| Feb. 20, 2004 #338 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Table of Contents
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THIS JUST IN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) ROADSIDE DRUGS TESTS 'COULD BE FLAWED' SAY RESEARCHERS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
ROADSIDE tests that are the only way of catching people driving under
the influence of drugs may be fatally flawed, it was revealed last
night. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Research in Glasgow has cast doubt on the mental and physical tasks
that police have been using for three years to try to crack down on
what is feared to be an epidemic of drug driving. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The problem could put traffic officers, who admit the tests are
"not scientific" compared with breathalysers, back to square one in
the search for an effective way of finding grounds to arrest and
charge a drug-driving suspect. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dr Paul Skett, a senior lecturer is pharmacology at Glasgow
University and one of the main expert witnesses in drug driving
court cases, has been assessing the Fitness Impairment Tests
imported to Scotland from the US in 2001. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
The tests include a series of physical and mental tasks, such as balancing on one leg while counting, walking heel to toe along a straight line and touching the tip of the nose with a finger. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Skett said early results of research at Glasgow were "worrying",
however, because volunteers with no drugs in their system have
been testing positive after carrying out the tasks, sometimes
simply because they are tired. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In another case a driver taken to a police station after failing
the tests turned out to have had a mild stroke. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Skett said there "may or may not" be any scientific basis for
the tests, which he said had been copied from the U.S. without
analysis of their efficacy. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(2) SELLING POT AT PHARMACIES CONSIDERED (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Medicinal marijuana may soon be available in pharmacies, according to
proposals being examined by a variety of special interest groups in
consultation with Health Canada. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Officials from Health Canada on Wednesday met with pharmacists,
medical experts, police and medicinal pot users behind closed doors
to discuss access to medicinal marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"If you wanted the biggest patient concern, it's to be able to get a
safe, affordable supply of medicinal marijuana. That's what we need,"
said Greg Robinson, who uses marijuana because it alleviates his
HIV/AIDS symptoms -- nausea and lack of appetite. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ray Joubert, of the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacies, said that
there was a lot of support for bringing marijuana into local
pharmacies. "I think there's growing interest. There seems to be
growing support as well." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Richard Viau, an official with Health Canada's controlled-substances
program, said Wednesday the department has wrapped up a series of
consultations on the issue. The findings from those meetings will
be examined and a series of recommendations will be published later
this year. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(3) PERU'S COCA GROWERS DEMAND HELP (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Peruvian coca growers are meeting in the capital Lima to discuss ways to confront the government over their controversial crop. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Farmers are angry that politicians have failed to come up with a
financially viable alternative to the crop, which is the raw material
for cocaine. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The coca growers have travelled long distances from remote areas of
the Andes and Amazon to voice their anger. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Peru is the second biggest producer of cocaine in the world. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Use | ||||||||||||||||||||
Much of it is smuggled to the United States - though a small amount is used legally, brewed in tea or chewed to combat altitude sickness. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Leaders of the group - which represents half of Peru's 50,000 coca
growers - say they want to cut production of illegal coca crops and
receive higher subsidies for less profitable alternative crops like
coffee and fruit. | ||||||||||||||||||||
They are also demanding the release of their jailed leader, Nelson
Palomino, accused of kidnapping journalists and helping promote
terrorism. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(4) GROUPS SUE FOR MARIJUANA ADS ON METRO (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The American Civil Liberties Union and three drug policy reform groups filed a lawsuit yesterday in U.S. District Court against Metro and the federal government, challenging a law that bars transit systems from accepting advertising about legalizing marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Late last year, Rep. Ernest Istook (R-Okla.) said he was angered
by advertising on the Metro that encouraged decriminalization of
marijuana. Istook inserted an amendment into the omnibus bill
passed by Congress that denies federal money to any transit
system that accepts ads promoting "the legalization or medical use"
of marijuana and other controlled substances. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Last week, Change the Climate tried to buy $ 91,875 in ad space on Metrobuses, but the transit agency refused. "We have no choice but to follow the law that Congress passed and the president signed," Metro spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said, noting that Metro does not want to risk the $170 million it receives in federal money each year. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Congress is trying to block needed political change by censoring
speech that gives the public the facts about drugs and drug laws,"
said Arthur B. Spitzer, legal director of the ACLU of the National
Capital Area. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (5-8) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is already unable to
control the dangerous drugs in its jurisdiction, but now it wants
more power to control hydrocodone, a frequently prescribed
painkiller. Advocates for doctors and patients argue such a measure
will make their lives more difficult, and, based on the DEA's track
record, there's no reason to believe stricter guidelines will make
abuse less frequent. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In Nevada, on the other hand, the Marijuana Policy Project is making
another effort to loosen regulations on marijuana, leaving police to
pursue other more important issues. We'll see what the people say
there, but some Utah legislators seem intent on ignoring the will of
the people regarding property seizures in the state. A successful
voter initiative restricted property seizures by police a couple
years ago, but a bill being debated in the state legislature would
allow more seizures by police with less oversight. And in Alabama, a
well-liked and apparently effective high school principal resigned
after a police investigation found him with a few rocks of crack in
his possession. | ||||||||||||||||||||
All these stories beg the question, if everybody in America was
simply getting hammered on alcohol as we are encouraged to do by
current policy, what exactly would law enforcement do with its time?
