Newsletter

Issue IV, Volume II LEAP in Action September 2008 This issue… • Make the LEAP • Volunteer of the Month • State by State • Making Media • International Overtures Make the LEAP Volunteer of the Month “Tried and true activists bring LEAP into what they do” Rob Ryan is both tried and true. Rob works hard at his day job but always finds time for activism. As an experienced local reformer focusing on medical marijuana, he immediately recognized the impact of the LEAP message. Since our creation in 2002, Rob has been a savvy, hard-working supporter of our speakers. Rob regularly books civic gigs or finds other quality audiences for our messengers around his home town of Cincinnati, Ohio. Rob uses every opportunity to educate his friends about drug policy. In 2006 and 2007 he was instrumental in placing resolutions before the national convention of Amnesty International, calling for their support in ending prohibition. While at the conference he also created a table top display promoting LEAP. LEAP celebrates local activism and is honored to have Rob as our volunteer of the month. We value skilled activists who are using their talents to bring the LEAP message to their community leaders. State by State Contributed by Barb Humphrey (NY), Speakers Bureau Administrative Assistant The Leap Speakers Deliver Powerful Messages Heard ‘Round the World Following up with hosts of LEAP speaking engagements gives me the opportunity to not only thank them for the booking and put in a plug for a future engagement, but also to gauge the impact of the drug legalization message being delivered around the world by LEAP speakers. As expected, on college campuses, LEAP speakers, who often are guests of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, encounter receptive audiences. Speakers such as Rick Van Wickler, Peter Christ, Jay Fisher, and Jeff Kaufman we were well received earlier this year on college campuses in Texas, Ohio, Tennessee, New York, and elsewhere. Mixed reactions are expected from older audiences, especially if there are representatives of law enforcement in the audience. But a number of rotaries, such as Blairstown in New Jersey, expressed support for LEAP’s efforts to change drug policy as a better way to keep kids safe following Peter Christ’s presentation. Jim Doherty was pleasantly surprised to discover that Kiwanis members in Seattle were already on board with the drug policy reform movement, having already heard from the King County Bar Association and the organizer of the Seattle Hempfest. Nebraskans were appreciative that Tony Ryan’s message of drug legalization was delivered with credibility, professionalism and kindness, especially in response to audience misconceptions that drug legalization condones drug use. They appreciated the opportunity to hear his novel message and for the thoughtful discussion this message stimulated. Mike Gilbert’s host at the San Antonio Senior Citizens Walking Club told us he was relieved that “no one castigated me for arranging the program. Also, judging by the questions asked, he had some that agreed with him.” Reading the response to Russ Jones’ presentation to the New Braunfels Evening Lions Club reminded me why we all work so hard to book LEAP speakers: “Russ Jones was outstanding! His presentation was informative, professional and convincing. I have not been a supporter of legalizing drugs; however, Russ' program, followed by a question & answer period made one consider the “War on Drugs" from a whole new perspective. His power point presentation was easy to follow and contributed to the overall presentation. Russ is an impressive individual -- one you have to honor. I will be recommending Russ to other civic organizations for future speaking engagements.” In August, LEAP speakers went to Alaska and New Zealand; more about New Zealand in International Overtures. This from the Anchorage South Rotary in response to Mike Gilbert’s presentation in early August: “Mike's presentation was great. Our members were very interested and it was worth everyone's time. Thanks.” I am looking forward to sharing New Zealanders’ responses to Jerry Paradis’ presentations in next month’s LEAP Report. Making Media You don’t have to look far before you find LEAP in the media. The highlight of this month has to be the Colorado Springs Gazette editorial published during the height of the Democratic National Convention. The Gazette’s opinion piece “Decades of effort yield few results” published on August 25, 2008 and available on line at http://www.gazette.com/opinion/drug_39743___article.html/war_drugs.html has this to say about the other US war… “In this campaign season, critics often hammer Sen. John McCain for his comment that he could see