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LEAP on the Hill: Stories from Week of June 27, 2008

This town ain’t big enough for the two of us: After my 6 presentations to staffers on Monday, I entered the Metro subway to start the journey home. Tired and satisfied I was. On the platform was a young man in large cowboy hat. Experience told me he was a cowboy. Breaking out of my shyness, I walked boldly up to him and said, “This town ain’t big enough for two cowboy hats as big as ours. One of us has to leave.” In a soft Oklahoma drawl he immediately volunteered to go home. He and his dad have been in DC since May, lobbying for the National Cattlemen’s & Beef Association. DC was driving him crazy. We enjoyed 15 minutes talking about horses, ranch work and life in Texas and Oklahoma. It reminded me of my previous life & how much I miss it. It was bitter sweet. Spring Cleaning: I am now nearly done with my second round of meetings with aides in the House. One aide a year ago told me that he knew in his gut that use of drugs would skyrocket in a legal market. He stated he had no need to hear from experts on the issue. He has since left & I meet with his replacement this week. I have detected noticeable changes in the staffers the past 2 years. No doubt, the muffinhead’s replacement will be more likely to listen to science than their gut. Congressman, it is a pleasure to meet you: Earlier in the week, LEAP was contacted by a Congressional office. The Congressman wanted to meet with our representative. On Wednesday, the Congressman, his Chief of Staff and I sat down for a solid hour discussing federal prohibition and strategies forward. I am not at liberty to say more. This was the first time I have had a long discussion with a MOC. Medium step.

The Sentencing Project: Disenfranchisement News/Updates 6/27/08

Virginia: Governor Receptive to Disenfranchisement Reform for those Charged with Non-violent Offenses The Washington Post editorialized in support of Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine's effort to re- enfranchise citizens who have completed their felony sentences. "We have no reason to believe Mr. Kaine is acting on political motives, but even if he were, his actions affirm a truth that all but a few states have accepted: Felons who pay their debt to society should not be denied the right to vote," the editorial states. Virginia is overly restrictive in its disenfranchisement policies and should not permanently exclude individuals with felony records from the voting process, the Post contends. Appearing on WTOP's "Ask the Governor" program earlier this week broadcast in the Washington, D.C. area, Gov. Kaine expressed his willingness to support changes in the Commonwealth's laws - but only to those convicted of non-violent offenses. "When somebody wants to participate, I think we ought to have procedures that enable them to once they've shown that [they] can do fine in civil society," he said. "It would have to be a constitutional amendment that would give the legislature the power to set up that kind of format and I think it should be in most instances, more automatic." In response to a Daily Press column , Janice Puffenberger commented on the issue of offering formerly incarcerated individuals a second chance in society. "The fact that we refuse to let felons return to full membership in society after paying their dues, by refusing them the right to vote, leads to recidivism," she writes. We don't give a break to those who make mistakes, so technically their problem is really our problem." Florida: To the Governor, Congrats … and Continue On "Gov. Charlie Crist is to be congratulated" for his part in helping to restore the rights of 115,000 citizens with felony offenses, a St. Petersburg Times editorial states. As more await voting rights eligibility notices, Crist has the option of streamlining the entire civil rights restoration process, which would include allowing those with felony offenses to apply for professional licenses. According to the Times, if Crist moves in this direction, the state could return to the Executive Clemency rules of 1975 under Gov. Reuben Askew, when restoration of rights was automatic after completion of parole or probation. The move could further eliminate the current backlog that the Parole Commission is experiencing as it continues to go through a backlog of 60,000 restoration cases. An additional 4,000 applications are submitted each month for review by the Commission. Massachusetts: Voting Not a "Privilege for the Virtuous" "Voting is a fundamental right, not a privilege for the virtuous," contends a Boston Globe editorial. Commenting on the Brennan Center for Justice's recent study on the various laws and impacts of disenfranchisement, the editorial further states that the fact that voting rights vary state by state is "bizarre." As recently as eight years ago, Massachusetts allowed those incarcerated to vote. Now, however, voting rights are restored upon release from prison. - - - - - - 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

2008 Global Conference On Methamphetamine Newsletter Issue No1

 


1st global conference on methamphetamine

conference newsletter
issue no. 1

Prague. Czech Republic.
15th - 16th Sept. 2008

 

 

 

2Prague New City Hall
www.globalmethconference.com

The Czech Republic, City of Prague, the Centre for Addictology at Charles University, Network Environmental Systems, Podane Ruce, Cranstoun Drug Services, the Harm Reduction Coalition and The Thorne Group, are honored to cosponsor the 1st Global Conference on Methamphetamine: Science, Strategy and Response. The event is scheduled to take place this September 15 - 16, 2008 at Prague's new City Hall.

