| Feb. 24, 2006 #438 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Table of Contents
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THIS JUST IN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) DEBT TO SOCIETY IS LEAST OF COSTS FOR EX-CONVICTS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
It is increasingly expensive to be a criminal. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Beverly Dubois, a 49-year-old former park ranger in Washington State, spent nine months in jail for growing and selling marijuana. She still owes the state almost $1,900 for court costs and various fees. Until she pays up, the state has taken away her right to vote. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wilbert Rideau, 64, a convicted killer, spent 44 years in Louisiana
prisons. Not long after he was released last year, he filed for
bankruptcy in an effort to avoid the state's attempts to collect
$127,000 in court costs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Almost every encounter with the criminal justice system these days can
give rise to a fee. There are application fees and co-payments for
public defenders. Sentences include court costs, restitution and
contributions to various funds. In Washington State, people convicted
of certain crimes are also charged $100 so their DNA can be put in a
database. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Private probation companies charge $30 to $40 a month for supervision.
Halfway houses charge for staying in them. People sentenced to
community service are required to buy $15 insurance policies for every
week they work. Criminals on probation and parole wear global
positioning devices that monitor their whereabouts -- for a charge of
as much as $16 a day. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The sums raised by these ever-mounting fees are intended to help offset
some of the enormous costs of operating the criminal justice system.
But even relatively small fees -- $40 per session, say, for a court-
ordered anger management class or $15 for a drug test -- can have
devastating consequences for people who emerge from prison with no
money, credit or prospects, and who live in fear of being sent back for
failing to pay. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"The difference between 30 years ago and today," said George H.
Kendall, a lawyer with Holland & Knight in New York who represents Mr.
Rideau, "is that people who everyone agrees are poor are leaving the
courthouse significantly poorer." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(2) COLUMN: THE INVESTIGATION OF DR. DENNEY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
(Our Tax Dollars At Work) | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I feel invaded," said Philip A. Denney, MD, on Monday. "I feel violated and I'm trying to figure out what to do about it." He had just received from an anonymous concerned citizen documents revealing that two of the patients he examined last Fall were actually taking part in an investigation of him. One was a federal agent -Steve Decker of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bureau- and one was a Confidential Informant assigned by the Redding Police Department. The documents reveal involvement by DEA agents named DeFreece and Hale, FBI agents Modine and McQuillan (from "Operation Safe Streets," which is supposed to focus on violent crime), and Redding PD officers Miller and Wallace. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Denney, who has been licensed in California for almost 30 years and has
never run afoul of the medical board, has a cannabis-oriented practice
in partnership with Robert E. Sullivan, MD (whose record is equally
impeccable) with offices in Sacramento and Orange County, as well as
Redding. The infiltration of his examining room apparently stemmed from
an investigation of a Redding dispensary called Dixon Herbs, run by a
man named Ron Dixon. Ironically, Denney had some qualms about Dixon's
operation -"they rarely called to confirm recommendations," he says,
and on a few occasions Dixon hired a doctor named Rosenthal to conduct
ad hoc clinics at the dispensary, which Denney considered "ethically
problematic." Dixon Herbs folded in December after being raided by a
task force involving the same law enforcement agencies that snooped on
Denney. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Agent Decker visited Denney on the afternoon of November 9 pretending to be Steven P. Hoffmaster. According to an "investigative narrative" filed by RPD officer Miller, "The receptionist asked for Agent Decker's I.D. and medical records. Agent Decker said several years ago he had been to a hospital in Santa Clara but he did not know which one. The receptionist called several hospitals in the Santa Clara area. When she did not find any record of him visiting a hospital under the alias provided, she said that was no problem, that they would go ahead with the exam and she would continue to try to come up with the records. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(3) NATIONAL POLICYMAKER CALLS FOR STUDENT DRUG TESTING (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
SAN DIEGO ---- Calling student drug use a "national public-health
problem," the White House's deputy drug czar told educators Wednesday
that random drug testing can be a potent and effective deterrent
strategy. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mary Ann Solberg, deputy director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, strongly endorsed student screening before a crowd of roughly 150 school and community leaders at a conference on drug testing held at San Diego's Hilton Hotel in Mission Valley. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Opponents of student drug testing also attended the conference to ask questions of the speakers and speak with reporters in the hallways. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"We see this as a very one-sided dog-and-pony show," said Kevin Keenan, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union in San Diego. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Not only do drug-testing programs train children that the government can violate their bodily privacy, but they also keep money away from other prevention methods with more proven track records, Keenan said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"We've evolved tremendously from 'Just say No,' " he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The regional conference, the second of four planned for 2006, came less
than a week after the Vista Unified School District trustees approved
random testing for high school students wishing to participate in
extracurricular activities. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Vista program is funded by a federal grant and could start by the
end of the month. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(4) COLUMN: 40 YEARS OF REEFER MADNESS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Save us from politicians sending messages. They were at it again last
week, debating a bill that would provide civil fines, instead of
criminal records, for those caught possessing small amounts of
marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"That's the wrong message to send to our kids," Attorney General Tom
Reilly said. "We have to keep them out of drugs." | ||||||||||||||||||||
State Rep. Karyn Polito, R-Shrewsbury, agreed, saying the bill "sends
the wrong message." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Let's get real: Politicians don't send messages, especially to kids, who couldn't name their state representative if their iPods depended on | ||||||||||||||||||||
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For 40 years, politicians have been "sending messages" to kids about
the dangers of pot and for 40 years, the kids have been ignoring them.
