Could modified cocaine treat individuals who are diagnosed with cocaine addiction? On January 1, 2008 the Houston Chronicle reported ("Houston scientists see hope in cocaine vaccine") that "The Baylor College of Medicine scientists have developed a cocaine vaccine, currently in clinical trials, that stimulates the immune system to attack the real thing when it's taken. As a result, cocaine no longer provides a kick. 'For people who have a desire to stop using, the vaccine should be very useful,' said Dr. Tom Kosten, a psychiatry professor who was assisted in the research by his wife, Therese, a psychologist and neuroscientist. Kosten says the idea goes back to the 1950s, when scientists devised a vaccine to treat potentially fatal overdoses of the then-popular heart medication digitalis, and the 1970s, when researchers experimented with a heroin vaccine before abandoning it. Kosten took up the idea in the mid-1990s, figuring cocaine was a better candidate because the enzyme for breaking it down is in the bloodstream, not the liver, like most drugs."
The Chronicle article explains, "Cocaine (and many other drug) molecules are so small the immune system fails to recognize them and make the antibodies necessary to mount an attack. To help the immune system, Kosten attached inactivated cocaine to the outside of inactivated cholera proteins. In response, the immune system not only makes antibodies to the combination, which is harmless, but also recognizes the potent naked drug when it's ingested. The antibodies bind to the cocaine and prevent it from reaching the brain, where it normally would generate the highs that are so addictive."
It was noted that, "The vaccine also could raise interesting ethical questions involving who should get inoculated and what happens if confidential information about those receiving it becomes known. Although developed for therapeutic purposes — the number of cocaine addicts in this country is estimated at more than 2 million — the vaccine eventually is expected to be used for prevention, as well. Vaccines' ethical concerns have occasioned academic papers, committee investigations and conferences. In a 2004 report, the National Academy of Sciences' Center for Studies of Behavior and Development lauded the new method's promise, but cautioned that it 'poses distinct behavioral, ethical, legal and social challenges that require careful scrutiny."
The noted further that "Kosten, who joined Baylor 18 months ago, asked the Food and Drug Administration in December to green-light a multi-institutional trial to begin in the spring. It presumably would be the final clinical hurdle before the vaccine might be approved for treatment. Over the years, Kosten notes, more than 50 pharmaceutical options have been investigated and found wanting."
Friday, January 25, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Border Agent Killed By Suspected Smuggler
The US Border Patrol lost a 6-year veteran agent in an incident in southern California when he was run down by a suspected drug smuggler attempting to flee pursuit.
The Los Angeles Times reported on Jan. 21, 2008 ("Agent's Death Highlights Attacks on Border Patrol") that "The off-road enthusiasts were revving their dune buggies and all-terrain vehicles Saturday morning when a brown Hummer suddenly cut into the campground. The man at the wheel, a suspected drug smuggler, was heading to Mexico, fast. U.S. Border Patrol Agent Luis Aguilar, the only person in the way, threw a spike strip in front of the car. The Hummer sped up. 'It looked like the man swerved and hit the agent intentionally,' said one witness. Aguilar, struck by the Hummer going an estimated 55 mph, died within minutes."
According to the Times, "Aguilar, 32, a six-year veteran, was part of an anti-smuggling team patrolling the scenic landscape of sand dunes and trailer-dotted campgrounds in southeast California. On weekends, when the dunes fill with riders, Mexican smugglers slip across the open border, trying to blend in with the other off-road vehicles. Authorities suspect the Hummer was carrying drugs. The suspects had been driving west on Interstate 8, but when they saw the Border Patrol following, they turned off the freeway and started speeding back to Mexico. On an access road to the Buttercup campground, just two miles from the border, Aguilar was waiting for them at an intersection. Authorities said it was unclear whether the suspect intentionally ran over the agent, or swerved to avoid the spike strip."
The Times noted that "Nationwide, assaults against Border Patrol agents rose from 752 in 2006 to 987 in 2007. Authorities say clashes are likely to continue as smugglers respond to beefed-up border security with more aggressive measures."
