Organizations

Georgia: A Dire Need to Define Crimes of Moral Turpitude The Georgia ACLU has asked the state General Assembly to define the constitution's list of felonies of moral turpitude which ban certain individuals from voting, the Times-Union reported. Under the state constitution, anyone convicted of a felony involving a crime of moral turpitude cannot vote until their sentence has been completed and all court-related fees and fines are satisfied. "The problem is, if the legislature meant all felonies, they could say all felonies," said Nancy Abudu, staff counsel for the ACLU Voting Rights Project. "Given disparities in race and class, the population it affects the most is also the population that is also disparately impacted by criminal justice." In Alabama last year, a post-sentence voting ban was lifted by Judge Robert Vance until the state defined its crimes of moral turpitude. The Alabama Supreme Court said Vance exceeded his authority, however, Alabama's crimes of moral turpitude were defined to include: felony DUI, felony possession of drugs, violation of liquor laws, assault and battery, speeding, trespass to land, attempted burglary, doing business without a license and aiding a prisoner to escape. Virginia: Expedited Process Motivates Churches to Join Restoration Effort Local churches in Virginia are rallying to educate formerly incarcerated citizens about voting rights restoration and working to get as many of them as possible registered to vote by August 1 - in time for the November election. "This is the election that can restore human dignity to thousands of people who have been disenfranchised in any number of ways: economically, educationally, in the justice system or with basic civil rights," said Gaylene Kanoyton, a civic volunteer with the state-wide effort. "That's why we need to make sure everyone who is eligible actually gets out to vote." Virginia and Kentucky are the only two states that permanently disenfranchise all citizens convicted of felony offenses. This year, however, Virginia enacted an expedited restoration application process because the state always gets swamped during presidential-election years, according to the Daily Press. The expedited process, which still requires action by the governor, is not extended to those convicted of violent and drug-distribution offenses. That process will take at least six months - usually longer - because it's more extensive, officials said. Applicants must be residents of Virginia or convicted of a felony in a Virginia, federal or military court. All costs, fines and restitution associated with their cases must be paid and individuals must have completed a three-year waiting period after the end of their sentence or release from probation. They also can't have a drunken-driving conviction in the past five years. "You don't have a say in anything," said Roderick Hart of Richmond who has been off probation since 2002. "You have no say whatsoever. ... But one vote can make a difference." National: Federal Reform Bill Gets Support Before its Introduction The West Virginia Gazette editorial board supports the Democracy Restoration Act of 2008 - a bill soon to be introduced by Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisc) and Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) - which would restore federal voting rights to all citizens released from prison and living in local communities. In its editorial, the Gazette stated, "this election year, with politics dominating the news, would be a good time to reform the way prisoners are treated. It would [be] a big step to stop discriminating against outcasts by letting them rejoin democracy." The editorial further discussed the rippling effects of disenfranchising citizens charged with felony offenses. Erika Wood, Director of the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, was quoted in the editorial as saying "disenfranchising the head of a household can discourage his or her entire family from civic participation." Alabama: Rev. Kenneth Glasgow Honored for Restoration Work The Rev. Kenneth Glasgow was honored by the Alabama Democratic Conference during its annual convention in Montgomery last week. The Rev. Glasgow, Director of The Ordinary People Society, located in Dothan, received the Lyndon Baines Johnson Political Freedom Award for his vote restoration work with formerly incarcerated citizens. Upon receiving the award, the Rev. Glasgow presented more than 10,000 completed voter registration applications that were collected by his T.O.P.S./Prodigal Child Project. - - - - - - 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

[Courtesy of Marijuana Policy Project] 

Dear friends:

I'm pleased to announce that Perry Farrell from Jane's Addiction will be DJ'ing and performing at MPP's third annual party at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles on June 12.

Other confirmed celebrities include comedians Margaret Cho, Bill Maher, and Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling, as well as “L.A. Ink” star Kat Von D, with many more celebrity RSVPs expected in the coming weeks. And reality TV superstar and fashion model Adrianne Curry is hosting the event.

The party is just two weeks away, so if you haven't already purchased your ticket(s) for this year's hottest marijuana policy reform party, please reserve your ticket(s) now!

We'll be auctioning off some exclusive items at the party, including vintage photographs of James Dean, Frank Sinatra, and Jimmy Hendrix, as well as VIP tickets to Craig Ferguson's “Late Late Show.”

I hope you'll join me, Adrianne, and a small gaggle of celebrities and supporters of marijuana policy reform at our party at the Playboy Mansion ...