Solve crimes with real victims, perhaps? | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(5) U.S. IS WORKING TO MAKE PAINKILLERS HARDER TO OBTAIN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Drug Enforcement Administration is working to make one of the
nation's most widely prescribed medications more difficult for
patients to obtain as part of its stepped-up offensive against the
diversion and abuse of prescription painkillers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Top DEA officials confirm that the agency is eager to change the official listing of the narcotic hydrocodone -- which was prescribed more than 100 million times last year -- to the highly restricted Schedule II category of the Controlled Substances Act. A painkiller and cough suppressant sold as Lortab, Vicodin and 200 generic brands, hydrocodone combined with other medications has long been available under the less stringent rules of Schedule III. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The DEA effort is part of a broad campaign to address the problem of
prescription drug abuse, which the agency says is growing quickly
around the nation. But the initiative has repeatedly pitted the
agency against doctors, pharmacists and pain sufferers, and it is
doing so again with the hydrocodone proposal. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pain specialists and pharmacy representatives say that the new
restrictions would be a burden on the millions of Americans who need
the drug to treat serious pain from arthritis, AIDS, cancer and
chronic injuries, and that many sufferers are likely to be
prescribed other, less effective drugs as a result. | ||||||||||||||||||||
If the change is made, millions of patients, doctors and pharmacists
will be affected, some substantially. Patients, for instance, would
have to visit their doctors more often for hydrocodone | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(6) LEGAL MARIJUANA CAMPAIGN RESTARTS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
An initiative petition seeking to legalize possession of up to 1
ounce of marijuana will be filed with the secretary of state's
office today despite a similar measure's sound defeat on the ballot
in 2002. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana, established in
Nevada this year by the national Marijuana Policy Project, will
attempt to make Nevada the first state in the nation to legalize
possession of marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"We have a much more directed petition than the one two years ago,"
committee spokeswoman Jennifer Knight said. "I did not vote for this
two years ago because I was concerned about it, but this alleviates
my concerns." | ||||||||||||||||||||
The initiative first must qualify for the ballot by collecting the
signatures of 51,244 registered voters by June 15. The petition also
must represent at least 10 percent of the voters in 13 of Nevada's
17 counties to qualify. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(7) BATTLE IS BREWING OVER PROPERTY-SEIZURE PROPOSAL (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
A contentious battle over funding crime-fighting through the seizure
of property is brewing on Capitol Hill after the debut of SB175
Wednesday. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The bill would rewrite Utah's Uniform Forfeiture Procedures Act
(UFPA) and again allow police departments to collect forfeiture
funds through state and federal prosecutions. | ||||||||||||||||||||
UFPA, which was passed into law as Initiative B during the 2000 election, has cost the state millions in federal crime-fighting funds, Buttars said. Some 70 percent of voters supported UFPA. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"My bill goes right the heart of preserving Initiative B and even
strengthens it," Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, said, adding
that out-of-state money funded that effort. "They added some
language that protected property owners, but the unintended
consequence was the elimination of our efforts at drug | ||||||||||||||||||||
In Daniel Newby's opinion, however, SB175 is the exact opposite of
what Utah citizens wanted in 2000. Newby is one of the original
backers of the UFPA and a founder of the citizen group | ||||||||||||||||||||
"It will effectively nullify and destroy Initiative B," said Newby.