  

   The first event of its kind, experts from the fields of science, public health, criminal justice, government, and civil society, will come together in the historic city of Prague to discuss a wide range of topics centering around methamphetamine. While local and national communities are under siege by a perceived methamphetamine epidemic rush to pursue solutions, many facets of the problem remain to be discovered, examined, debated, illuminated and verified.
   It is in this spirit of discovery, discussion, and cooperation that we are convening this summit. As the first event to gather global experts from varied fields, with diverse and even sometimes divergent perspectives, the conference is assured to be an unparalleled event.
   The First Global Conference On Methamphetamine will take place in Prague's City Hall, with speakers and delegates attending from more than 20 nations. Delegates will have access to over fifty panel, breakout, and plenary sessions and the unique opportunity to interact with local, national, and international organizations, providers, scientists, and professionals. Visit the conference website to get more information and register.



 

Opium in essence is about poverty, where as Yaa Baa is about greed.  ~ Jean-Luc Lemahiey (UNDOC)

 


Major & Concurrent Sessions

GMC1
Abuse and Dependence and the Onset of Schizophrenia - Super Labs and Cartels - Spreading Like Wildfire: 'Tik' Use in the Western Cape of South Africa - Social Marketing - Trade Awareness of Illicit Sourceing of Chemicals Required for Production - Law Enforcement: Through the Barriers - Use Among Opiate Abusers in Iran - Personal Values and Meaning in Use Among HIV Positive MSM - Voter Approved Treatment Through the Criminal Justice System - Methamphetamine Use in China - Biopyschosocial Aspects of Use Meth Lab - Contamination Assessment - The Future of Global Drug Policy - Novel Interventions for Reducing Risk - Meth Lab Eradication Through Effective Control of Pseudo/ephedrine - Use and Property Offending and Drug Dealing in New Zealand - High Risk Behavior and Avoidance Based Coping Among HIV+ MSM Sexuality and Mental Health Concerns - The Matrix Model for the Treatment of Dependence - Use Among Black MSM - Marketing Education to the Club World - Quite a Lot of Smoke But Very Limited Fire - The Use of Methamphetamine in the European Union - History of Methamphetamine in the US - Hypogonadism and Use Among HIV Positive Men - Therapeutic Communities in Czech Republic - Use In Central & Eastern Europe: How Recent Social History Shaped Current Drug Consumption Patterns - Youth and Ya Ba Use in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand - Use Among Youth in Inner City Winnipeg - Methamphetamine,Meth Labs, and Drug Endangered Children - Use Among Queer Street Involved Youth In Vancouver - Use During Pregnancy: Where Did the Current Surge in Treatment Admissions Come From? - Working with Users in an Urban Setting - Unveiling the Needs of Women Who Use In Indonesia - Providing Integrative Services to Users: The Ukrainian Experience - Use Among Patients of Buprenorphine Maintenance Programs - Injection and HIV Risk in Ukraine - Amphetamines in "Free" Serbia - Pharmacological Treatment of Meth Addiction -  Exploring the Efficacy of Matrix in Tehran - The Czech Republic: EU Pervitin Deviance or Laboratory of EU Drug Future? - Safety First: Prevention Education - Use and Networks of Drug Injectors in St. Petersburg - Drug Choice and HIV Risk Among IDUs in St. Petersburg - Brief Motivational Interventions - Exploring Intimacy, Sexuality, and Identity -  "Aquí Empieza la Patria" ("Here the Homeland Begins") - Patterns of Use - Relationship Between Use, Other Drugs, and Sexual Effects - Dependence and HIV Risk -  Behavior Hepatitis A, B, and C Virus Infection  Among Users in Treatment - Use Among Treatment Seeking Youth: An Emerging Problem? - Russian Narcologoical Treatment Crisis - Meth Free Alliance's Neighborhood Intervention Project - Social Cognition, Executive Function & Use - Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About - Ibogaine -  Regional Updates- The Relationship Between Use & Violence - Consumption & Expenditure: A Cultural Analysis - Dramatic Increase in Treatment Admissions in Cape Town, South Africa - Methamphetamine, Justice and Public Health - Crime and Punishiment

(More to be announced)

 

 

A knowedge of the formulas and chemicals used to produce methamphetamine is essential to the effort to minimize harm.