Buy your tickets today.

All proceeds will benefit MPP's efforts to end marijuana prohibition in the U.S.

See you at the Mansion on June 12 ...

Sincerely,

Rob Kampia
Executive Director
Marijuana Policy Project
Washington, D.C.

P.S. As I've mentioned in previous alerts, a major philanthropist has committed to match the first $3.0 million that MPP can raise from the rest of the planet in 2008. This means that your donation today will be doubled.

[Courtesy of Harm Reduction Coalition] TAKE ACTION: National Call-In to Repeal the Federal Ban on Syringe Exchange In an important triumph for health advocates, Congress recently lifted the ban on the use of local tax dollars for syringe exchange in Washington DC. Now is the time to end the overall federal ban on funding syringe exchange, and we need everyone's help this week. Please join a national call-in to your Representative, asking them to demonstrate their support by signing onto a letter to House leadership. This is the first action in Congress in a decade to lift the ban, and we need to make a strong showing. One third of HIV infections in the United States are related to injection drug use. The 20-year federal funding ban curtails local communities from using their prevention dollars as they see fit to support this effective intervention. What you can do: Go to www.house.gov to find out who represents you. Find out how they voted on allowing Washington DC to lift the ban on using local tax dollars to support their syringe exchange programs. A 'nay' vote is good. It means they support the District using its own funds to conduct needle exchange. Now we need them to authorize the use of federal funding for all states. An 'aye' vote means they need extra education on the issue. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2007-589 Call up your US Representative's DC office (U.S. Congress switchboard at 1-800-828-0498, or 202-224-3121) and ask to speak to their Health staffer. Ask them to sign the bipartisan 'Dear Colleague' letter circulating by Reps Cummings (D-MD) and Castle (R-DE). If they already have, thank them! For a copy to send them go to www.harmreduction.org/article.php?id=766 Suggested message: Local communities should decide how best to fight the spread of HIV. Syringe exchanges are proven to help reduce HIV infection and also provide important links to drug treatment. It's time to lift the federal ban on syringe exchange funding. Will [xx member] sign the Cummings/Castle letter? Other key talking points: INJECTION-RELATED HIV One third of people with HIV in the United States were infected through injection drug use. Every year, another 8,000 people are newly infected with HIV through sharing contaminated syringes. THESE INFECTIONS ARE PREVENTABLE In communities where access to sterile syringes is supported, transmission of HIV in injecting drug users has declined as a proportion of all cases by mode of transmission. Decreases have also been documented among the sex partners and children of injection drug users. SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS ARE HIGHLY COST-EFFECTIVE The lifetime cost of medical care for each new HIV infection is $385,200; the equivalent amount of money spent on syringe exchange programs would prevent at least 30 new HIV infections. SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS INCREASE ACCESS TO DRUG TREATMENT & MEDICAL CARE In addition to the reduced risks for disease, sterile syringe access programs facilitate greater access to drug treatment. These programs also provide a crucial entry point into medical care, detox and rehabilitation, and mental health treatment. NEARLY 200 SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS currently operate in 38 states, Puerto Rico, Washington DC, and Indian Lands. Most operate on a shoestring, surviving on dwindling private donations and severe restrictions of public funding. THE MEDICAL AND SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY SUPPORT SYRINGE EXCHANGE Studies by the Centers for Disease Control and the National Academy of Sciences show that syringe exchange programs are effective. Programs have the support of the medical community, including the American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association and the American Nurses Association SYRINGE EXCHANGES GET DIRTY NEEDLES OFF THE STREETS Research demonstrates that the presence of a syringe exchange program results in fewer used syringes improperly discarded. . In Baltimore, after an SEP was implemented, the number of inappropriately discarded syringes decreased by almost 50%. . In Portland, the number of discarded syringes decreased by almost two-thirds after the NEP opened. . In 1992, Connecticut repealed a law forbidding the sale of syringes without a prescription. As a result, reports show a reduction in needle sharing by 50 percent and a decrease in HIV infections by over 30 percent. In addition, law enforcement officials experienced two-thirds fewer needle stick injuries. Email [email protected] and let us know what you hear back! Hilary McQuie Western Director Harm Reduction Coalition 1440 Broadway, Suite 510 Oakland, CA 94612 Tel: 510-444-6969 Fax: 510-444-6977 www.harmreduction.org [email protected]