State legislators and attorneys general don't send messages; they pass
laws and prosecute people caught breaking them. The law they have now
said they can send you to prison for six months and fine you $500 for
possession of a single joint - on top of your lawyer's fees, of course.
Another law makes anyone convicted of marijuana possession ineligible
for federal college loans or grants. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Nice message they are sending: Anyone who smokes pot shouldn't be able
to go to college. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (5-7) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Two articles report some hope for the very youth our war on drugs is
allegedly 'saving.' After 18 years of hypocritical injustice
congress has finally adjusted the drug provision of FAFSA. A
Southern Illinois University newspaper Editor eloquently explains
why the only appropriate remedy is removal. UW-Madison SSDP
sponsored a "Know Your Rights" assembly at which an attorney gave
some helpful advice to the student body. | ||||||||||||||||||||
For those who haven't Googled Ayahuasca yet to learn how to say it -
the pronunciation is something like "eye-ya-wasca". I provide this
bit of information thinking an increase in members of O Centro
Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegetal is probable after their
Supreme Court victory which confirms the DEA has no business
attempting to prevent them from using Ayahuasca during their
bi-monthly religious ceremonies. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(5) A SECOND CHANCE FOR DRUG OFFENDERS - SORT OF (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
In relaxing rules which made students with drug conviction
ineligible for federal financial aid, the U.S. Congress has taken a
step in the right direction. Unfortunately, it is only a small step,
one which leaves the flaws of the original rules in place and does
nothing to address the hypocrisy at the law's core. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
The law's biggest flaw is that it ignores the real substance abuse
problem. According to fact sheets posted on the White House Web
site, "Alcohol, of all substances used, causes the most problems on
college campuses." This fact is apparently no cause for concern
among members of Congress, nor does it seem to trouble President
Bush, who is expected to sign the bill into law. | ||||||||||||||||||||
An estimated 175,000 people have been denied federal financial aid
because of their drug convictions since the question began appearing
on the application forms in 2000, according to the group Students
for a Sensible Drug Policy. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Maybe some of them will apply again and eventually receive aid. As long as politicians can win elections by persecuting drug users while ignoring more serious problems, it will be a hollow victory. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(6) ATTORNEY SAYS STUDENTS SHOULD KNOW RIGHTS WHEN 'BUSTED' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
When it comes to Constitutional rights, few students know theirs,
said attorney Marcus Berghahn Wednesday night in a "Know Your
Rights" event sponsored by UW-Madison Students for Sensible Drug
Policy. | ||||||||||||||||||||
It is important to know legal rights and what is allowed in certain
situations or you may get pushed around, said UW-Madison graduate
student [name redacted]. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
UW-Madison sophomore Tim Melgard explained how students may benefit
from knowing their rights. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I believe it will allow them to understand what they can and can't do with cops and prevent further altercations," he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Berghahn said the two most important rights people have when dealing
with police are in specific situations, namely when police do not
have a search warrant. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"'I do not and will not consent to a search of my person or any
property without a warrant, and I do not wish to speak with you
without a lawyer present,'" Berghahn told the audience to say to
offending police. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(7) HIGH COURT BACKS SECT'S RIGHT TO USE HALLUCINOGEN (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON - Federal narcotics laws don't trump the | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
The religion case marked the most significant opinion to date by
Chief Justice John Roberts, who last year succeeded the late William
Rehnquist. American adherents of the Brazilian religious sect, O
Centro Espirita Beneficente Uniao do Vegetal, sought to import their
sacramental tea, hoasca, whose ingredients include a hallucinogenic
plant from the Amazon region. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But the narcotic is banned by the federal Controlled Substances Act, and federal authorities threatened to prosecute the sect after intercepting a hoasca shipment. The sect, which claims about 130 members in the U.S., filed suit, and a federal district judge in New Mexico issued a preliminary injunction against the government. The judge, affirmed by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, cited the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which bars the government from imposing "substantial burdens" on the free exercise of religion, even under a generally applicable law, unless it is the least restrictive way to achieve a compelling government interest. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (8-11) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Similar, and probably just as ineffective, as the air raid drills of
the 50's, a California school is fear-conditioning high school