"It also restores perverse incentives for law enforcement to
confiscate the property of innocent property owners to increase
their budgets." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(8) LEE PRINCIPAL RESIGNS AFTER COCAINE ARREST (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Students, Parents Stunned; 'He Was Doing A Great Job' | ||||||||||||||||||||
Less than two hours after being charged Thursday afternoon with
possession of cocaine, Harry Smith resigned as principal of Lee High
School in northeast Huntsville. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Smith, 49, was released from the Huntsville-Madison County Jail on a
$10,500 bond. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"He was doing a great job. He got the school going," said PTA
President Brian Lombardino. "When he got here the school was way
down. In two years, he gave it a new face." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Smith, who took charge of Lee in the summer of 2002, was charged at
3:46 p.m. Thursday during a traffic stop at U.S. 72 East and Mastin
Lake Road. The arrest followed a two-month investigation by the
sheriff's Vice and Narcotics Unit, said Sgt. Mike Bertus, head of
the unit. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bertus said there was no evidence Smith had illegal drugs on the
school's campus. No one was with him when officers stopped his
vehicle on Thursday. | ||||||||||||||||||||
When arrested, officers said, Smith had what appeared to be seven to
nine rocks of crack cocaine in his possession. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (9-12) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The drug war claimed another innocent life last week, as California
police shot and killed someone they thought was a drug suspect.
Police were wrong. In Oklahoma, an NAACP official didn't get killed
during his case of mistaken identity during a drug investigation; he
was merely forced to the ground and humiliated while his terrified
family looked on. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Police may not always get the right drug suspect, but in one Florida
city, they've started a program to ensure that all used cars are
drug-free. It sounds silly, but it also appears to be a rare effort
in the drug war to make sure that innocent people don't face a
sudden drug arrest. Of course, if that many used cars really do
contain illegal drugs, it serves another sign of the utter failure
and disgrace of prohibition. And finally, another shocking story out
of the California prison system. In some states, overcrowded prison
systems are begging state officials for more funding. In California,
the prison system apparently takes what it wants with very little
oversight, causing the budget to rise faster than the rate of
incarcerations. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(9) WRONG MAN SHOT, KILLED (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wanted Parolee Found Later in S.J., Cops Say | ||||||||||||||||||||
A state drug agent shot and killed a man after a chase through
downtown San Jose on Tuesday, but later discovered the man wasn't
the suspected parole violator he had been searching for, San Jose
police said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
State authorities later arrested David Gonzales, the man they were
looking for, just a few blocks away. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Authorities did not release the victim's name Tuesday, but relatives
identified him as Rodolfo Cardenas, a construction worker who had
recently separated from his wife. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The state Department of Justice confirmed a Bureau of Narcotics
Enforcement agent was involved in the shooting near a retirement
home on North Fourth Street. San Jose police said they received a
1:23 p.m. call of shots being fired. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(10) NAACP OFFICIAL MISTAKEN FOR SUSPECT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Law officers handcuffed an executive board member of Oklahoma City's NAACP Wednesday in northeast Oklahoma City before releasing him. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sean Baker said members of the Drug Enforcement Agency forced him to
the ground at a gasoline station with guns drawn, then released him
about 6 p.m. while his family watched. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"It was terrible," said Baker, who is a police and criminal justice
investigator with the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People. "My children are terrified. My children have never
experienced anything like that in their life." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Agents were tracking a man wanted on drug complaints. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(11) USED CARS ELIGIBLE FOR FREE DRUG INSPECTIONS IN MIRAMAR (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Miramar - Besides checking the engine and going on a test drive,
city residents buying used cars now can have them inspected by
police for illegal substances. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The new program is the first of its kind in South Florida and possibly the nation, according to Miramar police Capt. John Savaiko. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The inspections, open only to Miramar residents, take a few minutes
and are done free of charge. | ||||||||||||||||||||
To have a newly purchased car inspected, residents must make an
appointment with the Police Department's canine unit, at
954-602-4000. The resident must bring proof of car ownership to the
appointment. | ||||||||||||||||||||
If minor contraband is found, Savaiko said, the car will be cleaned
and the buyer can leave without fear of punishment. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The newly approved program, proposed by City Commissioner Winston
Barnes, was created after a resident complained that a friend was
stopped by police and held for contraband left in the car she had
just purchased. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(12) PRISON HIRING DEFIED BUDGET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
SACRAMENTO - During the past three years, California's troubled
prison system hired 1,000 guards at a cost of up to $100 million and
without permission from the Legislature, state finance officials
revealed Wednesday. | ||||||||||||||||||||
``It makes the budget process look really very bogus,'' said Sen.
Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo, after hearing testimony from the
Schwarzenegger administration about the unauthorized workers whose
salaries have contributed to the skyrocketing costs in the nation's
largest prison system. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In fact, the non-partisan Legislative Analyst's Office told lawmakers that the Department of Corrections budget in recent years grew at a faster rate than the inmate population. During the past decade the budget has doubled, to about $6 billion, while the number of inmates has risen only 23 percent, to roughly 160,000. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The latest disclosures left even veteran lawmakers scratching their
heads about the validity of budget figures from the Department of
Corrections, which for years has been forced to seek hundreds of
millions in extra funds because of cost overruns. And it left them
questioning how the department -- saddled with a lucrative labor
contract for prison guards -- could ever live within its spending
plan. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (13-17) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
As frequently seen in the politics of pot, stories this week swing
from the progressive to the repressive and regressive. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Development of GW Pharmaceuticals' new cannabis spray called Sativex is progressing to the final stages of testing according to a company spokesperson. Using real marijuana extract, instead of synthetic THC, Sativex may well confirm pot's medicinal value. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Acceptance of hemp is progressing as well as evidenced by the
growing recognition of its durability, softness, and warmth by New
England's hip. Numerous stores have recently opened to sell chairs,
ottomans, towels, and shower curtains made from this fast growing
plant whose use dates back 10,000 years to burial tombs in
Mesopotamia. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mesopotamia may well seem progressive compared to the Alabama
courtroom where U.S. Marijuana Party president, Loretta Nall, was
convicted of marijuana possession late last week. In a trail that
seemed like a work of fiction, the same judge, who issued the search
warrant in the case based on the "probable cause" of a | ||||||||||||||||||||
Less we forget, repressive and regressive marijuana "myths" continue
to be the message of the media. Perhaps in response to Nall's
conviction or simply lazy journalism, this last article, also from
Alabama, succinctly lists all of marijuana's evils from the
amotivational syndrome to the gateway theory to brain damage. This
activist looks forward to the day when media sensationalism about
cannabis fades and Mary Jane simply refers to woman's name. Happy
4:20! | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(13) MARIJUANA BILL TARGETS TRAFFICKING, NOT SIMPLE POSSESSION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Canadians caught with one to three marijuana plants will face
significantly lower penalties and no jail time under amendments to
the controversial federal cannabis bill. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Legislation to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of
marijuana, which died when Parliament adjourned in November and was
reintroduced in the House of Commons last week, has watered down the
penalties for possession of up to three plants. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana under the revived
Cannabis Reform Bill would be a ticketing offence, carrying fines of
$100 to $400. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Another important amendment prohibits police from sharing
information about Canadians caught with small amounts of marijuana
with authorities in the United States or other foreign governments
or agencies. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(14) MEDICINAL MARIJUANA INHALER INCHES CLOSER (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Plans to make marijuana available by prescription to British multiple sclerosis sufferers promise to shake up the debate in the United States over legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sativex, an inhaler that dispenses medical marijuana in mist form,
is in the final stages of testing by the United Kingdom's Department
of Health, a spokeswoman said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sativex's developer, GW Pharmaceuticals, a British company, hopes to
sell medical pot in Western Europe and the Commonwealth countries,
including Canada. The U.S. market is a "long-term objective,"
company spokesman Mark Rogerson said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Some say that by licensing the drug, the British government has
confirmed pot's value in relieving pain. Others say that once
government-approved marijuana is available, it will be more
difficult to argue that disease sufferers should be permitted to
grow or purchase marijuana for their own use. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(15) HEMP'S HIP NEW STATUS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fabric Made From a Variety of the Cannabis Plant Is a Natural for
the Home. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The decor and atmosphere at The Hempest, a shop in Boston whose
inventory is mostly hemp-related products, might conjure memories of
the 1960s. But this Newbury Street store is catering to the hip and
environmentally conscious crowd of today. While the merchandise is
predominantly soft, natural clothing, the shop also carries products
such as hemp table runners and napkins, luxurious towels, hammocks,
candles, and rugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"People are trying to switch to a more healthy lifestyle and to be
more eco-conscious," says Mitchell Rosenfield, who co-owns The
Hempest with Jonathan Napoli. "And, once they get started living
with hemp products, it gets addictive. It gives a good feeling. It's
nice to know that the fabric you spend so many hours of your life
with . . . is natural and free of chemicals." | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(16) MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION ADVOCATE CONVICTED ON POT CHARGE IN (Top)KAFKAESQUE TRIAL | ||||||||||||||||||||
Appeal Filed Immediately | ||||||||||||||||||||
Redneck justice in red dirt Alabama has Loretta Nall seeing red.
