National African American Drug Policy Coalition Conference

This is a major conference being held at Howard University. The Conference program will focus on issues of what drug law policy changes should be seriously considered by the next Administration, establishing the same sentencing provisions for crack cocaine as for powder cocaine and repeal of mandatory sentencing laws and restoration of judicial discretion in sentencing, but with reasonable standards for appellate review. The program will also include panel discussions on increasing significantly the number of drug courts and their funding and supporting personnel, making sure that they reach more non-violent drug offenders in a culturally sensitive manner, and that the treatment duration is long enough to really be effective based on a public health medical standard. There will also be a panel discussion on using drug courts to provide necessary treatment for substance abuse, alcoholism and related mental health issues of returning veterans from Iraq, Afghanistan and other places abroad, and whether a system of drug courts should be created within the Federal courts to be presided over by United States Magistrate Judges which would include this function. In the area of juvenile justice, there will be presentation on the proposed Youth PROMISE Act - The Youth Prison Reduction through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support and Education Act. The policy positions set forth in this proposed Act are essential if we are to interrupt the pipeline of young African American youth headed to prison. In the area of adult criminal prosecution, we will focus in a separate panel on eliminating racial and ethnic disparities and bias in criminal prosecutions in the United States. We will present a discussion of the proposed Federal "Judicial Integrity Act of 2008" draft Bill introduced by Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on July 10, 2008 and whether there should be a similar pilot program developed for State prosecutors' offices in ten (10) States under a Federal justice assistance grant program. Finally, we will have an extended panel discussion on implementing the Second Chance Act signed into law this past April, how to make it effective and how to obtain needed appropriations and adequate supporting personnel. This presentation will also include a discussion on how can we overcome problems of literacy, and low education and skills level of many such former inmates, which are barriers for jobs existing in our economy in the 21st century. Finally, this panel will focus on how can we reduce significantly the recidivism rate by former prison inmates and assure the public safety. This promises to be one of the most substantive conferences to be recently held dealing with issues impacting the African American community, as well as other minority groups, and the healthcare, criminal and juvenile justice systems. Our speakers and panelists are among the most knowledgeable and expert in the field. For this two-day conference, including two luncheons, the early registration fee through Monday, September 15, 2008 is $160.00 payable by check to the "National African American Drug Policy Coalition, Inc." The Registration Fee after September 15, 2008 and on-site is $185.00. The Registration Fee should be mailed to Ms. Rosalee Morris, Administrative Assistant, Center for Drug Abuse Research, Howard University, Holy Cross Hall, Room 400, 2900 Van Ness Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Anyone with questions may call Senior Judge Arthur L. Burnett, Sr., National Executive Director, National African American Drug Policy Coalition, Inc. and Conference Planner at (202) 806-8622 or 806-8623 or send an e-mail to Aburnettsr@aol.com or call Ms. Rosalee Morris at (202) 806-8600.