U.S. troops in Iraq for another 100 years. Although the senator meant the U.S. role in Iraq would be similar to our role in Germany and South Korea, not actively fighting insurgents, as the critics would have voters believe, the criticism scores points because the average American doesn't have much interest in fighting a seemingly endless war. Yet this country and others have been fighting a war for four decades with limited or no success, and there is no end in sight. No less deadly than uniformed troops trading volleys with one another, the war on drugs has cost this country more than a trillion dollars so far, according to the Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Web site, and that figure increases more than $65 billion each year. (LEAP is an organization of former and current law enforcement officers who have recognized the futility of the drug war.) And the government's attempt to curtail human nature is costing more than money. Every year, innocent people are killed, wounded or traumatized because of the war on drugs.” International Overtures Jerry Paradis is getting “Kia ora”* from folks these days, as he treks across New Zealand for LEAP’s return visit to this “other” down-under country. He’s doing the “Tiki tour” and we’ll have him knackered by the end of his tour on September 10th. Blair Anderson is the Kiwi coordinating the trip, and he has Jerry speaking at civic clubs, at conferences, meeting legislators and other VIPs, speaking with the media and basically, being what Mark Twain once said was the definition of an expert: “The guy from out of town”. In this case, Jerry is DEFINITELY from out of town: 7057 miles, if the crow could fly it. See our website events page for all of the details. * “Kia ora” is Maori for “be well” and is a typical greeting across NZ. Jack Cole travels immediately after Labor Day…he is an invited speaker to the 26th Annual Symposium on Economic Crime being held at Jesus College at Cambridge, England. Numerous media interviews are being plugged in for this attendance, as well as several private meetings with local dignitaries. 2009 could be a big travel year, as plans are starting to develop for speaking opportunities in Bangkok Thailand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Puerto Rico, Haiti, and various points in Europe including Vienna.

Drug Truth Network Update: 4:20 Drug War NEWS from 90.1 FM in Houston and dozens of radio affiliates in the US, Canada and Australis & on the web at www.kpft.org. We provide the "unvarnished truth about the drug war" to scores of broadcast affiliates in the US, Canada and Australia. *** ETERNAL WAR - will be released this week in WAV, MP3 and video formats of AVI and WMV "DRUGS... the first eternal war" 4:20 Drug War NEWS 09/01/08 to 09/07/08 now online (3:00 ea:) Select online at www.drugtruth.net Sun - Wendy Chapkis, co autor of "Dying to Get High - Marijuana as Medicine" 2/2 Sat - Wendy Chapkis, co autor of "Dying to Get High - Marijuana as Medicine" 1/2 Fri - Graham Boyd of ACLU discusses states rights regarding medical marijuana Thu - Graham Boyd of the American Civil Liberties Union + Valerie Corral of Wo/Mens Alliance for Medical Marijuana Wed - Glenn Greenway with the Poppygate report on "progress in Afghanistan" Tue - Terry Nelson describes possible US Justice Dept discrimination against Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Mon - Valerie Corral of Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana regarding their efforts over the years Next - Century of Lies on Tues, Cutural Baggage on Wed (Now With Transcripts): - Cultural Baggage 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: Rick Van Wickler - Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) - Century of Lies 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: Peter Christ, Founding Member of LEAP Hundreds of our programs are available online at www.drugtruth.net, and www.audioport.org Check out our latest videos via www.youtube.com/fdbecker: Please become part of the solution, visit our website: www.endprohibition.org for links to the best of reform. "Prohibition is evil." - Reverend Dean Becker, Drug Truth Network Producer Dean Becker 713-849-6869 www.drugtruth.net

