recommendation. Eight other states have similar laws. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(14) U.S. ATTORNEY, DEA LOOKING INTO COLORADO RULING (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
A Routt County judge's order that 2 ounces of marijuana and growing
equipment should be returned to a man who uses it for medicinal
purposes is being reviewed by the Colorado U.S. Attorney's Office
and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Jeff Dorschner, spokesperson for the Colorado U.S. Attorney's
Office, said Wednesday that the office plans to determine a course
of action within 21 days, the timeframe by which the return of the
marijuana and equipment has been ordered. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"We're reviewing the judge's order; we're consulting with the DEA
and we'll, within the specified time, determine our next steps,"
Dorschner said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(15) FIRST CANNABIS CAFE SET TO TEST NEW LAW IN SCOTLAND (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Scotlands first cannabis cafe is to open for business next month
when the drug is downgraded to class C. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Purple Haze internet cafe, a former greasy spoon in Leith, will become a private members' club in the evenings, where people will be allowed to bring small amounts of their own supply to smoke. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The controversial move will present the first test of how the new
law will be applied in Scotland. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(16) EX-MARIJUANA PARTY LEADER TO RUN FOR NDP IN FEDERAL ELECTION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The former leader of the B.C. Marijuana Party is making another bid
for a seat in the House of Commons in the federal election scheduled
in 2004. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But this time, Dana Larsen - buoyed by federal New Democrat leader Jack Layton's call to legalize marijuana - is planning to run for the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast seat under the NDP banner. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Larsen, who lives in Gibsons, has been the editor of Cannibis
Culture magazine since its inception in 1995. He ran for the federal
Marijuana Party in the 2000 federal election and the B.C. Marijuana
Party in the 2001 provincial vote. | ||||||||||||||||||||
After signing his NDP membership papers Nov. 27 in Powell River, Larsen said he decided to change parties after Layton's declaration that he supports the legalization of marijuana in Canada. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
International News | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (17-20) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
A Thai National Human Rights Commission, set up at the behest of the
Thai king last week, this week reported that five of the 26 killings
investigated were committed by police. Some 2,500 people were killed
shortly after being blacklisted as drug sellers by police last year
in Thailand. Many of the killings are thought to be the work of
police, who are using drug arrest records to locate victims. In the
report, the Rights Commission detailed five such killings which fit
a similar pattern. People were blacklisted by police and killed
shortly after, often subsequent to visiting the police station to
protest the blacklisting itself. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The government of New South Wales, Australia, defended the trial of a supervised injection center in Kings Cross, saying there was no increase in crime around the center, with the benefit that fewer inject in public. Special Minister of State John Della Bosca, reacting to reports that crime was not eliminated after the injecting rooms opened, announced independent evaluators had determined no increase in drug dealing had occurred due to the trial. "It's for me to say whether or not the trial has been a success, we believe it has been a success," Bosca said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In Vancouver last week, Crown prosecutors asked a Provincial Court
judge to sentence six Vancouver Police Department constables to
prison for brutalizing arrestees. Instead of trundling suspects to
the station, hapless arrestees were taken to a deserted park, when
they were systematically beaten by the police officers. Crown
counsel Robert Gourlay requested the judge sentence all of the
officers to some jail time. Observers note that even a short jail
stay would result in the officers' dismissal from the Vancouver
Police Department. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The national director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency,
Anselmo Avenido Jr., last week declared that of a 60 million peso
budget for bounties, only about 5 million pesos (9 percent), had
been released to informants. Would-be snitches are fearful of
putting their lives in danger, according to reports. Still,
convinced that the Philippine drug war came "a long way in solving
the drug menace in the country," Avenido cited increasing busts of
amphetamine labs as evidence "we are on the move to eradicate the
drug problem." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(17) WAR ON DRUGS -- THE VICTIMS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rights Commission Details Five Killings | ||||||||||||||||||||
National Human Rights Commission member Vasant Phanich yesterday detailed at a press conference five killings the commission believes were carried out by police during this year's war on drugs. The commission says the five are among 26 it has investigated. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Case 1: Killed In Coffin Shop | ||||||||||||||||||||
A man was shot point-blank in the head and arm at 6pm on February 11
at a coffin shop in Trang province's central market. Shot in front
of many witnesses, two kilometres from home and just 300 metres from
the police station, he died later at hospital. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The killing was reported as being related to drug trafficking, but
the commission learned that no drugs were found on the man's body or
at the scene. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Police detectives did not bother to check evidence or | ||||||||||||||||||||
Despite the number of eyewitnesses, the investigation has made
absolutely no progress. The commission said police had blacklisted
the victim and his family as drug traffickers and searched their
home six times before the shooting, but found no drugs or anything
illegal and did not have enough evidence to prosecute the man on
drug charges. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Case 2: Shot In Front Of Wife | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(18) MINISTER DEFENDS KINGS CROSS INJECTING ROOMS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The New South Wales Government has defended its Medically Supervised Injecting Centre in Kings Cross, saying since it opened, there has been no increase in crime and fewer users injecting in public. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Special Minister of State John Della Bosca has reacted angrily to a
report in a Sunday paper that around 800 drug deals a day are done
in the area. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mr Della Bosca says the article's view on the drug problem is
absurd, and almost all people with life experience in Sydney know
there has been drug dealing and use in Kings Cross for a very long
time. | ||||||||||||||||||||
He says the Medically Supervised Injecting Room trial was assessed
by independent evaluators who found that the trial caused no
increase in drug dealing. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"It's for me to say whether or not the trial has been a success, we
believe it has been a success, it's been independently evaluated,"