Nall, a housewife from rural Alexandria City, was convicted Tuesday
of possession of .87 of a gram of marijuana and possession of drug
paraphernalia some 15 months after the Tallapoosa County Narcotics
Task Force raided her home -- and 15 months and one week after Nall
published a letter in the state's largest newspaper calling for the
reform of the state's marijuana laws. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Nall, who is now president of the U.S. Marijuana Party (
http://www.usmjparty.org ), began her career as a marijuana activist
after her home was targeted by anti-drug helicopters in September
2002, two months before her arrest. That her arrest was at least in
part politically motivated is evident in the fact that the search
warrant leading to the bust cited as evidence her letter to the
Birmingham News, where she wrote that "it is time to end cannabis
prohibition." The only other evidence cited in the warrant was
remarks Nall's five-year-old daughter was alleged to have made to
either a teacher or a police officer assigned to her school and a
supposed report from a "confidential informant" that unnamed persons
were complaining of Nall's drug activity. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(17) MARIJUANA IS STRONGER, MORE DANGEROUS THAN YEARS AGO (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
This is the third installment in a six-part series on drug abuse, provided by the Escambia County Schools Youth Empowerment Program. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Marijuana is not the same drug that many parents remember from the
60s and 70s. Marijuana is much stronger and comes in many more
varieties than were in use 20 years ago. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The level of THC in marijuana in the 60s and 70s was around two
percent, whereas the drug today has an average level of THC between
six and 13 percent. However, there are varieties of marijuana that
contain up to 25 percent THC, which can cause hallucinations like
LSD. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Marijuana has many street names so that youth can hide their use of
the drug. The street names change constantly and each area of the
country has different terms. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Common street names for marijuana include bammer, blunt, boom, bud, duros, 420, ganja, hooch, loaf, mota, one-hitter, stack, weed and Mary Jane. Four-twenty is a common term used in Escambia County. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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International News | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (18-21) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
China forges ahead this week in the prohibition death march as another foreigner (a Japanese national this time) is condemned to death for allegedly trafficking in "stimulant drugs" in China. The execution is expected in several months, following pro-forma appeals. The Japanese man had been about to board a flight out of China last July when accused of carrying drugs and detained by Chinese officials. Press reports of the sentencing did not mention the growing underground illicit trade in human organs for transplant, which is said to use organs from executed prisoners in China. | ||||||||||||||||||||
A Jamaican parliamentary committee last week recommended that private
use of ganja (cannabis) no longer be a criminal offense. The
recommendation clears the way for the presentation of the committee's
final report to Parliament. After this, the recommendations will be
debated in Parliament, followed by a conscience vote, a vote where
members are not bound by party affiliations and may vote as they
please. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was happy to let the blood of
some 2,500 of his countrymen flow in the streets in 2003. No trial
was needed: the suspicion of any death squad operative, who in
Thailand are identical to the quota-filling police, was enough.