“Bottom line? I am asking you to leave.” This week began with such promise. I was representing LEAP at the NAPOA (National Asian Police Officers Association) conference in metro DC by staffing the booth for four days. Monday was good, though the DEA agent gave me the evil eye, when I visited his booth. Tuesday started well, chatting with a table full of cops at breakfast, one of whom took my role of convincing his brothers to support LEAP. Thus, I was resting my voice,….. Finishing my third cup of coffee and about to head to the booth, when NAPOA President Reagan Fong asked to speak to me in private. We went into a room and he closed the door. This can’t be good I thought. Two minutes later the obviously conflicted and anguished Fong needed a nudge. I asked him what the bottom line was. Explaining that several of the federal agents staffing their booths objected to the LEAP message and my presence, he was honoring their wish that I leave immediately. We shook hands and 90 minutes later, I headed home. Analysis: What a gift from the feds! Not only did everyone become exposed to the LEAP message before I left, I let several attendees know what had happened. The NCIS (Naval Criminal Intelligence Service) agent I chatted with as I broke down the display was openly annoyed with me being asked to leave. Thus, by now, everyone knows what happened. Given the controversy, I am sure the attendees will take what happened back to their 23 local orgs (organizations) & retell the story. All of this is a plus for LEAP. The press release from LEAP has already hit a couple of good blogs and ezines. From Gandhi: First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. We are at stage three. Only one more to go. Same old, same old: Last week I was on the Senate side of the Hill and met with a good number of staffers. Instead of five minutes of follow-up, they all engaged me for a solid 30 minutes or more. This was a repeat of the week before and the week before that. I write this to remind myself that my mission is moving inexorably in the direction I want it to go. And it feels great!

The Unvarnished Truth About the Drug War From the Drug Truth Network: (To downlad these 29:00 files, click on links below. To simply listen, go to www.drugtruth.net and select the arrow below the shows description.) Cultural Baggage for 08/27/08 Wendy Chapkis, co-author of "Dying To Get High - Marijuana as Medicine" + Terry Nelson of LEAP, Official Govt Truth w/ Winston Francis, Ernesto Aguilar reports from Denver and the DNC MP3 LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=audio/download/2024/FDBCB_082708.mp3 TRANSCRIPT: (To be posted by Friday) Century of Lies for 08/26/08 Graham Boyd of the American Civil Liberties Union + Valerie Corral of Wo/Mens Alliance for Medical Marijuana MP3 LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=audio/download/2023/COL_082608.mp3 TRANSCRIPT: (Posted on Fri) PLEASE NOTE: We now have transcripts, potcasts, searchability, CMS, XML, sorts by guest name and by organization. Next - Century of Lies on Tues, Cutural Baggage on Wed, listen online at www.kpft.org: - Cultural Baggage 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: TBD - Century of Lies 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: TBD Hundreds of our programs are available online at www.drugtruth.net, www.audioport.org and at www.radio4all.net. We provide the "unvarnished truth about the drug war" to scores of broadcast affiliates in the US, Canada and Now Australia!!! Programs produced at Pacifica Radio Station KPFT in Houston. www.kpft.org Check out our latest videos via www.youtube.com/fdbecker: More than 55 Drug Policy Videos online) Please become part of the solution, visit our website: www.endprohibition.org for links to the best of reform. "Prohibition is evil." - Reverend Dean Becker, Drug Truth Network Producer Dean Becker 713-849-6869 www.drugtruth.net

Florida: 'Bureaucratic Shuffle' Disappointing Gov. Charlie Crist this week ordered his Office of Executive Clemency to make greater progress on granting citizens their civil rights, as the media and advocates have cited little progress on his 2007 policy change granting nonviolent offenders the right to vote, the Miami Herald reported. The article stated that "the governor's actions are too little, too late" for those hoping to vote in the upcoming election. "This was a lost opportunity," said Muslima Lewis, senior attorney for the ACLU's Racial Justice and Voting Rights Projects. "Had he issued today's executive order when we asked him to do so more than eight months ago, thousands more Floridians would have benefited. Waiting until August 27, when there are just over five weeks to register to vote for the November general election greatly diminishes the impact of the governor's action." An Orlando Sentinel editorial challenges Gov. Crist to "finish what you started," as thousands of citizens with felony offenses have yet to be notified on their voting status, despite his June announcement that more than 110,000 individuals' rights had been restored. "That was a good thing," the editorial states about the policy change. "But the process remains archaic because Florida is one of a few states that won't automatically restore civil rights to