he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"For the Herald to report that there is drug dealing in Kings Cross
reminds me of Claude Rains in Casablanca saying that he was shocked
there was gambling going on in the casino." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(19) JAIL TERM SOUGHT FOR POLICE WHO BEAT SUSPECTS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Even A Short Sentence Would Likely End The Careers Of Six Vancouver
Officers | ||||||||||||||||||||
VANCOUVER -- With their shoulders squared and their chins held high,
six young police officers sat in court yesterday, in seats usually
occupied by the drug dealers they so often busted. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But instead of testifying against accused criminals, this time they
were in the prisoner's box, listening to a Crown prosecutor ask a
Provincial Court judge to sentence them to prison for their part in
the beating of three suspected drug dealers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The six Vancouver Police Department constables have all pleaded
guilty to charges of assault for an incident that took place in
Stanley Park last January, after Jason Desjardins, Barry Lawrie and
Grant Wilson were picked up at Granville Street Mall. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
But instead of taking the three suspects to the police station, the
officers went to Third Beach in Stanley Park, where they pulled them
out of a police wagon in a dark parking lot, one after the other,
and roughed them up. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Crown counsel Robert Gourlay urged the judge to sentence all six
officers to short jail terms, saying a conditional discharge would
not be adequate punishment considering the offence. | ||||||||||||||||||||
He said that although the officers had different levels of
involvement in the assaults, they were part of a group and should
share responsibility equally. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Even a short jail term would likely lead to the expulsion of the six
officers from the Vancouver Police Department. They are currently on
paid leave, awaiting the outcome of their trial and a VPD
disciplinary hearing in January. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The six officers were all part of a team that patrols the downtown
core. Most of their duty, court was told, involved dealing with the
crimes of drug use and drug trafficking. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Gourlay said the six officers heaped verbal abuse on the three
men while shoving and punching them. An officer struck one man once
on his leg with a baton, and another prodded a man with the instep
of his boot. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Leading off for the six defence lawyers, David Crossin, who
represents Constable Gabriel Kojima, urged the court not to hand
down jail sentences. | ||||||||||||||||||||
He said that could lead to dismissal from the VPD, and described
Constable Kojima as a promising young officer who will prove to be a
credit to both the force and the community. | ||||||||||||||||||||
He said Constable Kojima, 25, had been a police officer for only
about a year when the "so-called beating" occurred. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(20) DRUG INFORMANTS HESITANT; HUGE CHUNK BOUNTY UNTOUCHED (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Despite a million-peso bounty, potential informants hesitate to give
information about drug traffickers for fear of putting their lives
in danger. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Anselmo Avenido Jr., national director of the Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency (PDEA), said on Tuesday that of the P62.25
million government budget for bounties, only nine percent or P5.5
million has been released to informants. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Avenido said that despite the low turn of informants, the campaign
against illegal drugs has "come a long way in solving the drug
menace in the country." | ||||||||||||||||||||
"As a result of our intensive campaign, eleven big shabu
laboratories and five big warehouses of chemicals and equipments for
shabu production has been discovered and dismantled by the PDEA.
This is one indicator that we are on the move to eradicate the drug
problem," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
MAMA COCA | ||||||||||||||||||||
On-line academic journal on complexity, conflict and drugs in the
American Region. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
WHERE'S THE COMPASSION? | ||||||||||||||||||||
Forget the war on drugs already / Doug Bandow | ||||||||||||||||||||
On Tuesday the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals barred federal
prosecution of those using marijuana under a doctor's care. Smoking pot
under such circumstances is "different in kind from drug trafficking,"
stated the court: "this limited use is clearly distinct from the
broader illicit drug market." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
POT LUCK | ||||||||||||||||||||
A Victory For Federalism / Jacob Sullum | ||||||||||||||||||||
Roscoe Filburn and Diane Monson both got into trouble with the federal
government because of plants they grew. The future size and shape of
that government hinges on whether those plants were any of its business
- and, if so, why. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
TEEN DRUG ABUSE DECLINES ACROSS WIDE FRONT | ||||||||||||||||||||
Eleven Percent Reduction Exceeds President's Two-Year Goal | ||||||||||||||||||||
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson and John P. Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy, today released results of the 2003 Monitoring the Future survey, showing an 11 percent decline in drug use by 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students over the past two years. | ||||||||||||||||||||
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/news/press03/121903.html | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
JESSE VENTURA'S AMERICA | ||||||||||||||||||||
Governor Jesse "The Body" Ventura tackles the war on weed, with special guest Rob Kampia of the Marijuana Policy Project. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
CULTURAL BAGGAGE RADIO SHOW | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday Evening 6:30 PM CDT | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Mayor Campbell has implemented "The Four Pillars Drug Strategy" as
the City of Vancouver's policy and plan for reducing drug-related
harms. | ||||||||||||||||||||
MP3: http://cultural-baggage.com/Audio/FDBCB_121603.mp3
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
UK Police Officer Who Introduced 'Softly Softly' Policy on Cannabis | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
CORRECTION FOR DSW FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
After distributing the feature article "Prohibition's Not-So-Great
Moments in Prohibition" ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
In relation to the above article, I was curious to read your
statement that 'no humans inject ecstasy'. I feel it my duty to
inform you that many people have injected and continue to inject
ecstasy. In either capsule, pill of liquid form, it is easy to
prepare for intravenous use, and while the effect is often described
as 'overwhelming', people certainly DO inject ecstasy. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In 1999, a colleague and I looked at gay men's drug use in Sydney,
Australia - the report of this study is available at: | ||||||||||||||||||||
There are better references than ours for mention of the injection
of ecstasy, however, at least some of our interviewees had been
injecting the drug and some discuss the effect. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In my experience, there is no such thing as a non-injectable drug.