After all, promised the top Thai politician, this would make
Thailand be drug free, thus saving Thai youth from the scourge of
drugs. Another news item from Thailand this week confirms what
DrugSense readers knew would happen all along: Thailand is as full
of drugs as ever. Seizures of ya-ba meth pills in Thailand are
happening just as before; business as usual. | ||||||||||||||||||||
And finally this week, an item from Africa that shows the
US-sponsored trickle-down drug hysteria propaganda and | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(18) CHINA COURT SENTENCES JAPANESE TO DEATH (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
BEIJING (Kyodo) A 61-year-old Japanese man was sentenced to death by a district court in the Chinese city of Shenyang earlier this month on charges of trying to smuggle 1.25 kg of stimulant drugs from China to Japan, sources close to the case said Saturday. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The man, who has not been named, is the first Japanese to be given a
death penalty that was not suspended in China, according to Japanese
authorities. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Since being sentenced on Feb. 3, the defendant has appealed to a
higher court and the hearing will take place within two months, the
sources said, adding that his execution will take place relatively
soon if the appeal court upholds the initial ruling. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The man was detained at an airport in Liaoning Province in July as
he was about to board an international flight, allegedly with drugs
in his possession. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(19) COMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND GANJA DECRIMINALISATION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
THE PARLIAMENTARY Committee considering the report of the National
Commission on Ganja agreed yesterday to support the decriminalisation
of ganja for private personal use. | ||||||||||||||||||||
There was only one dissenting voice, that of Opposition Senator
Shirley Williams. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Ganja Commission, headed by Professor Barry Chevannes, had recommended that the private, personal use of ganja be decriminalised. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
The National Commission on Ganja had recommended that "the relevant
law be amended so that ganja be decriminalised for the private,
personal use of small quantities by adults." | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Parliamentary Committee, at Senator Munroe's urging, amended that proposal to read: "That the relevant laws be amended so that the private, personal use of ganja be no longer an offence." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
The committee hopes to complete its deliberations at its next meeting,
after which its final report will be presented to Parliament for
debate and a conscience vote. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(20) DRUG TRAFFICKERS STILL BEING CAUGHT IN THAILAND (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Methamphetamines, Opium And Weapons Seized | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Pha Muang task force has seized more than 14,000 methamphetamine pills, along with raw opium and weapons in Wiang Haeng district, Chiang Mai. Maj. Gen. Manas Paorik, the commander of Pha Muang task force, assigned cavalry forces to keep watch on the drug situation and in response, they set up a checkpoint at Ban Chong, in Wiang Haeng district. They then apprehended two suspects who were searched, revealing a haul of 14,000 methamphetamine tablets, half a kilogram of raw opium, 7 rounds of ammunition and one knife. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The two males confessed they were hired to bring the drugs to
customers, but disclosed no details of their employers. Further
interrogation might assist them to remember the source. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pha Muang special task force would continue their operation to
suppress the remaining drug networks in the north. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(21) AIDS SPREAD BLAMED ON DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Kampala | ||||||||||||||||||||
The high prevalence of the AIDS scourge has been blamed on breakdown
of family values among the youths. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"There is a breakdown of family values among youths. Pornography,
use of drugs like marijuana and recently, ekimansulo are the main
reasons why AIDS is not decreasing," the MP for Sheema North, has
said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dr. Eliod Tumwesigye also the chairperson of the parliamentary
sectoral committee on HIV / AIDS, said this at the closure of a
one-week seminar on 'stay safe and smart' concept at Ruyonza
Secondary School in Bushenyi recently. | ||||||||||||||||||||
He decried the rate at which AIDS was spreading, especially among
the youths. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
OPN ART CONTEST | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Ohio Patient Network is proud to announce their first art
contest with a $100 first prize! We are searching for your original
artwork and or photos to be used to further our mission to inform
and educate the public about the compassionate use of medical
cannabis in Ohio. Details at | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
TELL THE MS SOCIETY TO STOP PLAYING POLITICS WITH PATIENTS | ||||||||||||||||||||
NORML has created a pre-written letter that you can send to the MS Society urging them to take a realistic look at the existing evidence surrounding medical marijuana as a treatment for multiple sclerosis. Please take a few minutes to review it, change or add your own comments, and send it to the MS Society by visiting: | ||||||||||||||||||||
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=5130936&type=CU | ||||||||||||||||||||