ex-felons." The Parole Board has lost several employees responsible for processing and contacting applicants causing a major lag and backup in notifying thousands of potential voters. "If you're going to pat yourself on the back for restoring civil rights, Mr. Crist, you may as well free up a few hands to finish what you started," the editorial concluded. According to an investigative report by the Orlando Sentinel, 9,000 of the 112,000 citizens who are newly eligible to vote had registered by the end of July. Virginia: Officials Working to Restore Rights of Hundreds by September Carla Whitehead recently got word from Gov. Tim Kaine that her application had been approved and her voting rights had been restored. "Basically, I view it as part of the restoration of my life . . . the opportunity for me to make a positive impact so others can see it from me," Whitehead was quoted as saying in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. She is among 158 citizens with nonviolent felony convictions who have had their voting rights restored by the governor since mid-April, according to the Commonwealth. Officials gave individuals seeking restoration until Aug. 1 to submit an application for eligibility consideration. Reportedly, 918 were received and 733 of these were found to be qualified. The remaining applications were disqualified due to additional convictions or incomplete information. Officials hope to process applications by Sept. 15. "It's not just about going in and getting your rights restored," said Hasan Zarif, a formerly incarcerated advocate whose rights were restored last year. "We're giving them a recipe for what they need to be doing so when the governor restores their rights, he's restoring the rights of a productive citizen." Kentucky: Advocates Mobilize for 11 Weeks of Registration, Education This week, 14 Kentuckians for the Commonwealth Electoral Organizers began training to help members identify, register, educate, and mobilize 15,000 voters between now and Election Day. Members include advocate Tayna Fogle, former University of Kentucky basketball player and graduate whose rights were restored after a lengthy process of writing an essay and acquiring three letters of recommendations in 2006 - a process that has now been eliminated. Alabama: No Advocate in Attorney General Responding to the various opinion editorials and news articles that have followed the ACLU felony disenfranchisement suit, Alabama Attorney General Troy King wrote an editorial "defending this litigation." "Personally, I have advocated, and continue to advocate, for a change in the Alabama Constitution. We have it within our power as citizens to amend the constitution to prevent all felons from voting, not just those whose crimes involve moral turpitude," he stated. "The United States Supreme Court has said that is lawful and I say it is good policy: Those who violate the laws should not have any role in electing the officials who make and enforce the law. Until the Alabama Constitution is amended, however, I will continue to advise registrars to follow the law and to defend it against the baseless attacks of the ACLU." National: BET Documentary on Disenfranchisement Airs Friday, Sunday In "Locked Out: Ex-Cons and the Vote," BET News correspondent Samson Styles investigates how disenfranchisement laws affect African-American turnout at the polls. As one of the 5.3 million people in America who has lost the right to vote due to a criminal conviction, Styles sets out on a journey to regain his own voting rights, explore the state-to-state differences of disfranchisement laws. Locked Out: Ex-Cons and the Vote airs Friday at 11:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Pennsylvania: "Felons Can Vote" Sign at Campaign Headquarters Causes Minor Stir A sign alerting all citizens, including those with felony offenses, to register to vote was removed from the Barack Obama campaign headquarters in Pottstown last week by staff, the Pottstown Mercury News reported. "They just realized maybe it was sending the wrong message and took it down themselves," said Sean Smith, a spokesman from the Philadelphia campaign office. Michael Slater, spokesman for Project Vote, which advocates for full participation in the election process, said the sign should have remained and the effort should be "applauded, not repudiated or criticized." - - - - - - Help The Sentencing Project continue to bring you news and updates on disenfranchisement! Make a contribution today. Contact Information -- e-mail: [email protected], web: http://www.sentencingproject.org

