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Drug War Chronicle Book Review: "Snitch: Informants, Cooperators, and the Corruption of Justice," by Ethan Brown (2007, Public Affairs Press, 273 pp., $25.95 HB)

Author Ethan Brown examines the rhyme and reason of the controversial "stop snitching" movement, and the abuses in drug law and enforcement that caused it to come to be.

Europe: Finland to Set Guidelines for Medical Marijuana Use

After one patient successfully challenged an agency's stance that Finnish law absolutely forbids it, the Finnish government is moving to craft guidelines to allow for medical marijuana use.

Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

Busy, busy this week, with miscreants in blue popping up all over the place. A New York City drug squad is under scrutiny, while a New Mexico drug squad gets back to work, a Boston cop goes to prison, and cops from Florida, Ohio, and Minnesota get busted for their shenanigans, as do a pair of Texas jailers.

Law Enforcement: Chicago's Courts Are in Crisis, and the Drug War Is a Big Contributor, Report Finds

Chicago's 26th Street Criminal Court Building handles more than 28,000 felony cases a year, more than half of them drug cases. That's too much, says a new report, which offers some recommendations for reducing the burden.

Grow-ops Growing Bigger

RCMP crime analyst,Parvin Girn did a master's thesis on marijuana grow ops.She says the average grow-op is now located in a house on a large lot,hidden behind bushes and growing more dope than ever.This is due to the recent crack down by authorities,she reports.She does give a mention to the collusion of the power company but only as a side bar.The average grow,sits on a 18,113 foot lot.She claims police have a harder time getting warrants due to having to remain off site to do observations.Any-one that buys that ,I have a bridge in Brooklyn you can buy,cheap.The average grow op has expanded to 488 plants from 277 with 178% more lights.Shipments have gone from 50 lbs to 500.Grows use more than 93 kws.

Appeal: DRCNet Has Made Amazing Progress in 2007 and We Need Your Help for 2008

An outline of DRCNet's plans and recent accomplishments and an appeal for your support to make it all happen.

Weekly: This Week in History

Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.

Drug Treatment: Federal Budget Provides Same Funding or Small Increases for Treatment, Prevention Programs, But Reduces Safe and Drug-Free Grants Program

As part of its massive omnibus appropriations bill passed this week, Congress has, for the most part, funded treatment and prevention programs at or slightly above previous levels.

Sentencing: New Jersey Moves to Shrink "Drug-Free Zones," Cops Protest

New Jersey's governor, all 21 county prosecutors, and the state sentencing commission all want to reform the state's "drug-free zone" law, but some New Jersey cops like things just the way they are.

Federal Budget: Drug Czar's Ad Campaign Takes a Hit, DC Can Do Needle Exchange, But More Funding for Law Enforcement

The 2008 federal budget is a done deal now. The drug czar's youth anti-drug media campaign takes a well-deserved hit and DC wins the right to spend its own money on needle exchanges. But the drug war juggernaut just keeps rolling on along as law enforcement wins big bucks.

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