 

   

Featured Speakers

                                        GCM 2                                  
   Keynote Speaker: Louisa Degenhardt, PhD
   National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of  
   NSW, Sydney
   "The Global Methamphetamine Picture"

   Special Guest Speaker: Ivan Langer
   Minister of The Interior, Czech Republic
   "Welcome"
                           
   Speical Sessions: Jeremy Douglas
   Manager, Global SMART Program
   Matthew Nice, Research Expert
   United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Vienna
   "The Global ATS Situation Assessment 2008"


This Week's Highlighted Speakers

Richard Rawson, PhD
UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Los Angeles
"On the Treatment of Methamphetamine"

Prof. Lin Lu, MD, PhD
Director, National Institute of Drugs and Development, Beijing
"Methamphetamine Abuse in China"

Apinun Aramrattana, MD, PhD
Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai
"The New Methamphetamine Epidemic in Thailand"

Danica Klempova, MA
Drug Situation Analyst, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon
"Quite a Lot of Smoke But Very Limited Fire - The Use of Methamphetamine in the E.U."

Kat Coric
Artist, President, Arts & Ideas, Montreal
"Crystal  - See Through it - Marketing Crystal Meth Education to the Club World"

Stephanie Lovett   
Compliance Director, Chemical Compliance International, Birmingham
"Trade Awareness of Illicit Sourcing of Chemicals Required for Methamphetamine Production"

Marsha Rosenbaum, PhD
Director Emerita, Safety First Program, Drug Policy Alliance, San Francisco
"Safety First: Prevention Education For Methamphetamine and Other Drugs"

Michael Siever, PhD
Director, The Stonewall Project, San Francisco
"The Evolution of Party and Play: Counseling Gay Men in San Francisco Who Do Methamphetamine"

Michael D. Siever, PhD., is a licensed psychologist whose specialty is addictive behaviors. He is the founder and Director of the Stonewall Project, which provides services to gay and bisexual men who use methamphetamine.

The Stonewall Project has two components: 1) a harm reduction treatment program providing integrated substance use, mental health, and HIV counseling and education; and 2) a harm reduction outreach and education program best known by its web site, www.tweaker.org that also includes real time outreach and education in the community. He also was one of the founders of Magnet, a community space and sexual health center for gay men. Both Stonewall and Magnet are programs of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

Dr. Siever was a founding member of and, for three years, the Community Co-Chair of the Substance Abuse Treatment on Demand Planning Council for the City and County of San Francisco and has been active in several other advisory groups and task forces for the San Francisco Department of Public Health. He was a member of the Continuum of Services System Re-engineering Task Force for the California State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs.

Dr. Siever received his B.A. in Social Relations from Harvard University and both his M.Ed. in Special Education and his PhD. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Washington in Seattle. He was a NIAAA-funded Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Addictive Behaviors Research Center at the University of Washington under G. Alan Marlatt, PhD., and Research and Clinical Associate in the AIDS Risk Reduction Project in the School of Social Work at the University of Washington. Dr. Siever also has a long history of community activism dating back several decades.

He was a member of Survive AIDS (formerly known as ACT-UP Golden Gate). In addition to his activism as a gay man living with HIV, he is an advocate for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities and other marginalized and oppressed communities particularly with the San Francisco Department of Public Health. He was a founding member of Queer Nation/Seattle and served on the Steering Committees of Seattle Committee Against Thirteen, the Washington Coalition for Sexual Minority Rights, and the Union of Sexual Minorities. His activism started in the civil rights and anti-war struggles in the 1960's and 1970's.


Wendee Wechsberg, PhD
Director, Substance Abuse Treatment Evaluations and Intervention, RTI International
"Spreading Like Wildfire: 'Tik' Use in the Western Cape of South Africa"

Tomas Zabransky, MD, PhD,
Research and Development Manager, Centre for Addictology at Charles University, Prague
"Meth in the Czech Republic: EU Pervitin Deviance or Laboratory of EU Drug Future?"