The Los Angeles Times reported on Jan. 21, 2008 ("Agent's Death Highlights Attacks on Border Patrol") that "The off-road enthusiasts were revving their dune buggies and all-terrain vehicles Saturday morning when a brown Hummer suddenly cut into the campground. The man at the wheel, a suspected drug smuggler, was heading to Mexico, fast. U.S. Border Patrol Agent Luis Aguilar, the only person in the way, threw a spike strip in front of the car. The Hummer sped up. 'It looked like the man swerved and hit the agent intentionally,' said one witness. Aguilar, struck by the Hummer going an estimated 55 mph, died within minutes."
According to the Times, "Aguilar, 32, a six-year veteran, was part of an anti-smuggling team patrolling the scenic landscape of sand dunes and trailer-dotted campgrounds in southeast California. On weekends, when the dunes fill with riders, Mexican smugglers slip across the open border, trying to blend in with the other off-road vehicles. Authorities suspect the Hummer was carrying drugs. The suspects had been driving west on Interstate 8, but when they saw the Border Patrol following, they turned off the freeway and started speeding back to Mexico. On an access road to the Buttercup campground, just two miles from the border, Aguilar was waiting for them at an intersection. Authorities said it was unclear whether the suspect intentionally ran over the agent, or swerved to avoid the spike strip."
The Times noted that "Nationwide, assaults against Border Patrol agents rose from 752 in 2006 to 987 in 2007. Authorities say clashes are likely to continue as smugglers respond to beefed-up border security with more aggressive measures."
Friday, January 18, 2008
Ohio Town Protests Police Shooting
Residents of Lima, OH, are protesting the recent killing of a young woman and wounding of her 14-month-old child during a police SWAT-team raid.
The Toledo Blade reported on Jan. 17, 2008 ("Angry Lima Slams Shooting Inquiry") that "On Jan. 4, Tarika Wilson, 26, was shot to death and her 14-month-old son, Sincere, was wounded when members of the Lima Police Department's SWAT team searched Wilson's East Third Street home and arrested her boyfriend, Anthony Terry, 31, on drug charges. At some point during the 8:15 p.m. raid, Sgt. Joseph Chavalia, a 30-year veteran of the department, fired at Wilson, who was holding her young son in her arms. Her five other children were in the house at the time."
According to the Blade, "Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann came to town yesterday to assure Lima residents that his office would do a thorough and unbiased investigation into the fatal shooting of a local woman by a Lima police officer. Instead, he got an earful. For more than two hours, Mr. Dann and representatives of the FBI and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation listened as black and white residents expressed their distrust of the Lima police department, told stories of how they allegedly had been harassed by officers, and demanded to know how they could expect the state law enforcement agency to impartially investigate the actions of another law enforcement agency."
The Blade noted that "The state's findings are to be turned over to Defiance County Prosecutor Jeff Strausbaugh, who was appointed special prosecutor. Mr. Strausbaugh said he will review BCI&I's findings and determine whether or not the case should be presented to an Allen County grand jury for possible criminal charges against Sergeant Chavalia. 'I want an investigation that's been done independently, competently, and very thoroughly,' Mr. Strausbaugh said, adding that he was 'independent' of Lima and Allen County. FBI spokesman Scott Wilson said agents from the Toledo office also are investigating the case for possible federal civil-rights violations. Their findings will be turned over to the U.S. Department of Justice. Officials declined to discuss any details of the investigations. Several people in the audience asked why the probe should take so much time when it should be clear what happened. 'You've given us nothing,' said Thelma Flint. 'This case is open and shut. She was murdered. She was with her children.'"
The Toledo Blade reported on Jan. 17, 2008 ("Angry Lima Slams Shooting Inquiry") that "On Jan. 4, Tarika Wilson, 26, was shot to death and her 14-month-old son, Sincere, was wounded when members of the Lima Police Department's SWAT team searched Wilson's East Third Street home and arrested her boyfriend, Anthony Terry, 31, on drug charges. At some point during the 8:15 p.m. raid, Sgt. Joseph Chavalia, a 30-year veteran of the department, fired at Wilson, who was holding her young son in her arms. Her five other children were in the house at the time."
According to the Blade, "Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann came to town yesterday to assure Lima residents that his office would do a thorough and unbiased investigation into the fatal shooting of a local woman by a Lima police officer. Instead, he got an earful. For more than two hours, Mr. Dann and representatives of the FBI and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation listened as black and white residents expressed their distrust of the Lima police department, told stories of how they allegedly had been harassed by officers, and demanded to know how they could expect the state law enforcement agency to impartially investigate the actions of another law enforcement agency."