students while supplying the added benefit of drug dog locker
searches. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Better late than never, Alabama is just now realizing that "three-strikes and you're out" approach not only does not deter drug use but also creates more societal and economical problems. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Closing with two examples of poor choices for public drug policy
providers - the exclusively military-trained Jim McDonough has been
appointed head of the Florida prison system and an Ontario city has
assigned their Police Chief to form a committee for tackling their
drug problems. Continuing to treat our social and medical ills with
force ensures continued failure. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(8) POLICE CONDUCT DRILL AT SCHOOL (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Newport Harbor locked down for emergency training; police dogs
canvass lockers for drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Newport Harbor High School campus swarmed with police officers
Thursday morning during a lockdown drill, followed by a real locker
search by drug-detecting police dogs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The drill, kept secret from students and most faculty, was designed to test campus preparation in the event of a real security concern. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"We are constantly preparing for unusual occurrences on the school
campus," said Newport Beach Sgt. Bill Hartford. "If we're trained to
react to those situations we're going to respond to them more
effectively." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Assistant Principal David Martinez issued a warning on the loud
speaker Thursday; it was a cue for students to return immediately to
the nearest classroom or portable. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The teachers were responsible for closing and locking doors,
shutting off lights, closing blinds and making sure students were
quiet, Martinez said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Newport Beach police arrived on scene minutes later, sirens and lights blazing, as they would in a real emergency, Martinez said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Teams of administrators then canvassed the campus, checking to make
sure all students were accounted for. They also pounded on classroom
doors and tested the locks. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The drill itself took an estimated 20 minutes; there are between 120
to 125 rooms to check during the drill. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
If a dog takes interest in a certain locker, that gives police
"responsible suspicion" that something illegal is inside, Hartford
said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
There was no one incident that prompted the searches; it's a
proactive measure, Martinez said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Our goal is not to find anything; it's just a deterrent," Martinez
said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The K-9 didn't pick up on any contraband inside the high school
lockers Thursday, officials said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The dog did, however, have a nose for chocolate, Martinez pointed
out. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(9) HABITUAL OFFENDER LAW FILLING PRISONS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
MONTGOMERY - Nearly a third of the inmates serving time in Alabama's
overcrowded prisons were sentenced under the state's habitual
offender law, deemed one of the harshest in the nation by sentencing
experts. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unlike most states, Alabama's repeat offender law - often known as the three-strikes-and-you're-out law - does not figure in the length of time between convictions or the severity of prior offenses. | ||||||||||||||||||||
More than half of the nearly 8,600 habitual offenders were given
tougher or "enhanced" sentences after their latest conviction was
for property or drug crimes, according to the Alabama Sentencing
Commission's preliminary 2006 report. That doesn't mean they didn't
commit a violent crime in the past; but in most cases the law
doesn't give any weight to the prior offense. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Alabama does have one of the most stringent habitual felony
offender acts," said Lynda Flynt, executive director of the Alabama
Sentencing Commission. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tomislav Kovandzic, a criminal justice professor at the University
of Alabama at Birmingham, said this has created a problem in
corrections. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The habitual offender laws in general don't cut down on crime but do result in prison systems that are "busting at the seams" and increasingly demand larger chunks of state budgets, he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The majority of states that have such laws introduced them in the
1980s and 1990s, when the nation adopted a "tough on crime" motto,
he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"These laws don't do anything in reducing crime," said Kovandzic,
who has researched three-strikes laws. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(10) NEW FLORIDA PRISONS CHIEF HOPES TO RESTORE CODE OF ETHICS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Col. Jim McDonough has faced tough problems
before. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sent into Rwanda when it was in a genocidal chaos in the mid-1990s,
the Army commander's mission wasn't just to stop people from killing
each other, but also to figure out how to keep refugees from dying
of cholera. | ||||||||||||||||||||