Drug Truth Network Update: 4:20 Drug War NEWS from 90.1 FM in Houston and dozens of radio affiliates in the US, Canada and Australis & on the web at www.kpft.org. We provide the "unvarnished truth about the drug war" to scores of broadcast affiliates in the US, Canada and Australia. 4:20 Drug War NEWS 08/25/08 to 08/31/08 now online (3:00 ea:) Select online at www.drugtruth.net Sun - Richard Lake of MAPINC NEWS reports on medical marijuana progress in Michigan Sat - Denver Post reporter Tom McGee regarding Denvers mayors decision to not arrest pot smokers during the convention Fri - Chris Hermes of Americans for Safe Access regarding legislature to protect employees who smoke medical marijuana Thu - Mason Tvert regarding Denver's decision to not arrest pot smokers during the convention Wed - Winston Francis provides the Official Government Truth Tue - Terry Nelson of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition reports for the Drug Truth Network Mon - Kevin Zeese, Pres of Common Sense for Drug Policy analyzes Obamas pick of Biden Next - Century of Lies on Tues, Cutural Baggage on Wed (Now With Transcripts): - Cultural Baggage 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: Wendy Chapkis, co-author Dying to Get High - Century of Lies 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: TBD Hundreds of our programs are available online at www.drugtruth.net, www.audioport.org and at www.radio4all.net. Check out our latest videos via www.youtube.com/fdbecker: Please become part of the solution, visit our website: www.endprohibition.org for links to the best of reform. "Prohibition is evil." - Reverend Dean Becker, Drug Truth Network Producer Dean Becker 713-849-6869 www.drugtruth.net

Alabama: Moral Turpitude 'Vastly Inferior' The Press-Register featured an opinion editorial by former assistant attorney general David Bourne which blasted the ACLU Alabama's recent lawsuit advocating that citizens with felony convictions be allowed to vote. Bourne writes "The ACLU's lawsuit is nothing but a first step toward setting up polling places in prisons and jails. Our state cannot allow that to happen." He further argued that election officials would be faced with major inconveniences in deciding in which districts prisoners lived and having to spend "entire, 12-hour voting days within jailhouse walls." Calling Alabama's disenfranchisement laws "dysfunctional" and "vastly inferior," a commentary by Sam Brooke and Kimble Forrister featured in the Huntsville Times emphasizes the complex system that has confused many citizens with felony convictions seeking their right to vote. "How could such widespread mistakes occur? The short answer is that confusion over Alabama voting laws has long vexed citizens and state officials alike," the authors state. "We have a shameful history of voter disfranchisement, and conflicting statements from the attorney general and the Legislature haven't helped." The Legislature has identified disfranchising felonies, which include murder, rape, and forgery - named by the Constitution as crimes of moral turpitude. "Now, termination of voting rights occurs only for felonies involving 'moral turpitude,' an antiquated term that is not defined in the constitution ... It is absurd to require citizens who have never been deemed by the Legislature to be disfranchised in the first place to go through this process to exercise a right they never legally lost," the commentary continues. State law allows citizens with felony offenses and those currently serving terms for lesser felonies such as felony DUI, attempted burglary, battery, aiding and abetting escape and some drug possession offenses to vote. More than 5,500 people have had their voting rights restored under the new process, and 220 had requests pending at the end of July, the Montgomery Advertiser reported. Another 327 received pardons between the beginning of the year and the end of July. As a result, activist and head of The Ordinary People's Society, the Rev. Kenneth Glasgow, continues to educate people in jail and citizens with felony convictions on Alabama's voting rights laws, the Dothan Eagle reported. For additional coverage, see the Final Call . California: County Jail Inmates Educated About their Right to Vote in Upcoming Election All of Us or None, a national organizing campaign, educated people in county jail in Redwood City on their right to vote. Dwight Dominique, who was released from jail six months ago, is helping to let inmates know that they can vote in the upcoming election, the San Mateo Daily News reported. Dominique said he didn't realize he was surrendering his vote when he pled guilty to felony drug charges. "Had I known, it probably would have made a different effect on the plea bargain I took," said Dominique, who was hoping to participate in this year's presidential election. Indiana: Advocacy Organization to