Below the Florida Times-Union Senior Columnist Tonya Weathersbee provides a disturbing analysis of an aspect of the failure of the War on Drugs. Please consider writing and sending a Letter to the Editor of the Florida Times Union expressing your reaction to this column. Thanks for your effort and support. It's not what others do it's what YOU do. ********************************************************************** Contact: Florida Times-Union http://www.jacksonville.com/aboutus/letters_to_editor.shtml Pubdate: Mon, 26 May 2008 Source: Florida Times-Union (FL) Copyright: 2008 The Florida Times-Union Author: Tonyaa Weathersbee, The Times-Union SOME ARE DRIVEN TO CRIME BY ECONOMIC DESPERATION Ruth Davis says she isn't on drugs. But she was desperate. She's also a cautionary tale. According to a recent McClatchy News Service story, the Miami grandmother is sitting in a North Carolina jail. She's been there since December. That was when a state trooper nabbed her as she was transporting 33 pounds of marijuana to New York. He stopped Davis for speeding, but then noticed a strong odor as she rolled down her car window. Her answers to the trooper's questions about her travel plans didn't jibe. So he asked if he could search her car. She agreed. But Davis didn't know he was going to call the dogs to help him look. Game over. Drug enforcement officials say that people like Davis, who is 65, are becoming part of a trend; that drug dealers are now recruiting elderly people to carry drugs because there's less of a chance that they will be stopped or profiled. There's also the chance that police will be disarmed by their sweetness and vulnerability. Davis, in fact, said that she had hoped to charm her way out of a speeding ticket. I almost wish that had worked for her. Because it wasn't greed that made Davis agree to become a drug mule. It was pain. It was the pain of not being able to pay the $20,000-plus that she owed doctors for treatment of a blood disease. It was the pain of seeing her daughter's face disfigured from a car crash, and not being able to help her pay the $3,000 needed for corrective plastic surgery. It was the pain that a person feels when hitting rock bottom with no safety net to catch her. It's a pain that has been exploited by drug dealers who recruit the desperate and the defeated. And just as the drug trade has become the dominant economy for many poor, inner-city communities, it's not surprising that as other safety nets begin to fray, more people will grab on to anything to stop their free fall. In Davis' case, that meant grabbing onto the promises of a drug dealer. Me, I'm not all that surprised that some elderly folks would be vulnerable to that kind of coercion. In some neighborhoods in which drug dealers are the closest thing to philanthropists that most people there will ever see, they help some old people pay bills. But while Davis wasn't exactly poor - she said she owns her own home and works as a diet consultant - her medical bills apparently still made it hard for her to make ends meet. And, in case we forget, soaring medical bills can plunge anyone into poverty. Or it can push them to make thoughtless choices. So when I see cases such as hers, I'm reminded of how the drug trade is fueled by different degrees of hopelessness. In the inner cities, you have kids who work as drug sellers and lookouts because few know the lure of legitimate work, because not much of that exists where they live. Then you have some people who sell drugs to supplement low-wage jobs. Unlike Davis, they aren't casualties of an emergency as much as they are casualties of an illicit economy that has usurped the legitimate economy. Then there's the hopelessness that turned Davis into a drug mule. Such hopelessness is the kind that overwhelms people who are being let down by what many have come to view as guarantees in American life; that if you pay your bills, obey the law, drink your milk and say your prayers, the system won't allow misfortunes like medical emergencies to make you destitute. Now I know that not every senior citizen who is faced with hardships is going to sell drugs. Yet, Davis' story still is a revealing one. Among other things, it illustrates, once again, the failure of the war on drugs. We fill our prisons and jails with nonviolent offenders like Davis - a woman who, ironically, became a felon to avoid becoming a deadbeat - as the kingpins go free. And even as people like Davis sit in jail, Americans continue to use drugs at about the same rate as they did when President Nixon declared a war on drugs in 1971. As long as that continues to happen, and as long as jobs continue to hemorrhage and medical costs continue to spiral, people will look for ways to survive. And the drug lords will be waiting. ********************************************************************** Additional suggestions for writing LTEs are at our Media Activism Center: http://www.mapinc.org/resource/#guides, or contact MAP's Media Activism Facilitator for tips on how to write LTEs that are printed. [email protected] ********************************************************************** PLEASE SEND US A COPY OF YOUR LETTER Please post a copy of your letter or report your action to the sent letter list ([email protected]) if you are subscribed, or by E-mailing a copy directly to [email protected] if you are not subscribed. Your letter will then be forwarded to the list so others can learn from your efforts. Subscribing to the Sent LTE list ([email protected]) will help you to review other sent LTEs and perhaps come up with new ideas or approaches as well as keeping others aware of your important writing efforts.