He's led troops into battle in the Balkans, and waged war on drugs
for Florida and the nation. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Now McDonough, named just over a week ago to take over as secretary
of the beleaguered Department of Corrections, has to restore
confidence in a state prison system shaken by allegations of
cronyism and illegal behavior at the top levels. | ||||||||||||||||||||
McDonough, who has been serving Gov. Jeb Bush as the state's
director of drug control policy, said in an interview Saturday that
his first job is to restore a code of ethics that includes "honesty
in all things." | ||||||||||||||||||||
He said he thinks most of the people in the department already have
such an ethic - but they have to be made to understand that it will
be expected and rewarded. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"It's a department full of good people," McDonough said. "It's a
professional group, and they know their business. They have a code
of ethics and they want to do the right thing. I think I've got to
allow that to come out." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(11) POLICE TO HEAD UP DRUG FIGHT COMMITTEE BID (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The City Police Force Will Now Strike A Committee To Look At
Battling Drugs In Peterborough | ||||||||||||||||||||
At Tuesday morning's Police Services Board meeting, Police Chief
Terry McLaren said it was up to city council to create a committee
to examine and tackle drug use in Peterborough. | ||||||||||||||||||||
However, on Thursday, the force announced that Deputy-Chief Ken
Jackman will now create such a committee. | ||||||||||||||||||||
On Monday, city council passed a motion, put forward by Town Ward
Councillor Bill Juby, that requested city police create such a
committee. At Tuesday's meeting, Chief McLaren had said that he was
willing to work with such a committee but it was up to council to
create it. The sudden change is not really a change at all, says
Deputy-Chief Jackman. He explains council may not be able to tell
the Police Services Board what to do but that doesn't mean
suggestions from politicians aren't taken into serious | ||||||||||||||||||||
"It's the whole idea of community policing. It doesn't matter how it
got going." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Deputy-Chief Jackman will now contact groups and organizations with
an interest in coming up with a strategy to tackle drug use. No date
has been set for the committee's first meeting but Deputy-Chief
Jackman is hoping the group can meet by early March. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (12-15) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
We begin this week with an extremely comprehensive article about the
great work being done by the Committee to Regulate and Control
Marijuana in support of Nevada's cannabis legalization initiative.
The initiative, which would legalize the possession of less than an
ounce for adults over 21 and create retail outlets for distribution,
will be put to Nevada voters this November. Meanwhile, a medical
cannabis bill from Illinois is closer than ever to passing after its
3rd appearance before the state's General Assembly. The State
Journal-Register article focuses on MS patient and medical cannabis
user Julie Falco's appearance before the General Assembly in support
of the bill, which would legalize the possession of 2.5 ounces and
12 up to 12 plants for those with a doctor's permission to use
cannabis. | ||||||||||||||||||||
And in yet another state Legislature, Massachusetts law makers are
currently considering a bill that would make first-time personal
possession a non-arrestable offense, punishable by fines of up to
$250. The bill was approved 6-1 last week by a joint health
committee, but still needs the support of the House, Senate and
Governor. Lastly this week, the story of a former high school
counsellor from Bloomingdale, Michigan who claims that he's being
persecuted by police and school authorities for being an outspoken
opponent of cannabis prohibition. Greg Francisco, a former board
member of MI NORML, was arrested for misdemeanor possession of
cannabis last May when police found a stem and roach in his car in
the school parking lot after a drug detection dog signalled his
vehicle. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(12) MARIJUANA PETITIONERS CALL THE CURRENT LAW A 'MISERABLE FAILURE' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The head of the committee calling for legalization of marijuana in
Nevada says the group does not support use of the drug but rather
believes the current prohibition is bad policy and "a miserable
failure." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Neal Levine, of the Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana,
said instead of banning pot, the proposed statute on Nevada's 2006
ballot would set up a system of manufacture and sales for small
amounts of marijuana in Nevada. It would allow possession and use of
an ounce or less of marijuana by adults in their own homes but would
double the penalties for selling to minors and prohibit use by those
under 21. It would also provide for creation and licensing of retail
stores to sell small amounts of pot and tax those sales. Half the
revenue would go to the state treasury and the other half to drug
and alcohol programs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The goal, he said, is to "pull marijuana out of the criminal market
where we're financing the activities of violent gangs and drug
dealers and put it into a tightly regulated market where we can have
some controls and not penalize adults for something that doesn't
harm another person or property." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(13) MEDICAL CANNABIS BILL GAINS MOMENTUM (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Julie Falco came to Springfield last week for the third year in a