Recruit 500 Volunteers to Register Voters The Grassroots Effort Committee for Change hopes to unveil voting power by helping to register individuals with felony offenses. They are recruiting 500 volunteers to educate and register the population, Fort Wayne's Frost Illustrated reported. Florida: Committee Supports Restoration While Commission Continues to Experience Backlog The Florida Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights last week released its report on the restoration of voting rights for citizens with felony convictions, "Ex-Felon Voting Rights in Florida: Revised Rules of Executive Clemency that Automatically Restore Civil Rights to Level-1 Offenders Is the Right Policy." In the report, the Committee unanimously supports a policy change and recommends that succeeding Governors and cabinet officials continue to endorse and retain this policy, Market Watch reported. The organization is a bi-partisan advisory panel to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. The full report is available on the Commission's Web site. The issue of disenfranchisement was featured in a Florida Courier article that reported on the community's disappointment in the lack of diversity that exists on the Florida Parole Commission. Although the Commission has restored voting rights to about 115,000 people with non-violent offenses, the Commission still has thousands more applications to review. The article stated that the Commission processes about 7,000 cases a month; the prison system stated that about 3,000 individuals are released every month, leaving a minimum two-year waiting period for individuals currently on the list. Illinois: 'Myth' Misinforms Too Many A Journal Gazette Times Courier letter to the editor stated that the "myth" that formerly incarcerated persons cannot vote is misinforming many. Written by a citizen with a felony conviction who hopes to educate and register individuals like himself, Robert D. Donnell stated that county officials, too, don't know the state's laws, contributing to the misinformation. - - - - - - Help The Sentencing Project continue to bring you news and updates on disenfranchisement! Make a contribution today. Contact Information: e-mail -- [email protected], web: http://www.sentencingproject.org

The Unvarnished Truth About the Drug War From the Drug Truth Network: (To downlad these 29:00 files, click on links below. To simply listen, go to www.drugtruth.net and select the arrow below the shows description.) Cultural Baggage for 08/20/08 Peter Moskos, professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, speaker for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, author of Cop in the Hood & recent US NEWS & World Report article: "Drugs are too dangerous not to regulate - We should legalize them" + Poppygate Report with Glenn Greenway, Terry Nelson with LEAP Report MP3 LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=audio/download/2015/FDBCB_082008.mp3 TRANSCRIPT: (To be posted by Friday) Century of Lies for 08/19/08 Richard P. Burton, Director of Project Reach & former chair of NAACP Prisoner Rights committee + Doug McVay of Drug War Fact & Misha Glenny discusses drug war on Charlie Rose/PBS MP3 LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=audio/download/2014/COL_081908.mp3 TRANSCRIPT: (Posted on Fri) PLEASE NOTE: We now have transcripts, potcasts, searchability, CMS, XML, sorts by guest name and by organization. Next - Century of Lies on Tues, Cutural Baggage on Wed, listen online at www.kpft.org: - Cultural Baggage 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: Wendy Chapkis, co-author "Dying to Get High" - Century of Lies 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: TBD Hundreds of our programs are available online at www.drugtruth.net, www.audioport.org and at www.radio4all.net. We provide the "unvarnished truth about the drug war" to scores of broadcast affiliates in the US, Canada and Now Australia!!! Programs produced at Pacifica Radio Station KPFT in Houston. www.kpft.org Check out our latest videos via www.youtube.com/fdbecker: More than 55 Drug Policy Videos online) Please become part of the solution, visit our website: www.endprohibition.org for links to the best of reform. "Prohibition is evil." - Reverend Dean Becker, Drug Truth Network Producer Dean Becker 713-849-6869 www.drugtruth.net