The Blade noted that "The state's findings are to be turned over to Defiance County Prosecutor Jeff Strausbaugh, who was appointed special prosecutor. Mr. Strausbaugh said he will review BCI&I's findings and determine whether or not the case should be presented to an Allen County grand jury for possible criminal charges against Sergeant Chavalia. 'I want an investigation that's been done independently, competently, and very thoroughly,' Mr. Strausbaugh said, adding that he was 'independent' of Lima and Allen County. FBI spokesman Scott Wilson said agents from the Toledo office also are investigating the case for possible federal civil-rights violations. Their findings will be turned over to the U.S. Department of Justice. Officials declined to discuss any details of the investigations. Several people in the audience asked why the probe should take so much time when it should be clear what happened. 'You've given us nothing,' said Thelma Flint. 'This case is open and shut. She was murdered. She was with her children.'"
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Colorado Couple Sue Police Over Seized Medical Cannabis
A Ft. Collins, CO couple are suing police over medical marijuana which was seized and destroyed.
The Ft. Collins Coloradan reported on Jan. 17, 2008 ("Fort Collins Couple to Ask City for Reimbursement for Dead Marijuana Plants") that "The attorney for James and Lisa Masters, whose 39 medical marijuana plants were seized by Fort Collins police and later destroyed, plans to file a motion this afternoon asking the city pay the couple for the destroyed plants. Police confiscated the plants in an August 2006 raid on the Masters’ Fort Collins home. Criminal charges against the couple were dismissed in June 2007. A judge in November ordered police to return the seized plants. The plants were dead when police returned them in December."
The Coloradan noted that "U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration estimates put the value of the plants at thousands of dollars each, according to attorney Brian Vicente."
The Ft. Collins Coloradan reported on Jan. 17, 2008 ("Fort Collins Couple to Ask City for Reimbursement for Dead Marijuana Plants") that "The attorney for James and Lisa Masters, whose 39 medical marijuana plants were seized by Fort Collins police and later destroyed, plans to file a motion this afternoon asking the city pay the couple for the destroyed plants. Police confiscated the plants in an August 2006 raid on the Masters’ Fort Collins home. Criminal charges against the couple were dismissed in June 2007. A judge in November ordered police to return the seized plants. The plants were dead when police returned them in December."
The Coloradan noted that "U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration estimates put the value of the plants at thousands of dollars each, according to attorney Brian Vicente."
Marc Emery Takes Deal, Will Do Five Years In Prison
Canada's self-styled "Prince of Pot," Marc Emery, has reportedly accepted a deal offered by US prosecutors and will serve five years in prison on cannabis-related charges.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported on Jan. 16, 2008 ("'Prince of Pot' Given Prison Time") that "Although the plea deal has not yet been formally adopted, Emery said Tuesday that he's agreed to the prosecution's terms: that he serve a minimum of five years behind bars. Most of that time would be done in a Canadian prison, he said. Emery had been facing a mandatory minimum term of 10 years and up to life if convicted in U.S. District Court for a crime that's rarely prosecuted in Canada. The plea agreement calls for him to plead guilty to a three-count indictment issued in 2005 by a Seattle grand jury. He was charged with manufacturing more than a ton of marijuana and conspiring to distribute seeds and launder the profits."
According to the Post-Intelligencer, "Emery said the plea deal is contingent on sparing two longtime associates, also charged in the indictment, any jail time. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg on Tuesday declined to comment on the plea bargain outlined by Emery. He said an extradition hearing scheduled to begin Monday in Vancouver so far hasn't been canceled."
The P-I noted that "As support for his allegation that his prosecution was politically motivated, Emery prominently displays on his Web site a statement from Karen Tandy, the administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration at the time. To the dismay of the federal criminal justice establishment in Seattle, Tandy issued a statement after Emery's arrest in July 2005, saying: 'Today's DEA arrest of Marc Scott Emery, publisher of Cannabis Culture magazine, and the founder of a marijuana legalization group -- is a significant blow not only to the marijuana trafficking trade in the U.S. and Canada, but also the marijuana legalization movement. Hundreds of thousands of dollars of Emery's illicit profits are known to have been channeled to marijuana legalization groups active in the United States and Canada. Drug legalization lobbyists now have one less pot of money to rely on.'"