row to persuade lawmakers to legalize marijuana for medical
purposes. | ||||||||||||||||||||
With her, she brought a Tupperware container with marijuana-laced
brownies and "popped them right in the room." That drew reactions -
"most of them were grins or something's up" looks, she said - from
people in the hearing room. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Under legislation that passed out of the Senate committee to which Falco spoke, Illinoisans could legally grow and use marijuana to treat terminal illnesses and other debilitating health conditions. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Although the bill, Senate Bill 2568, was moved to the full Senate by a vote of only 6-5, the committee's action signaled a growing push in Illinois to legalize use of marijuana for medical purposes. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The medical cannabis bill is making its third appearance in the
General Assembly and is as close as it has ever been to becoming a
legislative reality. Previous bills have not made it through the
committee stage. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(14) BID TO DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA IS DEBATED (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Jimmy, a 30-year-old union carpenter from a New Bedford suburb, is
fond of smoking a joint with his wife after they have put the kids
to bed. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Jimmy, who doesn't want to give his real name because smoking
marijuana is illegal, said he doesn't drink much, so when he wants
to wind down, he uses marijuana. Occasionally, he smokes a little
pot during the day, even when driving, he said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
As a regular user, Jimmy said he has built up a tolerance to the
substance and claims marijuana doesn't interfere with his daily
life. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I think it's a lot safer than drinking," he said. "It doesn't
hinder my ability as much as drinking." | ||||||||||||||||||||
The area's legislative delegation doesn't agree. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Although a joint Senate/House committee has recommended making
possession of up to an ounce of marijuana a civil, rather than
criminal matter, many members of the area's legislative delegation
are against the idea. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(15) MARIJUANA DEFENDANT CLAIMS HE WAS TARGETED (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
A former Bloomingdale elementary and middle school counselor claims he has been targeted unfairly for prosecution on a marijuana charge because he has been a vocal advocate of legalizing drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"This is very much about my standing up against an unreasonable search and standing up against harassment," said Greg Francisco. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Francisco, 48, of Michigan 43, Paw Paw, will face a jury trial
within the next several months on a misdemeanor charge of possession
of marijuana on May 5 in Bloomingdale. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Francisco claims his truck was illegally targeted when a dog trained to sniff out controlled substances was brought to the middle school parking lot for a routine search. The search found a stem and some "roach" material in the truck that tested positive for marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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International News | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (16-19) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Drug prohibition, like the prohibition of alcohol before it, breeds
corruption. So few observers were surprised last week when "the
international community" (read: the U.S. and the U.K.) twitted the
nation of Kenya last week over irregularities in the disposal of
drugs from busts. From busting people for fake crack (sheet-rock),
to losing tons of buried cannabis, the U.S. is no stranger to funny
business with drug evidence. But after a 2004 coke bust in Kenya,
more cocaine has been smuggled to the U.K. via Kenya Airways,
leading narcs to suspect the 2004 coke isn't under Kenyan government
wraps after all. "It is important that the government of Kenya moves
as quickly as possible," demanded the U.S. Embassy. Having been told
to jump, expect Kenya to now ask, "How high?" | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Philippine island of Negros is zealous to keep up with the other
parts of the nation, keep up the jailings of "drug suspects," that
is. "The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Bureau of
Investigation and the Philippine National Police will not stop
running after drug suspects, despite apprehensions that government
will run out of cells for them," reported the Visayan Daily Star
newspaper. After a large bust in Manila last week President Gloria
Arroyo, in the midst of a coup attempt against her presidency,
called for yet another "all-out war" on drug users. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In what was called "a major concession" to Evo Morales, coca farmer and recently elected President of Bolivia, "the Bush administration has agreed to reconsider its counter-drug programs there," U.S. papers are reporting. The newly rediscovered "speak softly" policy on the part of the U.S. may be simply because they are left with little choice at the moment. U.S. papers, pretending the United States dictates the laws of Bolivia, also reported the Bush regime may even "allow" Bolivians to grow more coca in their own country, over the 30,000 acres of coca Bolivia grows now. Don't expect Washington D.C. prohibitionists to let the people of Bolivia democratically elect a coca farmer and get away with it for long. After all, what kind of message would that send to the children? | ||||||||||||||||||||