Drug Truth Network Update: 4:20 Drug War NEWS from 90.1 FM in Houston and dozens of radio affiliates in the US, Canada and Australis & on the web at www.kpft.org. We provide the "unvarnished truth about the drug war" to scores of broadcast affiliates in the US, Canada and Australia. 4:20 Drug War NEWS 08/18/08 to 08/24/08 now online (3:00 ea:) Select online at www.drugtruth.net Sun - Josheph Califano dissembles for a living 2/2 Sat - Joseph Califano, Chairman and CEO, National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (distorts reality) 1/2 Fri - Poppygate Report with Glenn Greenway Thu - Misha Glenny, author of McMafia, courtesy of PBS Wed - Drug War Facts with Doug McVay Tue - Terry Nelson reports for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Mon - Virginia McDavid, democrat for Texas house, decries drug war Next - Century of Lies on Tues, Cutural Baggage on Wed (Now With Transcripts): - Cultural Baggage 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: Peter Moskos of LEAP - Century of Lies 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: Richard Burton of R.E.A.C.H. Hundreds of our programs are available online at www.drugtruth.net, www.audioport.org and at www.radio4all.net. Check out our latest videos via www.youtube.com/fdbecker: Please become part of the solution, visit our website: www.endprohibition.org for links to the best of reform. "Prohibition is evil." - Reverend Dean Becker, Drug Truth Network Producer Dean Becker 713-849-6869 www.drugtruth.net

The International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) is a global network of NGOs and professional networks that specialise in issues related to illegal drug production and use. The Consortium aims to promote objective and open debate on the effectiveness, direction and content of drug policies at national and international level, and supports evidence-based policies that are effective in reducing drug-related harm. It disseminates the reports of its member organisations about particular drug-related matters, and offers expert consultancy services to policymakers and officials around the world. JOB OPPORTUNITY - IDPC COORDINATOR REQUIRED GLOBAL DRUG POLICY ANALYSIS AND ADVOCACY The International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) (www.idpc.info) is a global network of NGOs and professional networks that specialise in issues related to illegal drug use. It aims to promote objective and open debate on the effectiveness, direction and content of drug policies at national and international level, and supports evidence-based policies that are effective in reducing drug-related harm. In the two years of its existence, the IDPC has established itself as a credible and respected source of policy analysis and advice for many policy makers in national governments and international agencies. We are now looking to build on this foundation to broaden our analytical and advocacy activities. Release (http://www.release.org.uk/) manages the work of the IDPC and is looking to appoint a committed and highly professional individual to coordinate its activities. The successful candidate will combine a sound administrative and organisational sense, with good advocacy skills, and an ability to operate at a high level of international affairs. This position is London based, however, exceptional candidates based elsewhere will be considered. The salary range is £30-40k. If you are interested in applying for this post, please email Geni Horwood at [email protected] for: 1. Information letter 2. Person Specification 3. Job Description 4. IDPC work plan and membership list Completed applications should be submitted by 5th September 2008. Interviews will be held in London on 25th and 26th September. "UNGASS NEWS" UNGASS NEWS - AUGUST 2008. http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/IDPC_UngassNews_August08_EN.pdf IDPC has produced an advocacy guide http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/IDPC_AdvocacyGuide_June08_EN.pdf to describe the UNGASS 10-year review and the key issues within it. As a way of keeping our network informed, we are producing regular "UNGASS News" updates as the process unfolds. This second edition reports on the outcome of the first three intergovernmental working groups, and the "Beyond 2008" Global NGO Forum. INDONESIAN JANGKAR REPORT This is the report of Jangkar (the National Action Network for Drug Harm Reduction in Indonesia) and the Open Society Institute. The report is one of the first attempts to assess and depict violation of drug users’ human rights in Indonesia. Since the document is the pdf version of a printed bilingual publication in Indonesian and English, the English version should be read from back to front. http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/Jangkar_2008_IDUandHumanRightsinIndonesia_IND_EN.pdf TRANS NATIONAL INSTITUTE PUBLICATIONS 10 YEARS OF TNI DRUGS AND DEMOCRACY PROGRAMME 1998 - 2008 TNI has been involved in international drugs policy work since the 1998 UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs (UNGASS). This report summarises the lessons of 10 