[Courtesy of Marijuana Policy Project]

Dear friends:

Have you ever wanted to get a closer look at how MPP operates?

Want to see some of what we have accomplished over the years and see exactly where your donations go?

Please click on the image below to watch our new five-minute video ...

If you haven't yet donated to MPP, I hope this video will inspire you to become a dues-paying member. If you're already a member, I hope this video makes you feel good about how we use your generous funding.

Sincerely,

Rob Kampia
Executive Director
Marijuana Policy Project
Washington, D.C.

P.S. As I've mentioned in previous alerts, a major philanthropist has committed to match the first $3.0 million that MPP can raise from the rest of the planet in 2008. This means that your donation today will be doubled.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Tuesday May 27, 2008 Contact: Tony Newman, t: 646-335-5384 or Roseanne Scotti, t: 609-610-8243 Groundbreaking Report “Wasting Money, Wasting Lives: Calculating the Hidden Costs of Incarceration in New Jersey” to be Released Report Finds Incarceration Costs Far Exceed Previous Estimates, Increase State Budget Deficit and Waste Taxpayer Money Press Conference Scheduled at Statehouse on Wednesday, May 28, 11:30 AM with Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Assemblyman Joseph Cryan Trenton- A groundbreaking report, “Wasting Money, Wasting Lives: Calculating the Hidden Costs of Incarceration in New Jersey” will be released today at a statehouse press conference featuring legislators, community members and advocates. The report was commissioned by the Drug Policy Alliance and authored by Meredith Kleykamp, Jake Rosenfeld and Roseanne Scotti. What: A press conference to release a report on the hidden costs of incarceration in New Jersey Who: Newark Mayor Cory Booker Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (D, Union) Roseanne Scotti, Esq., Director, Drug Policy Alliance New Jersey David Kerr, President, Integrity House of Newark (additional speakers to be announced) When: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 11:30 A.M. Where: New Jersey State House, Room 209 The economic cost of New Jersey’s explosive prison growth has been astronomical. Twenty years ago, the New Jersey corrections budget was $289 million. Today the budget is $1.33 billion. Corrections budget growth has outstripped all other parts of the state’s budget. From 1979 until 2006, the corrections budget grew by a factor of 13 while the overall state budget grew only by a factor of 6. New Jersey spends more than $46,000 annually to incarcerate each prisoner, and about $331 million dollars a year just on incarcerating all nonviolent drug law violators—more than what is spent by 16 other states for their entire corrections budgets. During the 1980s and 1990s, corrections spending in New Jersey rose at three times the rate of spending on higher education. But looking at the direct costs of incarceration tells only part of the story of the economic burden placed on New Jersey by the current system. In addition to the direct costs of prisons, New Jersey also incurs substantial indirect and hidden costs by incarcerating large numbers of nonviolent drug offenders. To get a complete understanding of the costs of incarceration for New Jersey, costs such as lost wages while incarcerated, lost lifetime wages after release from prison due to reduced employability, and lost taxable income must be calculated. This groundbreaking report analyzes the comprehensive and hidden costs of New Jersey’s overuse of incarceration and offers suggestions for saving taxpayers’ money and reinvesting savings into families and communities. # # #

Routine: Meeting an aide who was also the Legislative Director of the office this week, I asked if he knew of LEAP. “Sure.” He replied. The next 10 minutes I did little in the way of educating. The aide knew all the basic facts, the basic dynamics of the policy and its unintended consequences. At the end he remarked how this issue was not coming up any time soon. “I know.” I replied. ‘When it does come up, LEAP and I will be here.’ I walked away feeling satisfied that he already knew of LEAP. I was left wondering what year the change will begin in earnest. Discouraging Moment: I attended a hearing of the full House Judiciary Committee on whether to approve an ‘emergency’ 400 million dollar aide package to local police to arrest drug dealers. I listened as 6 of my colleagues in law enforcement testified that the sky would fall in as their areas would arrest far fewer drug dealers, if they did not receive the money. A staffer of every member of the Judiciary has received a LEAP presentation, which among other items, emphasizes the futility of arresting drug dealers large and small. Each has received a copy of the DEA pamphlet which states that: “Drugs are readily available to America’s youth…” Not one of the 40 odd members of the committee asked the most important question (IMO): ‘Is it not true that all drug dealers arrested are quickly replaced? If that is so, what is the point in giving you more money to arrest more?’ The questions & comments from the Congressmen reminded me of a love fest, not a serious discussion of the issue. Heavy sigh….back to work on Tuesday. PS. Several of you wrote a few weeks back that I sounded discouraged and urged me to continue. Of course I am discouraged from time to time. Failure, however, is not an option. I will work on this bastard of a policy until it is in the history books or I draw my last breath. Not to worry.