And finally, from Bermuda, we leave you with a few thoughts from
Israel Cason of Bermudians Against Narcotics, from a rally held last
week. "We cannot Police our way out. We cannot incarcerate our way
out. We've tried that and all we end up with are more prisons." Hear
hear. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(16) CUT TO THE CHASE, UK AND U.S. TELL KENYA OVER DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Nairobi - The Government is under unprecedented pressure from the
international community over the handling of the twin cocaine
seizures - one worth Sh6.4b and another worth Sh1.1b - by police in
December 2004. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The international community is demanding from the seemingly
reluctant Kenyan authorities that the drugs, according to one
diplomatic source, be tested, weighed and disposed in accordance
with the international standards. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The pressure from the representatives of the various foreign
missions in Nairobi and the relevant agencies of the United Nations,
diplomatic sources say, are still being exerted through quiet
diplomacy. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sources told The Sunday Standard that U.S. ambassador, William Bellamy, and the UK High Commissioner, Adam Wood, wondered why the government was procrastinating the disposal of the drugs even after it promised recently that the UN Office on Drugs and Crime would be invited to test each of the 954 packets of the seized cocaine. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The UN office on Drugs and Crime had in May last year applied to the
Kenyan authorities for permission to test each of the packets in a
bid to allay fears that it may have been interfered with, a request
to which President Mwai Kibaki acceded. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In a subsequent meeting between the UN representative and Wako later last year, the AG is said to have assured the international body that its experts would be allowed to test the drugs as requested. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In their meeting with the AG last week, the diplomats are reported
to have also expressed concern that, since the seizure, cocaine has
been finding its way to the UK through the Kenya Airways, something
that had never been witnessed before December 2004 when the
consignment was impounded. This, it is felt, appears to lend
credence to the now widely held view that the cocaine may not be
intact, after all. | ||||||||||||||||||||
When contacted for comment, Jennifer Barnes, the U.S. embassy's
press attachE, tacitly confirmed in a carefully crafted statement
that the meeting took place. "Mr Bellamy has had a number of
conversations with the government concerning that pile of drugs
(cocaine) that they have been holding. We are interested in having
the government test, weigh, verify and dispose of the drugs in
accordance with international standards. It is important that the
government of Kenya moves as quickly as possible," she said in a
statement she issued only after wide consultations. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(17) MORE DETENTION CELLS EYED FOR NEGRENSE DRUG SUSPECTS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Bureau of
Investigation and the Philippine National Police will not stop
running after drug suspects, despite apprehensions that government
will run out of cells for them. | ||||||||||||||||||||
PDEA chief SPO1 Manuel Boy Sanchez said Task Force 24 would even
strengthen its resolve to rid the streets of pushers, users and
suppliers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
With the declaration of President Gloria Arroyo for an all-out war against illegal drugs, the task force will not lower its guard against drug personalities in Dumaguete and Oriental Negros. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
He said the government might just have to construct additional cells
exclusively for drug offenders. The present city jail, which has a
capacity of 100, is now crowded with more than 200 inmates, 60
percent of whom face drug-related cases. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(18) U.S. RETHINKS STANCE ON COCA (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON -- In a major concession to new Bolivian President Evo
Morales, the Bush administration has agreed to reconsider its
counter-drug programs there. The United States is even hinting that
it might allow more coca farming. Concerned that more coca could
mean more cocaine, Washington has so far balked at easing Bolivia's
30,000-acre limit on legal production of coca, the raw ingredient
for cocaine. The cap is bitterly opposed by many poor Bolivian
farmers who helped elect Morales to the presidency. Thomas Shannon,
assistant secretary of state for the Western Hemisphere, said a
European Union study of the potential legal coca market would help
determine whether there was room for more coca plantations. "We
think that based on current legal limits, based on what the European
Union study is going to come up with, it will be possible for us to
have a conversation, a dialogue with Bolivia about what a legal
harvest could be," he told The Miami Herald. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The dialogue is the latest step in the Bush administration's
courtship of Morales, who repeatedly blasted Washington as an
imperialist power when he campaigned for office and flaunted his
friendships with Cuban leader Fidel Castro and Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Shannon met with Morales on Jan. 21, before he was sworn in.