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported on Jan. 16, 2008 ("'Prince of Pot' Given Prison Time") that "Although the plea deal has not yet been formally adopted, Emery said Tuesday that he's agreed to the prosecution's terms: that he serve a minimum of five years behind bars. Most of that time would be done in a Canadian prison, he said. Emery had been facing a mandatory minimum term of 10 years and up to life if convicted in U.S. District Court for a crime that's rarely prosecuted in Canada. The plea agreement calls for him to plead guilty to a three-count indictment issued in 2005 by a Seattle grand jury. He was charged with manufacturing more than a ton of marijuana and conspiring to distribute seeds and launder the profits."
According to the Post-Intelligencer, "Emery said the plea deal is contingent on sparing two longtime associates, also charged in the indictment, any jail time. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg on Tuesday declined to comment on the plea bargain outlined by Emery. He said an extradition hearing scheduled to begin Monday in Vancouver so far hasn't been canceled."
The P-I noted that "As support for his allegation that his prosecution was politically motivated, Emery prominently displays on his Web site a statement from Karen Tandy, the administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration at the time. To the dismay of the federal criminal justice establishment in Seattle, Tandy issued a statement after Emery's arrest in July 2005, saying: 'Today's DEA arrest of Marc Scott Emery, publisher of Cannabis Culture magazine, and the founder of a marijuana legalization group -- is a significant blow not only to the marijuana trafficking trade in the U.S. and Canada, but also the marijuana legalization movement. Hundreds of thousands of dollars of Emery's illicit profits are known to have been channeled to marijuana legalization groups active in the United States and Canada. Drug legalization lobbyists now have one less pot of money to rely on.'"
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
PA School Boards Consider Drug Testing For New Hires
Two school districts in Pennsylvania are considering adoption of a drug testing policy for new teacher hires following the 2007 arrest of a principal in a nearby district for drug trafficking.
The Express-Times reported on Jan. 14, 2008 ("Boards Consider Drug Tests for Teacher Hires") that "The Easton and Bethlehem Area school districts are considering pre-employment drug-testing policies for their teachers and staff similar to one passed three months ago by the Northampton Area School District. The Bethlehem district considered a random drug-testing policy last year shortly after Acerra was arrested. District officials relented when a solicitor said it would violate the constitutional rights of teachers. But testing them before they are hired would be acceptable, legal experts say. Steven Miller, Northampton Area School District's solicitor, said the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upheld the right of school districts to drug test teacher and staff applicants, in the 1998 case Knox County Education Association vs. Knox County Board of Education."
According to the Express-Times, "Easton Area School Board members will discuss a pre-employment policy at their Thursday board meeting. Bethlehem Area Superintendent Joseph Lewis said he has written a policy draft and will present it to his board in upcoming months. Neither board is considering a random drug-testing policy. Although federal guidelines require bus drivers to submit to random drug tests, the Bethlehem board solicitor found last year teachers and staff are protected from random tests by the Fourth Amendment."
The Express-Times noted that "Easton Area's Acting Superintendent Joseph Kish said if a district wanted to try implementing random testing, the teachers union would have to agree to it during contract negotiations. Easton Area's teachers contract was approved last month with no such provision. Kevin Deely, Easton Area Education Association president, said the union had no problems with Easton implementing a drug-screening policy for prospective employees. 'That's the district's prerogative,' Deely said. 'We don't want teachers in the classroom who are abusing substances and the district obviously doesn't want that either.'"
The Express-Times reported on Jan. 14, 2008 ("Boards Consider Drug Tests for Teacher Hires") that "The Easton and Bethlehem Area school districts are considering pre-employment drug-testing policies for their teachers and staff similar to one passed three months ago by the Northampton Area School District. The Bethlehem district considered a random drug-testing policy last year shortly after Acerra was arrested. District officials relented when a solicitor said it would violate the constitutional rights of teachers. But testing them before they are hired would be acceptable, legal experts say. Steven Miller, Northampton Area School District's solicitor, said the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upheld the right of school districts to drug test teacher and staff applicants, in the 1998 case Knox County Education Association vs. Knox County Board of Education."
According to the Express-Times, "Easton Area School Board members will discuss a pre-employment policy at their Thursday board meeting. Bethlehem Area Superintendent Joseph Lewis said he has written a policy draft and will present it to his board in upcoming months. Neither board is considering a random drug-testing policy. Although federal guidelines require bus drivers to submit to random drug tests, the Bethlehem board solicitor found last year teachers and staff are protected from random tests by the Fourth Amendment."