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NARCO NEWS REBORN | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Al Giordano | ||||||||||||||||||||
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MORE LIES FROM DEPUTY CZAR ANDREA | ||||||||||||||||||||
From the Drug War Rant web log by Pete Guiter. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
ERNEST MONEY | ||||||||||||||||||||
A drug warrior uses Congress' purse strings to strangle dissent. | ||||||||||||||||||||
by Jacob Sullum | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
BATTLE FOR CANADA #15: THE MYTH OF BC BUD | ||||||||||||||||||||
with Richard Cowan | ||||||||||||||||||||
How The Prohibitionist Propaganda Machine Created A Phoney Excuse
For War. Sound Familiar? It Isn’t The Weed They Fear. It Is The
Freedom. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
CULTURAL BAGGAGE RADIO SHOW | ||||||||||||||||||||
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With help from the asst. warden at Coleman prison in Florida, we interview George about the fact that he is the longest serving, non-violent criminal in the United States. George was sentenced to life without parole after pleading guilty to possession of 2,600 pounds of marijuana. Please visit his website, appeal to the President for a pardon for George. | ||||||||||||||||||||
MP3: http://www.cultural-baggage.com/Audio/FDBCB_021704.mp3
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LORETTA NALL ON 'THE X' | ||||||||||||||||||||
Audio only. Pot TV News Anchor and US Marijuana Party President was on Alabama's numero uno radio show just two days after her recent conviction for possessing less than a gram of marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
OAKLAND CANNABIS INITIATIVE FILED | ||||||||||||||||||||
Oakland, CA. An initiative calling for the regulation and
taxation of cannabis was filed today by the Oakland Civil Liberties
Alliance. If approved, the measure would (1) direct the city to
tax and regulate cannabis for adult use as soon as possible under
state law; and (2) make adult private use of cannabis lowest
enforcement priority immediately. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Text of the proposed "Oakland Cannabis Regulation & Revenue
Ordinance" is posted at: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
LETTER OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Don't Follow Us | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Kirk Muse | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sir: | ||||||||||||||||||||
The American led war on drugs was doomed from the very beginning.
Regardless of the money put into the anti-drug programme, one cannot
nullify the basic supply and demand law of economics. | ||||||||||||||||||||
As long as people want to purchase recreational drugs and are
willing to pay a substantial price to buy them, somebody will
produce them and somebody else will somehow get the drugs to the
buyers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
This is guaranteed. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The war on drugs has transformed the United States into the most
incarcerated nation in history. | ||||||||||||||||||||
With less than five per cent of the world's population, the U.S. has
more than one fourth of the world's prisoners. In other words, one
out of every four prisoners in the world is locked in an American
prison, thanks primarily to America's counter-productive war on
certain (politically selected) drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The United States government is in no position to give any other
nation advice on how to run an anti-drugs campaign. | ||||||||||||||||||||
No other nation has wasted more resources on fighting drugs and no
other nation has imprisoned more citizens for drug law violations
than the US, yet no other nation has been less successful in solving
its narcotics problem than the United States. | ||||||||||||||||||||
My advice to the rest of the world: Carefully observe the U.S.
narcotics policy and do the opposite. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Don't follow us, we're lost. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Kirk Muse, | ||||||||||||||||||||
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http://www.mapinc.org/images/kirkmuse.jpg | ||||||||||||||||||||
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LETTER WRITER OF THE MONTH - JANUARY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
DrugSense recognizes Robert Sharpe of Washington, D.C. for having thirteen letters to the editor published during January. This brings his published letters total up to 1,025. You may review his published letters at http://www.mapinc.org/writers/Robert+Sharpe | ||||||||||||||||||||
Robert took a break from letter to the editor writing during May of
last year for personal reasons. It is good to see him back at it!
Robert received MAP's Platinum Letter Award for his accomplishments
last year http://mapinc.org/lteaward.htm His 'Tips for Getting
Letters to the Editor Published' is on line at | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Rep. Ron Paul's Comments On The Persecution Of Pain Doctors
Voltaire By Ron Paul | ||||||||||||||||||||
Comments made before the U.S. House of Representatives Feb. 12, 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Speaker, the publicity surrounding popular radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh's legal troubles relating to his use of the pain killer OxyContin hopefully will focus public attention on how the federal drug war threatens the effective treatment of chronic pain. Prosecutors have seized Mr. Limbaugh's medical records to investigate whether he violated federal drug laws. The fact that Mr. Limbaugh is a high profile, controversial, conservative media personality has given rise to speculation that the prosecution is politically motivated. Adding to this suspicion is the fact that individual pain patients are rarely prosecuted in this type of case. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In cases where patients are not high profile celebrities like Mr.
