Feature: Venezuela, US Governments Spar Over Drug Fighting
Washington and Caracas traded barbs over Venezuelan cooperation (or the lack thereof) with US drug fighters this week.
Crime & Violence
Europe: Scottish Heroin Crackdown Sparks Violent Crime Increase
Police in Scotland engineered a crackdown on heroin in Dundee, only to find they had created a crime wave.
Feature: US Drug Policies Flawed and Failed, Experts Tell Congressional Committee
In a historic US Congress Joint Economic Committee hearing Thursday, Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) opened up discussion on the Hill of the economic costs of US drug policy.
Feature: Amsterdam, Connecticut? Drug Reformer With Bold Vision Seeks State Office, Radical Change
A former Navy officer and drug fighter turned drug reformer is running for the state House of Representatives in Connecticut. He's calling for safe injection sites, opiate maintenance, and taxed and regulated marijuana sales, and he could use your help.
Latin America: US House Approves Mexico Anti-Drug Aid Bill, But Mexico Balks at Senate Human Rights Conditions
The Merida Initiative anti-drug assistance package for Mexico and Central America passed the House this week, but Mexico is balking at human rights and other conditions in the Senate version of the bill. Will the Senate sacrifice human rights on the altar of the drug war?
Feature: Mendocino Marijuana Battle Waits for Election Results, Restrictive Initiative Draws Strong Opposition
California's Mendocino County has grown rich off of marijuana, but problems have come with the prosperity. Now, everyone is waiting to see whether last week's still undecided election will mean the county takes a step backward from its liberal cultivation laws.
Latin America: Rising Death Toll in Mexico's Drug War Signals Imminent Victory, Attorney General Claims
People are being killed in prohibition-related violence in Mexico at a rate 50% higher than last year. Mexico's attorney general claims that's a sign of success in the drug war.
Europe: Calabrian Mob Grows Rich and Powerful on Cocaine Profits
Move over, Sicilian Mafia. The Calabrian mob, grown rich and powerful off trafficking in black market cocaine, are the new tough guys in Europe.
Law Enforcement: Death of Florida Student Forced to Become a Snitch Sparks Protests in Tallahassee
The killing of a Florida State University student who became an informer after being busted on drug charges has provoked angry protests by her friends and fellow students.
Latin America: Prohibition-Related Violence Surges in Mexico
More than 100 people, including several top federal police commanders, have been killed in surging prohibition-related violence in Mexico in recent days as the so-called drug cartels strike back hard against police, soldiers, and each other.