Testifying before a House panel Thursday, Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice said, "We've tried to leave an opening there to
work with Bolivia," although she cautioned that statements about
coca production were "problematic." | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(19) POLICE BLITZES AND JAIL TERMS WILL NEVER END DRUG SCOURGE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
A recovered heroin addict who went on to found a U.S. drug
rehabilitation centre said Bermuda would never defeat the scourge
through Police crackdowns and imprisonment. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Israel Cason told a Bermudians Against Narcotics rally a possible solution was to get recovering junkies to help existing addicts. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Bermuda needs to realise it will only get worse if we don't do
something. We cannot Police our way out. We cannot incarcerate our
way out. We've tried that and all we end up with are more prisons.
The solution is in the problem, we get recovering addicts to help
out current addicts. People always say experts need to do it but may
I remind you that experts built the Titanic and amateurs built the
arch." | ||||||||||||||||||||
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HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
FRONTLINE - THE METH EPIDEMIC | ||||||||||||||||||||
In "The Meth Epidemic," FRONTLINE, in association with The Oregonian, investigates the meth rampage in America: the appalling impact on individuals, families and communities, and the difficulty of controlling an essential ingredient in meth-ephedrine and pseudoephedrine-sold legally in over-the-counter cold remedies. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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NEW DOCUMENTS SHED MORE LIGHT ON ALLEGED DEA CORRUPTION IN COLOMBIA | ||||||||||||||||||||
Names of Two of the Whistleblowers in the "Kent Memo" Are Revealed;
DEA's Former Bogota Chief May Be Involved in Cover-Up | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Bill Conroy, Special to The Narco News Bulletin, February 22,
2006 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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GREATER, MEANINGFUL INVOLVEMENT OF DRUG USERS IN WORK ON HIV/AIDS | ||||||||||||||||||||
A Public Health, Ethical and Human Rights Imperative | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network | ||||||||||||||||||||
http://www.aidslaw.ca/Maincontent/issues/druglaws/greater_involvement.htm | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
CULTURAL BAGGAGE RADIO SHOW | ||||||||||||||||||||
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LISTEN Live Fridays 8:00 PM, ET, 7:00 CT, 6:00 MT & 5:00 PT at
http://www.KPFT.org/ | ||||||||||||||||||||
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SUPREME COURT AYAHUASCA RULING | ||||||||||||||||||||
As reported by the Associated Press, the Washington Post, and the New
York Times, on Tuesday morning, February 21, 2006, the US Supreme Court
unanimously approved the religious use of ayahuasca by the Uniao do
Vegetal (UDV). | ||||||||||||||||||||
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THE OLYMPICS MEETS THE WAR ON DRUGS | ||||||||||||||||||||
Drug War Chronicle | ||||||||||||||||||||
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TONYA DAVIS OF THE OHIO PATIENT ACTION NETWORK ON WHIO TV | ||||||||||||||||||||
WHIO, a Dayton CBS OHIO affiliate, did a special news report on Tonya
Davis, Medical Marijuana patient, and President of the C4 arm of Ohio
Patient Network. (see www.ohiopatient.net) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tonya also runs a forum called MMJ Action Network, found at
http://www.mmjactionnetwork.com/ | ||||||||||||||||||||
The report is by Sallie Taylor. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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CONSERVATIVES CONSIDER DRUG POLICY REFORM AT CONFERENCE | ||||||||||||||||||||
For the second year in a row, DPA was involved in the Conservative Political Action Conference, billed as the largest gathering of conservative political activists in the country, to discuss the relevance of drug policy reform to the conservative agenda. | ||||||||||||||||||||
DPA's Deputy Director of National Affairs Ken Collins solicited the opinions of conference-goers on reform issues such as marijuana taxation and regulation, and treatment instead of incarceration. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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THE LOSER DRUG WAR AND SMARTER ALTERNATIVES | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday, Feb 26 2006, 11:00 a.m. ET | ||||||||||||||||||||
LEAP Speaker Norm Stamper is a guest on "Warren on the Weekend" on
radio station CKNW, Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Show host Peter Warren
will be talking to Norm about his new book "Breaking Rank" and issues
that affect police departments around the world, especially issues
involving drug prohibition. "Warren on the Weekend" is the most
listened to talk radio show in Canada. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Visit http://www.peterwarren.ca/ for more information and to verify
broadcast times in your area. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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WHAT YOU CAN DO THIS WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
IS THE DRUG WAR DAMAGING AMERICA? | ||||||||||||||||||||
DrugSense FOCUS Alert #324 - Wednesday, 22 February 2006 | ||||||||||||||||||||
In his column, below, the Wall Street Journal's Deputy Editor for