[Courtesy of Just Say Know] 

Once again another life has been needlessly sacrificed in the name of our heinous drug laws. Rachel Hoffman would still be with us today except for the way we choose to deal with drug use and addiction. To Ms. Hoffman’s family and friends, please accept our deepest condolences and heartfelt regret for your loss. The pain and suffering Ms. Hoffman and you have been forced into by those sworn to protect us is inexcusable. This absolutely unnecessary tragedy will not be forgotten. There is no excuse for this. The shameful unfounded defense offered by the authorities attempting to shift responsibility for the tragedy of their own incompetent actions to the victim is nothing short of reprehensible. This story should outrage all of Florida, all the USA and all the world. Florida has some of the toughest drug laws in the country and they have not accomplished any positive results, only harms. The harms of our drug policy are vividly reflected in Ms. Hoffman’s case. By all accounts in the news stories about her, Ms. Hoffman was a vibrant, well educated, well adjusted young woman with a bright future. She was loved by her family, a college graduate, well liked by her peers… in short the reflection of the vast majority of casual drug users. We also learned Ms. Hoffman supported at least two of the drug policy reform organizations we work with. Most people who use drugs are not addicts or criminals by any stretch of the imagination, except that we have allowed their right to ingest certain substances to be criminalized. The results of prohibition are well documented. Any time you prohibit anything you instantly create a black market commerce for that item and the results are always the same… criminals take over the business and violence and death follow. We’ve seen our ridiculous drug policy cause tragedy, corruption, waste of resources, harm to citizens and society beyond imagination and once again needless death. There’s a growing movement to change this but we must all take action or tragedy will continue. Visit our site and take civic actions that will make a difference. Sending an email or making a phone call to your elected representatives can do more good than you might think. If not now, when? If not you, who? Enough is enough! Just shaking your head and saying “that’s a shame” will not stop this. We posted another “Law Enforcement Against Prohibition” video on our home page. Take a few minutes and watch it and then be sure to contact your elected representatives and tell them to end the drug war now! There are much better ways to deal with drug use and addiction without the death, disease, violence, corruption, arrest of 1.9 million non-violent Americans each year and countless other harms directly caused by drug prohibition. Tobacco is the only success story in dealing with drug use. Almost half of all tobacco users have stopped and no one was arrested or killed. These amazing results came about through honest education and regulation not a war on tobacco users. PROHIBITION DOES NOT WORK, NEVER HAS AND NEVER WILL!

If you’re using internet explorer web browser use this link: http://jsknow.angelfire.com/home

If you’re using any other web browser use this link: http://jsknow.angelfire.com/index.html

Use this link to locate and contact your congressional representatives. Tell them you are in favor of HR 5842 (medical marijuana patient protection act) and HR 5843: (act to remove federal penalties for the personal use of marijuana by responsible adults). These two important legislative measures will greatly improve the lives of all Americans. HR 5842 Will provide for the medical use of marijuana in accordance with the laws of the various states and HR 5843 will remove federal penalties for the personal use of marijuana by responsible adults.

If clicking the text above doesn’t take you to the web page, copy and paste this into your web browser:

http://capwiz.com/norml2/home/

You can also contact your representatives by calling this number: 202-224-3121.

This is critical! Take action now, don’t wait. Ask all your associates to take action too!

CLICK HERE AND ENTER THE SEARCH WORDS BELOW TO READ THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION THAT NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT:

http://thomas.loc.gov/home/c110query.html

TO READ H.R.5842, SEARCH USING THESE WORDS:

Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act

TO READ H.R.5843, SEARCH USING THESE WORDS:

Act to Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults

JUST SAY KNOW IS HAVING A MEMBERSHIP DRIVE TO HELP PREPARE FOR WHAT’S SHAPING UP TO BE A VERY ACTIVE SUMMER IN THE DRUG POLICY REFORM MOVEMENT. MEMBERSHIP IS ONLY $25 PER YEAR (LESS THAN 7 CENTS A DAY) AND DURING THIS MEMBERSHIP DRIVE THAT’S THE FAMILY PLAN, SO EVERY VOTER LIVING UNDER THE SAME ROOF THAT WANTS TO BE A MEMBER IS INCLUDED. JUST REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE WITH “DONATION” IN THE SUBJECT LINE AND WE’LL CONTACT YOU BY EMAIL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION!