The Express-Times noted that "Easton Area's Acting Superintendent Joseph Kish said if a district wanted to try implementing random testing, the teachers union would have to agree to it during contract negotiations. Easton Area's teachers contract was approved last month with no such provision. Kevin Deely, Easton Area Education Association president, said the union had no problems with Easton implementing a drug-screening policy for prospective employees. 'That's the district's prerogative,' Deely said. 'We don't want teachers in the classroom who are abusing substances and the district obviously doesn't want that either.'"
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
California Considering Early Release of 22,000 Prison Inmates
The state of California is considering a plan by that state's governor to ease prison overcrowding through the early release of more than 22,000 inmates.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Jan. 12, 2008 ("22,000 Prisoners Could be Set Free Early to Save Millions") that "Less than six months ago, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger promised that there was no way any California convict was going to get a break on his prison term. 'I am here to tell you that the early release of inmates is totally unacceptable,' the governor said July 28. 'They should only be let out when they have served their sentences and are ready to return to society. Period.' But with the state facing a $14.5 billion budget deficit over the next 18 months, Schwarzenegger on Thursday announced that more than 22,000 nonviolent offenders will be released as much as 20 months early over the next year and a half in an effort to slash $260 million from the Department of Corrections budget. About half the inmates eligible for the early release program are expected to be drug offenders, with most of the rest in custody for property crimes like forgery, auto burglary and car theft, corrections officials say."
According to the Chronicle, "The state expects to save another $110 million by placing the former inmates on 'summary parole,' which means they won't have to meet with parole officers and can't be returned to prison for a parole violation. A panel of federal judges, upset about overcrowding in the state prison system, is ready to slap a cap on the prison population, the governor said, just as the state's fiscal crisis is forcing 10 percent, across-the-board cuts in state spending."
The Chronicle noted that "The new parole rules for such nonviolent offenders also mean they can't be quickly returned to prison violating parole. If police discover someone on summary parole with narcotics, for example, they can't simply ask a judge to send him to prison. They will have to file new charges and put the parolee on trial, a long and often expensive proposition. If Schwarzenegger gets his way, plenty of ex-convicts are going to be back on the street and local officials are worried about what that will mean. Even nonviolent offenders often return to their communities with drug problems, no jobs and no place to stay, said Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson."
The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Jan. 12, 2008 ("22,000 Prisoners Could be Set Free Early to Save Millions") that "Less than six months ago, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger promised that there was no way any California convict was going to get a break on his prison term. 'I am here to tell you that the early release of inmates is totally unacceptable,' the governor said July 28. 'They should only be let out when they have served their sentences and are ready to return to society. Period.' But with the state facing a $14.5 billion budget deficit over the next 18 months, Schwarzenegger on Thursday announced that more than 22,000 nonviolent offenders will be released as much as 20 months early over the next year and a half in an effort to slash $260 million from the Department of Corrections budget. About half the inmates eligible for the early release program are expected to be drug offenders, with most of the rest in custody for property crimes like forgery, auto burglary and car theft, corrections officials say."
According to the Chronicle, "The state expects to save another $110 million by placing the former inmates on 'summary parole,' which means they won't have to meet with parole officers and can't be returned to prison for a parole violation. A panel of federal judges, upset about overcrowding in the state prison system, is ready to slap a cap on the prison population, the governor said, just as the state's fiscal crisis is forcing 10 percent, across-the-board cuts in state spending."
The Chronicle noted that "The new parole rules for such nonviolent offenders also mean they can't be quickly returned to prison violating parole. If police discover someone on summary parole with narcotics, for example, they can't simply ask a judge to send him to prison. They will have to file new charges and put the parolee on trial, a long and often expensive proposition. If Schwarzenegger gets his way, plenty of ex-convicts are going to be back on the street and local officials are worried about what that will mean. Even nonviolent offenders often return to their communities with drug problems, no jobs and no place to stay, said Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson."
Friday, January 11, 2008
Canada: Court Ends Government Monopoly on Legal Medical Marijuana
A Canadian Federal Court ruling has struck down a provision of that country's medical marijuana law which required approved users to get their medicine from a government supplier.