Some people are dedicated injectors and will (try to) inject
anything. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thanks, Max, for reading and sharing. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
LETTER OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pot Backer Is A Hero | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Gary Storck | ||||||||||||||||||||
Re: "Playground for plutocrats," Dec. 6 Rick O'Donnell column. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rick O'Donnell wrote, "Billionaire George Soros financed Colorado's
medical marijuana initiative," then opined, "Why do we allow wealthy
special interests to dominate Colorado's ballot initiative process
and thereby the issue agenda of each election cycle?" | ||||||||||||||||||||
In the case of medical marijuana, Soros' intervention was
necessitated by the fact most elected representatives and government
officials have refused to follow the will of the people on this
issue. Colorado voters may recall how state officials, including the
governor and secretary of state, used their offices to oppose this
measure, with the ex-secretary of state, the late Vikki Buckley,
even concealing signed petitions in her office. | ||||||||||||||||||||
With the medical marijuana law now in effect and working well to aid suffering Coloradans, it is clear that this particular ballot initiative was about countering special interests and empowering the will of the people. Soros' generosity in helping to put this issue directly before voters makes him nothing short of a hero. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gary Storck, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
FEATURE ARTICLE | ||||||||||||||||||||
A Note About How You Can Help The Fight Against The Drug War | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Mark Greer | ||||||||||||||||||||
I am writing to you today out of both fear and frustration with the
current state of affairs in America. Although the new millennium
began with a burst of optimism for the future of U.S. drug policy,
the last few years have been marked by a steady erosion of our
personal and civil liberties. While polls show a growing majority
support for harm reduction and a more liberal drug policy, our
present government has done its best to maintain and reinforce its
widely discredited and unpopular drug prohibition. | ||||||||||||||||||||
What is particularly frustrating is that we know that there is a
better way. Much of the Western world has chosen to embrace a
science-based, harm-reduction approach towards the use of
recreational drugs, treating it as a medical rather than a criminal
concern. While we continue to fill our prisons with non-violent drug
offenders, the U.K will soon reclassify recreational cannabis use as
a non-arrestable offense. Even our neighbours in Canada will once
again consider decriminalizing the personal use of marijuana in
2004. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Under the questionable moral leadership of John Ashcroft and John Walters, and as a result of poorly construed policies such the Homeland Security Act, the HEA and the newly introduced RAVE legislation, our nation is quickly devolving from the "land of the free" to the land of the carefully monitored and widely oppressed. | ||||||||||||||||||||
DrugSense has been working hard to help America retain its liberty and regain its freedoms. With the upcoming federal elections, information is our greatest tool for progressive change. However, the pending election has diverted much of the traditional funding avenues for drug policy reform to the wider goal of ousting the present regime, which is why I need to ask you today to support our goal of moving toward a compassionate, science-based drug policy, rather than one which is based on fear and misinformation. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Find our address below or use our quick, easy, and secure donations
page at http://www.drugsense.org/donate.htm#supportds | ||||||||||||||||||||
DrugSense continues to support, assist and inform the entire online
drug policy reform movement through important resources such as the
Media Awareness Project, our weekly e-newsletter, and issue-oriented
media Focus Alerts. Our ever-expanding Drug Policy Central web
services currently host over 100 of drug reforms leading
organizations, including Law Enforcement Against Prohibition,
Students for a Sensible Drug Policy, and Common Sense for Drug
Policy. If we are to continue with this good work, we need to ask
for help from people like you who believe that compassionate
policies and the preservation of personal freedoms are what continue
to make America great. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Please help us keep Ashcroft/Walters honest; give what you can to
MAP/DrugSense. | ||||||||||||||||||||
With my sincere gratitude, and a hope for new direction for 2004. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mark Greer | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month." -- Harlan Miller (Better Homes and Gardens) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
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 |