Virginia: Cumbersome, 'Horrible,' and in Need of Reform In the Commonwealth of Virginia, where individuals with felony convictions are permanently banned from voting, several organizations are making an effort to educate and motivate eligible citizens to muster the arduous restoration process that requires action by the governor. According to Sheri Iachetta, Charlottesville's general registrar, the restoration request process is time consuming and she even called the forms "horrible." The application for persons convicted of non-violent offenses is two pages; the application for those convicted of violent offenses is 12 pages. After waiting five years after all court obligations have been completed, a person convicted of a violent felony must obtain a burdensome collection of paperwork including: - a letter from most recent probation or parole officer - copies of pre- or post-sentence report - certified copies of every order of conviction and sentencing orders - three letters of reference - a personal letter to the governor explaining convictions and how life has changed "It's really a daunting procedure," Iachetta admitted to the C-Ville Weekly. The Virginia Organizing Project is planning to have 50 interns knock on 300,000 doors to hand out restoration applications in order to get people registered by the October 6 deadline and vote in November. The Virginia League of Women Voters is also dedicating its mission to vote restoration. Kentucky: Left Out of History - Again As Kentuckians hit the polls this week, many residents were unable to make their mark on history. Due to the Commonwealth's harsh felon disenfranchisement laws, citizens with felony convictions are permanently barred from voting - an "immense" impact on the state's electorate, according to Facing South. One out of every 17 Kentucky citizens is barred from voting and one out of every four African-American citizens in Kentucky is unable to vote. Of those barred, about 70% have completed their sentence. - - - - - - 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

 

In memory of Rachel Morningstar Hoffman... December 17, 1984 - May 7, 2008 Donate to the Rachel Morningstar Foundation

Dear Friend,

Nearly two weeks ago, an SSDP member lost her life in the crossfire of the War on Drugs.

Rachel Hoffman had just graduated from Florida State University, with plans to attend culinary school. As an undergrad, she was popular among her group of friends, many of whom she met through her involvement in FSU's chapters of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).

Like many college students, she shared marijuana with her friends, and would often "go in" on larger amounts in order to save money. And that's how she got busted.

Rachel was threatened with prison time, then promised a slap on the wrist if she agreed to wear a wire and set up a deal with her suppliers. Tallahassee police gave her $13,000 in cash and told her to purchase 1,500 ecstasy pills, 2 ounces of cocaine, and a handgun. They never informed her attorney, family, or the state prosecutor before they sent Rachel into the lions' den that day. And nobody had the chance to tell her she was in way over her head.

After police found Rachel's body, they held a press conference and blamed her for her own death. Among Rachel's family and friends, sadness quickly turned into outrage and action. Last Wednesday, hundreds of students marched in protest of the role the Tallahassee Police Department played in Rachel's death. They held signs that read "Who Killed Rachel?" and "No More Drug War" while wearing t-shirts from SSDP and other allied organizations. Please take a moment to watch this powerful video of the demonstration:

In her memory, Rachel's parents have established the Rachel Morningstar Foundation, the goal of which is to pass a law requiring legal advice to be sought before a civilian can consent to undercover work. They will also work to decriminalize marijuana in Florida. Please make a generous donation to the foundation today, and include a personal note to Rachel's parents if you are moved to do so.

In the meantime, Rachel's murderers must be brought to justice. But the drug dealers who pulled the trigger clearly aren't the only ones responsible for her death. They are the police who coerced her into being an informant and the politicians who justify waging a War on Drugs to "protect young people from drugs," while using those very same young people as pawns in their deadly game. On Wednesday, one protester's sign poignantly asked, "Do you feel safe?"

Whether you are a student, an alum, an educator, or a nonstudent, there are plenty of ways you can join with SSDP in the fight to replace the War on Drugs with policies of regulation and control that will actually make us safe.

But for today, I hope you'll take a moment with me to reflect upon the countless lives lost in the name of this unjust war, and to honor the passing of one of our own.

Then, let's get to work.

Sincerely,
Micah Daigle
National Field Director
Students for Sensible Drug Policy