According to a Canadian Press report published Jan. 11, 2008 ("Decision Opens Field for Medical Marijuana Growers"), "The decision by Judge Barry Strayer, released late Thursday, essentially grants medical marijuana users more freedom in picking their own grower and allows growers to supply the drug to more than one patient. It's also another blow to the federal government, whose attempts to tightly control access to medical marijuana have prompted numerous court challenges. Currently, medical users can grow their own pot but growers can't supply the drug to more than one user at a time."
The Canadian Press reported that "In his decision, Strayer called the provision unconstitutional and arbitrary, as it 'caused individuals a major difficulty with access. . .' Ottawa must also reconsider requests made by a group of medical users who brought the matter to court to have a single outside supplier as their designated producer, Strayer said in his 23-page decision. While the government has argued that medical users who can't grow their own marijuana can obtain it from its contract manufacturer, fewer than 20 per cent of patients actually use the government's supply, Strayer wrote. 'In my view it is not tenable for the government, consistently with the right established in other courts for qualified medical users to have reasonable access to marijuana, to force them either to buy from the government contractor, grow their own or be limited to the unnecessarily restrictive system of designated producers,' he wrote. "
According to a Canadian Press report published Jan. 11, 2008 ("Decision Opens Field for Medical Marijuana Growers"), "The decision by Judge Barry Strayer, released late Thursday, essentially grants medical marijuana users more freedom in picking their own grower and allows growers to supply the drug to more than one patient. It's also another blow to the federal government, whose attempts to tightly control access to medical marijuana have prompted numerous court challenges. Currently, medical users can grow their own pot but growers can't supply the drug to more than one user at a time."
The Canadian Press reported that "In his decision, Strayer called the provision unconstitutional and arbitrary, as it 'caused individuals a major difficulty with access. . .' Ottawa must also reconsider requests made by a group of medical users who brought the matter to court to have a single outside supplier as their designated producer, Strayer said in his 23-page decision. While the government has argued that medical users who can't grow their own marijuana can obtain it from its contract manufacturer, fewer than 20 per cent of patients actually use the government's supply, Strayer wrote. 'In my view it is not tenable for the government, consistently with the right established in other courts for qualified medical users to have reasonable access to marijuana, to force them either to buy from the government contractor, grow their own or be limited to the unnecessarily restrictive system of designated producers,' he wrote. "
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Cleveland Mayor: "We Expect More Confrontations"
The city of Cleveland, OH, is bracing for the possibility of heightened violence as its mayor, Frank Jackson, announces a crackdown by law enforcement.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported on Jan. 10, 2008 ("Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson Expects Crackdown to Result in Violence") that "Jackson told the police this week to be more aggressive in targeting gun-toting drug dealers. He has said repeatedly that he expects there to be violent, perhaps deadly, run-ins between police and criminals. 'This is not a game,' Jackson said Wednesday. 'People are killing each other. We expect more confrontations.' At least one local defense lawyer worries that the cornerstone of Jackson's plan -- pairing police with federal agents to seek out and confront criminals carrying guns -- will result in police indiscriminately going after young black men. 'What troubled me is the idea that police officers can tell who is concealing a weapon,' said defense attorney Terry Gilbert, who has sued several police officers over the years, claiming they violated people's civil rights."
According to the Plain Dealer, "Jackson officially announced his plan at a City Hall news conference Wednesday. It comes as the city's homicide total hit a 13-year high last year. Undercover police and federal agents will do nearly daily stings, observing people in high-crime areas. If they suspect the people are carrying guns, the undercover officers will call in patrol officers who will approach the suspects and ask if they are carrying weapons. Jackson and Police Chief Michael McGrath acknowledged that most of these operations will occur on the predominantly black East Side, but denied suggestions that the gun stings will result in racial profiling. Certain areas will be targeted based on crime statistics. "
The Plain Dealer noted that "Two councilmen applauded the plan, but warned that Jackson has much work to do in selling it to the black community. Councilman Kevin Conwell said the relationship between some black residents and the police has become adversarial. 'They see them just like a military force,' said Conwell, who leads council's Public Safety Committee. 'If you bring in a military force, you better have a relationship with the community.'"