 
 

 

An estimated 25 million individuals used amphetamine-type stimulants in 2006. - United Nations World Drug Report

 


Conference Programme
upload

Sunday Evening, September 14, 2008
7:30 -10: 00 p.m. Welcoming Reception
Zlatá Praha Restaurant ~ The Rooftop Terrace
of the InterContinental Hotel Praha
(Main Conference Hotel)


Monday, September 15, 2008
9:00-10:30 a.m. Opening Ceremony
11:00-12:30 p.m. Opening Plenary
12:30-13:30 p.m. Lunch (provided)
13:30-15:00 p.m. Major & Concurrent Sessions
15:30-17:00 p.m. Major & Concurrent Sessions
17:00-18:30 p.m. Major Session

7:30-10:00 p.m. Mayor's Gala Event
Lord Mayor Residence
Hosted by Pavel Bém, Lord Mayor of Prague


Tuesday, September 16, 2008
8:30-10:00 a.m. Major Session
10:30-12:00 p.m. Major & Concurrent Sessions
12:00-13:00 p.m. Lunch (provided)
13:00-14:30 p.m. Major & Concurrent Sessions
15:00-16:30 p.m. Major & Concurrent Sessions
16:45-17:30 p.m. Closing Ceremony

 

 

 

Conference Objectives


  As the use of methamphetamine and other amphetamine-type stimulants proliferates across the globe, there is an emerging consensus among experts that stimulant use is a unique and complex problem that presents a significant challenge to existing philosophies and strategies. The 2008 Global Conference on Methamphetamine will provide an arena for the world's foremost scientists, leaders and professionals working on issues of drug use to come together to discuss a wide variety of topics centering around methamphetamine.
   Established trends show methamphetamine use to be widespread in North American, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand; while India, Pakistan, Eastern Europe, the Russian Federation Sub-Saharan Africa and Western Europe represent emerging markets or areas of perceived risk. According to estimates by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime and the World Health Organization more individuals worldwide now use stimulants than opiates and cocaine combined. Yet the development of appropriate and effective responses to stimulants lags. In most cases, treatment and prevention are inappropriately modeled on opiate and alcohol treatment, ignoring both the physical properties of the drug itself, and the fact that methamphetamine use patterns vary widely, and effective responses must be tailored to the unique needs of regions, cultures, and individual users. A lack of infrastructure, of funding, and of experts trained specifically in methamphetamine response compounds the problem.
   As nations struggle to develop appropriate responses to methamphetamine, it is crucial that the most current scientific research, information, and best practices be available to those seeking to implement solutions. The primary goal of the First Global Conference on Methamphetamine is to provide a context for this important work to take place.

 

For details on registration, hotel accommodations and the wonderful City of Prague, please visit the conference website  or contact the conference organizer directly at [email protected]

Media and program inquires should be directed to Luciano Colonna, EPC chair, at [email protected]

2008 Global Conference On Methamphetamine
The White House
Sevenoaks, TN13 2QP Great Britain
www.globalmethconference.com

Drug Truth Update 06/26/08

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 06/25/08 Nurse Mary Lynn Mathre of Patients Out of Time discusses medical cannabis + Terry Nelson for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, Drug War Facts with Doug McVay & Glenn Greenway with the Poppygate report. MP3 LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=audio/download/1942/FDBCB_062508.mp3 TRANSCRIPT: (To be posted by Friday) Century of Lies for 06/24/08 Richard Watkins a former Texas warden and current member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition + Eugene Fields, reporter with Orange County Register. MP3 Link: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=audio/download/1943/COL_062408.mp3 TRANSCRIPT: (Tramscript on Saturday) 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