years of work in this field, emphasising drug controls that respect human rights: the rights of farmers caught in the illicit economy to a life in dignity; decriminalisation of drug use; and the promotion of harm reduction approaches where they are proven to save lives. English: http://www.tni.org/reports/drugs/10years.pdf Spanish: http://www.tni.org/reports/drugs/10anos.pdf REWRITING HISTORY: A RESPONSE TO THE 2008 WORLD DRUG REPORT In the new 2008 World Drug Report the UNODC is trying to hide failures behind a bad history lesson. Instead of a clear acknowledgement that the 10-year UNGASS targets have not been met, the WDR decided to go back 100 years into history claiming success in comparison with Chinese opium production and use in the early 20th century. English: http://www.ungassondrugs.org/images/stories/brief26.pdf Spanish: http://www.ungassondrugs.org/images/stories/brief26s.pdf PRIORITIES OF THE FRENCH PRESIDENCY ON DRUGS AND DRUG ADDICTION The priorities of the French Presidency of the EU have been published and the fight against drugs and drug addiction has been expressly included as a constant objective essential to the protection of citizens. The French presidency will facilitate the negotiation of the new EU action plan against drugs for 2009 - 2012 and prepare EU positions and strategy for the CND. There are hopes to coordinate national positions so that Europe can speak with one voice on the international stage and co-operate more effectively with the third world. The profound objective is to be more effective, that is to obtain a real and measurable impact on the drugs situation in member states and to communicate strategies better so that citizens know and understand them. A busy calendar of events has been prepared by the French Presidency to this end. http://www.drogues.gouv.fr/IMG/doc/PFUE_les_priorites_drogues.doc http://www.drogues.gouv.fr/IMG/doc/PFUECalendrier.doc An unofficial translation of the above documents has been prepared by IDPC: http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/PFUE_July08_EN.pdf BEYOND 2008 In partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and led by the Vienna Non Governmental Organisations Committee on Narcotic Drugs 300 NGO delegates, from all regions of the world, met to debate and construct a consensus on policy recommendations and on mechanisms for NGOs and the government to work together. This consensus, in the form of a Declaration and Resolutions, will be tabled at the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the UNODC as they prepare for the 1998 - 2008 UNGASS review. The Declaration and Resolutions can be found through this link: http://www.vngoc.org/images/uploads/file/BEYOND%202008%20DECLARATION%20AND%20RESOLUTIONS%20FINAL(1).pdf RELEASE CONFERENCE "Drugs, Race and Discrimination" is the theme of the upcoming 2008 Release Conference to be held in London on 18th September 2008. This unique event will focus on discrimination faced by drug users around the world. By highlighting the issues confronting people from an already marginalised background whose drug use leaves them open to further prejudice, this conference will tackle some of the most complex and interesting issues in drug policy today. International speakers presenting original material will include: Deborah Small (Break the Chains); Damon Barret (IHRA); Chris Huhne MP and King Downing (ACLU). Tickets are available on a first come first service basis by following the booking link on the conference programme available here: http://releaseorgu.eweb101.discountasp.net/latest_conference.html PETITION TO FREE IRANIAN HARM REDUCTION DOCTORS Paola Barahona, MPH, a Global Health Policy Associate with Physicians for Human Rights, Washington, is reaching out to friends, family, and colleagues and asking them to consider signing the attached petition to the Government of Iran on behalf of Drs. Kamiar Alaei and Arash Alaei, physician brothers who have been working on HIV and drug use in Iran for many years. They have been detained without any charges by Iranian security forces since late June. There is concern that their detainment may be related to their harm reduction work and leadership. The petition calls on the government of Iran to either charge or immediately release them. Please consider signing the petition online at http://actnow-phr.org/campaign/iran_free_the_docs and let Paula know if you would like her to keep you informed of progress in the case by emailing: [email protected] Please feel free to pass this alert on to any contacts who may be interested in drug policy issues. If you have received this alert in error, or do not wish to continue receiving our alerts, you can unsubscribe yourself by emailing to [email protected]