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported on Jan. 10, 2008 ("Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson Expects Crackdown to Result in Violence") that "Jackson told the police this week to be more aggressive in targeting gun-toting drug dealers. He has said repeatedly that he expects there to be violent, perhaps deadly, run-ins between police and criminals. 'This is not a game,' Jackson said Wednesday. 'People are killing each other. We expect more confrontations.' At least one local defense lawyer worries that the cornerstone of Jackson's plan -- pairing police with federal agents to seek out and confront criminals carrying guns -- will result in police indiscriminately going after young black men. 'What troubled me is the idea that police officers can tell who is concealing a weapon,' said defense attorney Terry Gilbert, who has sued several police officers over the years, claiming they violated people's civil rights."
According to the Plain Dealer, "Jackson officially announced his plan at a City Hall news conference Wednesday. It comes as the city's homicide total hit a 13-year high last year. Undercover police and federal agents will do nearly daily stings, observing people in high-crime areas. If they suspect the people are carrying guns, the undercover officers will call in patrol officers who will approach the suspects and ask if they are carrying weapons. Jackson and Police Chief Michael McGrath acknowledged that most of these operations will occur on the predominantly black East Side, but denied suggestions that the gun stings will result in racial profiling. Certain areas will be targeted based on crime statistics. "
The Plain Dealer noted that "Two councilmen applauded the plan, but warned that Jackson has much work to do in selling it to the black community. Councilman Kevin Conwell said the relationship between some black residents and the police has become adversarial. 'They see them just like a military force,' said Conwell, who leads council's Public Safety Committee. 'If you bring in a military force, you better have a relationship with the community.'"
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Drug Truth Network
CSDP's Director of Research Doug McVay is a regular contributor to the Drug Truth Network's radio programs as well as doing video work. Subscribe to the Cultural Baggage, Century of Lies, and 4:20 News podcasts as well as a podcast of Doug's weekly DTN segment and stay informed!
Lowest-Priority Law for Cannabis Works ... for Whites
According to a new evaluation, the number of marijuana arrests in the city of Seattle has declined since passage of I-75, at least for some. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported on Jan. 8, 2008 ("Pot Arrests Higher for Blacks in City") that "In late 2003, Seattle voters approved an initiative directing city law enforcement to treat personal marijuana use by adults as its lowest priority. Since then, the overall number of cases investigated by police and pursued by city prosecutors has dropped, the report found."
According to the Post-Intelligencer, "White Seattleites have enjoyed a disproportionately larger share of the reduction in misdemeanor marijuana charges -- compared with black people -- since Seattle voters designated such crimes the city's lowest law enforcement priority, according to a new city study. Overall, police and prosecutors less often pursue possession charges against both blacks and whites. But the proportion of those charged who are African-American has grown. In fact, although whites vastly outnumber black men and women in Seattle, authorities arrested and charged more African-Americans in 2006 on marijuana allegations, according to a report presented by the Marijuana Policy Review Panel. The panel recommended officials dig deeper into that data to determine what is causing the disparity. 'The report highlights the racial disparity in marijuana enforcement, which is indicative of the disparity of all drug enforcement,' said Dominic Holden, who was chairman of the Initiative 75 campaign and a member of the review panel."
The P-I noted that "In 2003, Seattle police referred 181 male suspects to prosecutors for marijuana allegations. That figure dropped in 2004, but edged back up to 134 in 2006. Over the same period, the proportion of cases that police referred to prosecutors against black suspects grew compared with white suspects. The share of white men that police sought to charge dropped slightly, while the proportion of black males among the suspects grew from 52 percent to 57 percent. Among female suspects there was a larger disparity, although police sought charges against very few women. In 2003, black women made up 35 percent of the female suspects. Three years later, they accounted for half of the 14 women police sought to charge. The numbers were similar among charges filed by prosecutors. In 2003, city attorneys filed marijuana cases against 123 men and 19 women. Those numbers dropped significantly in 2004 and 2005. But charges against men jumped back up to 116 in 2006. The proportion of defendants who were black grew slightly over that period. The report also found no indications the policy resulted in a jump in crime rates, increased marijuana use by youth or negative implications to public health."
The "Final Report of the Marijuana Policy Review Panel" is available online.