LEAP on the Hill: Stories from the week of June 20, 2008

Thundering silence no more: On Thursday Senator Webb (D-VA) held his second hearing on the topic: Mass Incarceration. At What Cost? Senators and Congressmen heard more testimony from experts on the massive impact locking up 2.3 million people has on the country. Though media was scarce, our issue is finally receiving the attention it deserves. After the hearing I spoke to Senator Webb for a minute, providing an answer to a question which the panel was unable to ask (how does expenditure of time arresting 845,000 for cannabis impact the other aspects of public safety/police work?). Thanks to the suggestion of Ethel in Florida & Eric here in DC, the next day I submitted that answer in writing which was made part of the permanent record for the hearing. As I made office visits on Friday, it was simply wonderful to tell the aides that, ‘look to Senator Webb on this issue. He is lighting a candle & speaking out.’ Small steps. Below I am including the text of my statement given to Webb’s committee: Testimony for the Joint Economic Committee, June 19, 2008 Assessing U.S. drug policy and providing a base for future decision Howard J. Wooldridge Bath Township, MI Police Detective Howard J. Wooldridge, (retired) At the hearing of the Joint Economic Committee which Senator Webb chaired on June 19, 2008 two questions asked by the Members were not fully answered. Therefore, I would like the following information be included as part of the record for that hearing. Regarding Senator Webb’s question on how the expenditure of time to arrest some 845,000 persons per year on marijuana charges impacts other areas of law enforcement: During my fifteen (15) years of police service I learned that my profession often searches and does not find anything illegal. Thus, one can not simply extrapolate the number of arrests times X hours of time per arrest. An average of ten (10) vehicle searches must be conducted in order to find one containing marijuana. Conservatively, 7-8 million hours of patrol time are spent enforcing marijuana prohibition laws. This results in less time for effective DUI, reckless driving and other traffic enforcement priorities. Regarding Congressman Hinchey’s question of the percentage of prisoners whose crime touches in someway drug prohibition laws: My experience as a detective and in speaking with colleagues show 70-75% of felony crime touches drug prohibition policy. Whether crimes committed go up or down, drug prohibition continues to be the engine driving the vast majority of felony crime in America.

4:20 Drug War News Update 06/23/08

Drug Truth Network Update: 4:20 Drug War NEWS from 90.1 FM in Houston and dozens of radio affiliates in the US and Canada & on the web at www.kpft.org. We provide the "unvarnished truth about the drug war" to scores of broadcast affiliates in the US and Canada. 4:20 Drug War NEWS 06/23/08 to 06/29/08 now online (3:00 ea:) Select online at www.drugtruth.net Sun - Bruce Mirken of Marijuana Policy Project regarding Hinchey-Rohrbacher bill in US Congress Sat - Bill Piper of the Drug Policy Alliance & Doug McVay with Drug War Facts Fri - "The Real News" reports on Afghanistan's opium war Thu - Paul Armentano of NORML reports on "potent" pot Wed - Glenn Greenways' Poppygate Report & 2 "PSA's" Tue - Terry Nelson Reports for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Mon - Bruce Mirken of Marijuana Policy Project discusses "potent" pot Next - Century of Lies on Tues, Cutural Baggage on Wed (Now With Transcripts): PLEASE, Check Out the Transcript with Dr. Donald Tasking of National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=node/1842#comments - Cultural Baggage 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: Nurse Mary Lynn Mathre - Century of Lies 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: Former Texas Warden Richard Watkins 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 Sentencing Project -- Disenfranchisement: News/Updates 6/20/08

Florida: Finally, "Sub Group" of Potential Voters Getting Attention In Florida there are an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 potential new voters - former felony offenders - that could participate in the upcoming presidential race, the Tamp Bay Tribune reported. NBC affiliate WPTV-5 is calling formerly incarcerated individuals the most sought after "sub group" in the upcoming election and reports that both Republicans and Democrats are vying for their support. Despite the positive news, there continues to be a backlog in rights restoration cases, according to the Parole Commission, the investigative arm of the Clemency Board. Since Governor Charlie Crist and the Clemency Board voted to ease the restoration process for nonviolent offenders last year, about 115,000 individuals have regained the right to vote. About 300,000, however, are still waiting in the wings to be notified of their eligibility. Adding to that, about 4,000 ex-offenders come up for review each month after they are released or their probation is terminated, stated Mark Schlakman, senior program director at the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights at Florida State University in a Tallahassee Democrat opinion editorial. "With another stroke of his pen, Gov.Charlie Crist, with support from at least two Cabinet members, also could enable many ex-offenders to regain their civil rights and register to vote. Only then will the rights-restoration process reflect the fundamental fairness that the governor has been talking about." Gov. Crist spoke highly of the restoration process during a two-day Restoration of Rights Summit sponsored by the state Department of Corrections. It was also learned that the Legislature recently cut 20 percent of the Parole Commission's budget, which resulted in the loss of nine employees who work on civil rights applications, the St. Petersburg Times reported. "Even with the changes to the rules in Florida's civil rights laws, the process for ex-offenders to regain voting rights is cumbersome, particularly in the face of budget cuts and shortage of staff at the Florida Parole Commission," writes Martha Hill in a News-Press op-ed. "Gov. Crist walked the first step, but the journey is still long." Muslima Lewis, director of the voting rights project at the American Civil Liberties Union in Florida, agreed in a New York Times article. "There is a large demand for this," she said. "And it is a lot higher this year with the election." Virginia: Governor, Advocates Play 'Beat the Clock' to Register Former Offenders "This is not a radical idea," states a Roanoke Times editorial, of automatic restoration for formerly incarcerated individuals. "In most states, a felon's right to vote is restored automatically upon completion of his or her sentence. Virginia is unusually and unreasonably restrictive." Applauding Gov. Tim Kaine's efforts to restore voting rights in time to participate in the presidential election this fall, the editorial states that Kaine is "bringing greater fairness to an unduly harsh system." There have been claims that Gov. Kaine's effort to register this new pool of voters by August 1 is coupled with Sen. Barack Obama's campaign to also register tens of thousands of new voters this summer in Virginia; Gov. Kaine said partisanship isn't a factor. Civic and social associations including the ACLU and the NAACP are teaming up to aid thousands of citizens with felony offenses to apply for rights restoration by the deadline. "A lot of felons operate under the miscomprehension that loss of their voting rights is permanent, so what we are doing, is saying, 'No, no, no, there is a way,'" Gwinnett Hagens, executive director of Democracy South was quoted as saying in the Washington Post. "It is going to be a challenge for us if we get absolutely swamped, but we will divert staff to do this." - - - - - - 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 Sentencing Project: Crack the Disparity Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 1