International Affairs George Melloan provides a lengthy list of
provocative criticisms of the modern day Prohibition - The War on
Drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Please consider writing a Letter to the Editor and sending it
immediately. Letters of 200 words or less are more likely to be
printed. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
STOP MARIJUANA RECRIMINALIZATION IN CINCINNATI AND OHIO | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ohio residents: Don't let Cincinnati City Council members start Ohio
down the path toward recriminalization of possession of small amounts
of marijuana. Join the Drug Policy Alliance in sending a message to
Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory and the nine members of the City Council
to reject any proposed ordinance that would do that. Ohio's marijuana
decrim law has served this state well for thirty years and has been a
model for the nation. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
LETTER OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
ADDICTED TO INSANITY | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Robert Fyffe | ||||||||||||||||||||
As a person who smokes pot on a regular basis, and has done for around 30 years now. As a person who has spent most of that time working, paying tax, and generally contributing to my community. | ||||||||||||||||||||
I have sat, and smoked, with people from all sectors of society, (
not just the junkies the government would have us believe are the
only face of drug use ). I have shared smoke with | ||||||||||||||||||||
Let the Government publicise the research papers showing the clear links between drug use and mental illness. I think they cannot, as all they have is the anecdotal evidence from the various community organisations who have to deal with the small percentage of drug users with a substance abuse problem. Substance abuse is a condition arising from deeper issues, that affects a small minority of drug users ( and I include alcohol in all references to drugs ). All the people I know who have a serious problem with drug abuse have been placed in that situation by the general, and mental, health systems. Having been treated for chronic pain with the highly addictive morphine, instead of non addictive non health threatening pure heroin. Or given overdoses of damaging amphetamines as children to deal with A.D.D./A.D.H.D. ( WAY TO GO MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM ). | ||||||||||||||||||||
It seems the Gov't would rather demonize a fairly large sector of
the community ( approx 30% ) in those of us who enjoy using a
substance other than alcohol for our recreation. Rather than render
effective health services to those who have a substance abuse
problem. | ||||||||||||||||||||
I simply cannot understand the current Government's stance on drug
prohibition. I had hoped that the trend toward liberalism, that
began in the seventies, would lead our governments to take a more
mature approach to the issues of substance use as a social issue,
and substance abuse as a health issue. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But it seems we'll be waiting a while longer yet before we see a
Gov't with the intestinal fortitude required to deal responsibly
(not hysterically ) with the issue. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Robert Fyffe, Rapid Creek | ||||||||||||||||||||
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FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
MORE STUPID LEGISLATORS | ||||||||||||||||||||
By Pete Guither | ||||||||||||||||||||
I am continually amazed at lawmakers' proud display of their
complete and absolute absence of even the barest glimmerings of
human intelligence. I have to assume that their parents still tie
their shoes for them. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Idaho lawmakers are taking their drug war all the way back to the
womb. There's a proposal making its way through the Legislature that
would make it a felony offense - punishable by up to five years in
jail and a $50,000 penalty - for a pregnant woman to take certain
drugs, among them marijuana, LSD and methamphetamine." | ||||||||||||||||||||
It didn't take long for the Idaho State Journal to find the glaring
problem with this: | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Pediatricians rightly worry that women using any of the above drugs will not seek prenatal care for fear of becoming a felon. | ||||||||||||||||||||
One local doctor also says the best time to convince a woman to stop taking drugs is when she's pregnant or has just given birth. Drive them underground and that opportunity may never present itself. | ||||||||||||||||||||
And what doctor wants to be the one calling the cops on patients?
What if the doctor doesn't call? Will the Legislature also send him
to jail for conspiracy, or harboring a fugitive?" | ||||||||||||||||||||
Perhaps we can rename State Senator Denton Darrington's bill. I'd
call it "The Discourage Pregnant Drug Addicts from Getting Medical
Help, Take Babies From Their Mothers, and Soak the Taxpayers With
Increased Prison and Welfare Costs Act." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Think it would pass then? | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pete Guither is the author of Drug WarRant - www.drugwarrant.com - a
weblog at the front lines of the drug war. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
"It is easy to get a thousand prescriptions but hard to get one single
remedy." -- Chinese Proverb | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
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