| Breaking News -- June 11, 2001 | |
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Nine Arkansas activists attended the conference described in the following newsletter. We can guarantee you that it was an electrifying and inspiring experience. Next year, we want 100 Arkansas activists to go. Are you going to be one? -Denele
THE LINDESMITH CENTER - DRUG POLICY FOUNDATION HELP STOP THE WAR ON DRUGS BY: 1) FORWARDING THIS NEWSLETTER TO YOUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES. 2) JOIN THE MOVEMENT TO CHANGE OUR DRUG POLICIES. Find out how at: https://www.dpf.org/MEMBERSHIP.html
CONTENTS:
CONFERENCE WRAP-UP A recurring theme throughout the conference was "Wake Up!" In a rousing plenary speech, the Rev. Edwin Sanders called upon the audience to both send a wake up call throughout America and to wake up to the coalition building needed to strengthen the reform movement. Attendees benefited from the practical advice shared by social justice visionaries such as Rev. Sanders and soon-to-retire ACLU president Ira Glasser, as well as mainstream politicians. The presence of numerous politicians underscores the growing success of drug policy reform. Featured speakers included New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, California Rep. Maxine Waters, Albuquerque Mayor Jim Baca, Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, and other national and international leaders. America's leaders are responding to growing public frustration with the war on drugs. According to a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, over 74% of Americans believe the war on drugs is a failure. The conference addressed the concerns expressed by the public, highlighted the efficacy of new drug policies and explored practical alternatives that will improve the health and safety of our families and communities. If you were not able to attend the conference in person, or listen in via the Web, you can still read highlights of some of the important sessions on our Website. Audio files of many of the presentations will soon be made available on our Website, so stay tuned for an announcement soon. Highlights from the conference include: * HUNDREDS CHEER GOVERNOR'S DRUG-REFORM STANCE * From the Albuquerque Journal, Sat, 02, Jun 2001. "In the eyes of his Saturday audience, Gov. Gary Johnson was a star. Johnson took his drug- reform message before a partisan crowd of several hundred people from all parts of the country. Once again, he called for the legalization of marijuana. The Republican was the keynote speaker on the final day of the Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy Foundation international conference. http://www.mapinc.org/tlcnews/v01/n991/a03.htm * TAKING STOCK: VICTORIES FOR DRUG POLICY * From successful ballot initiatives and legislative victories to headway in the courts, the drug reform movement has scored an impressive number of wins over the last couple of years. Panelists on Lindesmith - DPF's first plenary session provided an overview of these victories. http://www.drugpolicy.org/conference/plenary1.html * IS REFORM POSSIBLE INSIDE THE BELTWAY? * Nearly 100 advocates gathered today to discuss the future of drug reform legislation at the federal level. The panel, "Is Drug Reform Possible Inside the Beltway?" featured longtime Washington reformers discussing current issues and making an impassioned appeal for audience members to stay in contact with their legislators. Eric Sterling, President of the Criminal Justice Policy Foundation started the session with a short video that showed the necessity of approaching lawmakers in a responsible manner. He later discussed the potential to affect Mandatory Minimum sentences, but only if advocates organize and stay in touch with their members of Congress. http://www.drugpolicy.org/conference/session6.html * THE DUTCH AND THE SWISS * The Netherlands and Switzerland have dramatically improved the quality of life of their citizens by implementing harm reduction measures for "hard" drugs while (essentially) decriminalizing cannabis. Five experts on Swiss and Dutch drug policy talked to conference attendees about decriminalization, innovative policing strategies, and initiatives such as heroin maintenance and safer injection rooms. http://www.drugpolicy.org/conference/session22.html * IMPLEMENTING PROPOSITION 36 IN CALIFORNIA * A trio of reformers led a vigorous discussion of the implementation process for California's Proposition 36. Whitney Taylor, Deputy Director for Health and Harm Reduction at the Lindesmith Center - Drug Policy Foundation noted that the proposition diverts 36,000 non-violent drug possession offenders into treatment instead of incarceration. However, she said Prop 36 will not be effectively implemented unless advocates get active and involved at the state and local level. In particular activists are disappointed that the Governor, who did not support Prop 36, also has not vigorously weighed in with state regulations. Consequently, implementation has been left up to California's 58 counties, potentially resulting in 58 separate regulations. http://www.drugpolicy.org/conference/session23.html * WINNER!! STUDENT PAPER COMPETITION * Kevin W. Whiteacre, Ph.D. Student, Indiana University Department of Criminal Justice "The Cultural Milieu of Criminology and Drug Research" When we think of drugs and drug users certain images come to mind. The images are products of an array of culturally specific connotations associated with these terms. Most likely, "drug users" do not conjure up images of people sitting around a cafe consuming caffeine and nicotine. Rather, one might think of a pot smoking hippie or an emaciated crack addict. Such images and connotations are produced largely through the media. But less recognized is the role that researchers and scholars play in the production of these images. This paper seeks to identify how the discursive practices of criminology contribute to the creation of drug user identities. http://www.drugpolicy.org/library/pdf_files/milieu.pdf * CONFERENCE AWARD WINNERS * The Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy Foundation presented its awards at a special banquet during the "Drug Policies for the New Millennium" conference on June 2 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For a list awardees, please go to: http://www.drugpolicy.org/conference/awards.html INTERNATIONAL NEWS * Drug Legalization Proposed in Mexican Congress * Congressman Gregorio Urias German of the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) says it is necessary to advance toward the legalization of some drugs so that they stop being the object of exorbitant enrichment that, in Mexico alone, he confirmed, creates profits of nearly $30 billion dollars (U.S.) a year. http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/05_28_01mex_legal2.cfm NEW WEB RESOURCES * Mama Coca * Academic on-line journal on complexity, conflict and drugs in Latin America. In English, Spanish and French. http://www.mamacoca.org To read more about The Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy Foundation, visit http://www.drugpolicy.org |