Crack the Disparity Logo

CRACK THE DISPARITY NEWSLETTER

Volume 1, No. 1
 Summer 2008
In This Issue
The Struggle Continues
Legislative Update
Grassroots Agenda
A Theological Basis for Ending the Sentencing Disparity
Save the Date
Media Momentum


Feature Story:
Baseball Legend Willie Mays Aikens Released Under Retroactivity Amendment

By Zerline Jennings

Aikens


Willie Mays Aikens, former first baseman for the Kansas City Royals, made baseball history when he became the first player to have a pair of two-homer games in the 1980 World Series. Years later he made another kind of history when a longstanding addiction to cocaine ended his baseball career and ultimately led to a nearly 21-year sentence for selling crack cocaine to an undercover officer. Finally, in 2008, he again made headlines when a federal judge reduced his lengthy prison term to 14 years as a result of the U.S. Sentencing Commission's recent adjustment to the crack cocaine sentencing guidelines. Aikens was released in June.

"They used my case as an example to show that crack sentencing was cruel and unusual punishment," said Aikens in an interview with WHNS-TV in South Carolina. "I'm glad that after spending 14 years in prison, something good came out of this."

Sentencing reform advocates utilized Aikens' story to illustrate the unjust sentencing and racial disparities between crack and powder cocaine. After being convicted of attempting to purchase cocaine in 1983, his addiction eventually led to his suspension from major league baseball. He returned to Kansas City, after playing ball in Mexico, but continued to battle his addiction, which was quickly ruining his personal life as it had done his baseball career.

Kansas City authorities were aware of Aikens' involvement with drugs. In December 1993, a female undercover officer established a friendship with Aikens and subsequently asked him to obtain crack cocaine for her on several occasions. On at least one occasion, the undercover officer specifically asked him to cook powder cocaine into crack cocaine.

Entrapment and Mandatory Minimums

With this evidence, the U.S. Attorney's office charged Aikens with multiple counts of trafficking crack cocaine. Because of harsher sentencing penalties for using and dealing crack, his sentence for selling 2.2 ounces of crack cocaine was treated as though equivalent to selling 15 pounds of powder cocaine.

Click here to read more.
Crack the Disparity Logo
   
Editor's Note:

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Crack the Disparity Coalition's quarterly e-newsletter. We unveil this publication on an important day, the 22nd anniversary of Len Bias' death - a young man at the apex of a promising basketball career, whose drug overdose fueled the passage of the harsh sentencing law this coalition seeks to change.
This newsletter is designed to maintain the momentum that is propelling reform by keeping advocates updated on news and events related to eliminating the crack cocaine disparity. This newsletter can also be accessed at www.crackthedisparity.com where additional advocacy resources and information can be found.
 
Crack Cocaine Reform - The Struggle Continues
Struggle By Nkechi Taifa, Esq.