Limbaugh, it is pain management physicians who bear the brunt of
overzealous prosecutors. Faced with the failure of the war on drugs
to eliminate drug cartels and kingpins, prosecutors and police have
turned their attention to pain management doctors, using federal
statutes designed for the prosecution of drug dealers to prosecute
physicians for prescribing pain medicine. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Many of the cases brought against physicians are rooted in the
federal Drug Enforcement Administration's failure to consider
current medical standards regarding the use of opioids, including
OxyContin, in formulating policy. Opioids are the pharmaceuticals
considered most effective in relieving chronic pain. Federal law
classifies most opioids as Schedule II drugs, the same | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unfortunately, patients often must consume very large amounts of
opioids to obtain long-term relief. Some prescriptions may be for
hundreds of pills and last only a month. A prescription this large
may appear suspicious. But according to many pain management
specialists, it is medically necessary in many cases to prescribe a
large number of pills to effectively treat chronic pain. However,
zealous prosecutors show no interest in learning the basic facts of
pain management. | ||||||||||||||||||||
This harassment by law enforcement has forced some doctors to close
their practices, while others have stopped prescribing opioids
altogether -- even though opioids are the only way some of their
patients can obtain pain relief. The current attitude toward pain
physicians is exemplified by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gene Rossi's
statement that "Our office will try our best to root out [certain
doctors] like the Taliban." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Prosecutors show no concern for how their actions will affect
patients who need large amounts of opioids to control their chronic
pain. For example, the prosecutor in the case of Dr. Cecil Knox of
Roanoke, Virginia, told all of Dr. Knox's patients to seek help in
federal clinics even though none of the federal clinics would
prescribe effective pain medicine! | ||||||||||||||||||||
Doctors are even being punished for the misdeeds of their patients.
For example, Dr. James Graves was sentenced to more than 60 years
for manslaughter because several of his patients overdosed on
various combinations of pain medications and other drugs, including
illegal street drugs. As a physician with over thirty years of
experience in private practice, I find it outrageous that a
physician would be held criminally liable for a patient's misuse of
medicine. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The American Association of Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), one of
the nation's leading defenders of medical freedom, recently advised
doctors to avoid prescribing opioids because, according to AAPS,
"drug agents set medical standards." I would hope my colleagues
would agree that doctors, not federal agents, should determine
medical standards. | ||||||||||||||||||||
By waging this war on pain physicians, the government is condemning
patients to either live with excruciating chronic pain or seek
opioids from other, less reliable, sources =96 such as street drug
dealers. Of course opioids bought on the street likely will pose a
greater risk of damaging a patient's health than opioids obtained
from a physician. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Finally, as the Limbaugh case reveals, the prosecution of pain
management physicians destroys the medical privacy of all chronic
pain patients. Under the guise of prosecuting the drug war, law
enforcement officials can rummage through patients' personal medical
records and, as may be the case with Mr. Limbaugh, use information
uncovered to settle personal or political scores. I am pleased that
AAPS, along with the American Civil Liberties Union, has joined the
effort to protect Mr. Limbaugh's medical records. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Speaker, Congress should take action to rein in overzealous
prosecutors and law enforcement officials, and stop the harassment
of legitimate physicians who act in good faith when prescribing
opioids for relief from chronic pain. Doctors should not be
prosecuted for using their best medical judgment to act in their
patients' best interests. Doctors also should not be prosecuted for
the misdeeds of their patients. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Finally, I wish to express my hope that Mr. Limbaugh's case will
encourage his many fans and listeners to consider how their support
for the federal war on drugs is inconsistent with their support of
individual liberty and constitutional government. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dr. Ron Paul is a Republican member of Congress from Texas. These comments were posted at http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul157.html | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
"The individual who persecutes a man, his brother, because he is not
of the same opinion, is a monster." - Voltaire | ||||||||||||||||||||
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