According to the Post-Intelligencer, "White Seattleites have enjoyed a disproportionately larger share of the reduction in misdemeanor marijuana charges -- compared with black people -- since Seattle voters designated such crimes the city's lowest law enforcement priority, according to a new city study. Overall, police and prosecutors less often pursue possession charges against both blacks and whites. But the proportion of those charged who are African-American has grown. In fact, although whites vastly outnumber black men and women in Seattle, authorities arrested and charged more African-Americans in 2006 on marijuana allegations, according to a report presented by the Marijuana Policy Review Panel. The panel recommended officials dig deeper into that data to determine what is causing the disparity. 'The report highlights the racial disparity in marijuana enforcement, which is indicative of the disparity of all drug enforcement,' said Dominic Holden, who was chairman of the Initiative 75 campaign and a member of the review panel."
The P-I noted that "In 2003, Seattle police referred 181 male suspects to prosecutors for marijuana allegations. That figure dropped in 2004, but edged back up to 134 in 2006. Over the same period, the proportion of cases that police referred to prosecutors against black suspects grew compared with white suspects. The share of white men that police sought to charge dropped slightly, while the proportion of black males among the suspects grew from 52 percent to 57 percent. Among female suspects there was a larger disparity, although police sought charges against very few women. In 2003, black women made up 35 percent of the female suspects. Three years later, they accounted for half of the 14 women police sought to charge. The numbers were similar among charges filed by prosecutors. In 2003, city attorneys filed marijuana cases against 123 men and 19 women. Those numbers dropped significantly in 2004 and 2005. But charges against men jumped back up to 116 in 2006. The proportion of defendants who were black grew slightly over that period. The report also found no indications the policy resulted in a jump in crime rates, increased marijuana use by youth or negative implications to public health."
The "Final Report of the Marijuana Policy Review Panel" is available online.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Increasing Penalties for Pot Would Not Keep Young People From Using
Young people would not likely be deterred from trying marijuana if the penalties for possession were increased, researchers in England say.
The Independent on Sunday reported on Jan. 6, 2008 ("Reclassifying Cannabis Would Make No Difference to Young") that "Reclassifying cannabis would be pointless and therefore unlikely to make any difference to young users of the drug, according to a new report by some of the country's top criminal policy experts. Cannabis has now become such an important part of youth culture that a new generation of users are supplying each other with the drug, buying and sharing it with friends and relatives. A team of researchers from the Institute for Criminal Policy Research ( ICPR ) led by Professor Mike Hough, a senior adviser to the Home Office, has concluded that the 'social supply' of cannabis has almost entirely cut out traditional drug dealers and therefore needs a new approach. Their findings reveal that 90 per cent of young users can get hold of cannabis in under a day - with the majority able to get it within an hour."
According to the Independent, "Researchers conclude that 'the findings from this and other studies show that cannabis use is significantly embedded in the social world of many young people. It is unlikely a marginal change in the drug's legal status will have an impact.'"
The report is available from the ICPR website at King's College London.
The Independent on Sunday reported on Jan. 6, 2008 ("Reclassifying Cannabis Would Make No Difference to Young") that "Reclassifying cannabis would be pointless and therefore unlikely to make any difference to young users of the drug, according to a new report by some of the country's top criminal policy experts. Cannabis has now become such an important part of youth culture that a new generation of users are supplying each other with the drug, buying and sharing it with friends and relatives. A team of researchers from the Institute for Criminal Policy Research ( ICPR ) led by Professor Mike Hough, a senior adviser to the Home Office, has concluded that the 'social supply' of cannabis has almost entirely cut out traditional drug dealers and therefore needs a new approach. Their findings reveal that 90 per cent of young users can get hold of cannabis in under a day - with the majority able to get it within an hour."
According to the Independent, "Researchers conclude that 'the findings from this and other studies show that cannabis use is significantly embedded in the social world of many young people. It is unlikely a marginal change in the drug's legal status will have an impact.'"
The report is available from the ICPR website at King's College London.
Common Sense for Drug Policy
Common Sense for Drug Policy is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to reforming drug policy and expanding harm reduction. CSDP disseminates factual information and comments on existing laws, policies and practices. CSDP provides advice and assistance to individuals and organizations and facilitates coalition building. CSDP supports syringe exchanges, the expansion of Methadone and Buprenorphine availability and other public health measures to reduce harm to users and restrict the spread of HIV / AIDS and Hepatitis C. CSDP advocates the regulation and control of marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol and subject to local option. CSDP favors decriminalizing the use of hard drugs and providing them only through prescription. CSDP also advocates clear federal guidelines for the practice of pain management so that physicians need not fear unwarranted law enforcement scrutiny of medical practices.
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