In 1994, the U.S. Sentencing Commission issued a call for public comment on laws creating a differential in sentencing between crack and powder cocaine offenses. The federal law, passed after the cocaine-induced death of basketball star Len Bias, requires a mandatory minimum five year sentence for a first time offender's simple possession of five grams of crack cocaine. It takes trafficking in 100 times as much powder cocaine - 500 grams - to trigger the same five year sentence. This has come to be known as the 100:1 quantity disparity between crack and powder cocaine. Click here to read more.
Crack Cocaine Legislative Update
By Kara Gotsch

Since the judiciary subcommittees on crime in the U.S. House and Senate held hearings on crack cocaine sentencing reform in February, legislative momentum has slowed in Congress. Even with a total of seven reform bills pending, no committee has held a vote on the bills and none are currently planned. Now is the time to remind Congress that their constituents demand a fairer sentencing structure that eliminates the quantity disparity between crack and powder cocaine and limits the excessive penalties for low-level drug offenses. Public pressure is essential to garner Congress's support for reform and move legislation along. Click here to read more.
Grassroots Agenda: June, July, August
By Calli Schiller

As Congress prepares to adjourn for the July 4th and August recesses, now is an excellent time for you to plan grassroots activities centered in the legislators' home-districts. While some Members of Congress (MOC) use these recesses to vacation with their families, many legislators are working in their district offices. This presents an excellent opportunity for in-district meetings, town-hall meetings and site visits. Click here to read more.
A Theological Basis for Ending the Sentencing Disparity
FaithBy Bill Mefford

The Faith in Action Criminal Justice Reform Working Group, which I co-lead, is made up of faith organizations from across the religious and political spectrums. Groups came together to help achieve passage of the Second Chance Act -- a bill providing assistance for prisoners' reentry -- and we found a number of other issues on which we share values. Our goal is to bring crucial reforms to the criminal justice system and we have identified the current crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity as grossly unjust and in long overdue need of change.

With 2.3 million people currently incarcerated in the United States, and the numbers only climbing, communities are not safer and the flow of drugs into our communities has not been curbed. Long mandatory minimum sentences deny both judicial discretion as well as necessary treatment for those who suffer from addiction as the root cause of their criminal behavior. Click here to read more.
Save the Date
Media Attention
 

The Crack the Disparity Coalition includes the American Bar Association,
American Civil Liberties Union,
Break the Chains, Drug Policy Alliance,
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People,
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers,
Open Society Policy Center, Restoring Dignity, Inc.,
Students for Sensible Drug Policy,
The Sentencing Project, and
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society.
 

Drug Truth Update 06/18/08

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.) - Both shows this week contain "welcomes" to our latest affiliate 102.3 FM in Nimbin, Australia - :) Cultural Baggage for 06/18/08 Bill Piper of Drug Policy Alliance, Bruce Mirken of Marijuana Policy Project, Paul Armentano of NORML, Randy Credico of William Kuntsler Fund, Terry Nelson of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, Doug McVay with Drug War Facts & Glenn Greenway with the Poppygate Report. MP3 LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=audio/download/1934/FDBCB_061808.mp3 TRANSCRIPT: (To be posted by Friday) Century of Lies for 06/17/08 Sylvester Salcedo, a former naval intelligence officer is running for State Rep as a Democrat in Connecticutt. He's also a spokesman for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. MP3 Link: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=audio/download/1932/COL_061708.mp3 TRANSCRIPT: (Tramscript on Saturday) Chief Clarence Bradford: "We can't possibly hire enough officers to effectively deal with the drug problem in Houston, Harris County...". - Cultural Baggage 050708 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

Drug Truth in Australia! 06/16/08

Reaching beyond N. America, DTN radio show Cultural Baggage begins broadcasting in Australia this week! - Nimbin, New South Wales, Australia, 102.3 FM, "Nim FM" Drug Truth Network Update: 4:20 Drug War NEWS from 90.1 FM in Houston and dozens of radio affiliates in the US and Canada & on the web at www.kpft.org. We provide the "unvarnished truth about the drug war" to scores of broadcast affiliates in the US and Canada. 4:20 Drug War NEWS 06/16/08 to 06/22/08 now online (3:00 ea:) Select online at www.drugtruth.net Mon - Drug War Facts with Doug McVay + "Heroin in adult diaper" Tue - Terry Nelson reports for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Wed - Olbermann on Opium + Drugs & Terror, World Wars Forever Thu - Ray Hill, the Patriarch of KPFT Houston discusses war on gays, war on drugs Fri - Ray Hill 2 Sat - Ray Hill 3 Sun - Ray Hill 4 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: TBD - Century of Lies 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: Sylvester Salcedo running for rep in Connecticutt 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
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