Drug WarRant

So the DEA held a press conference today for the opening of the offensive DEA exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. Of course, we weren’t allowed to attend. Press credentials required. They wouldn’t want to have to face any real questions.
However, they might have been a bit surprised. Several of the press that planned to attend had already talked to us prior to the press conference. I’d love to hear a report.
Here’s our press release and, of course, our response website: DEA Targets America.
I’m heading up there in a few hours and plan to be there all day Friday and Saturday — others will be joining me. Feel free to stop by and join in the fun. We’re taking a very non-confrontational approach — simply helping museum patrons learn more about the real costs of prohibition.
After all, as one report has already mentioned:

The goal of the exhibit, [DEA’s Garrison] Courtney added, was to spark conversations that might not have started at home.

We’ll be passing out flyers to spark conversations. As new articles about the exhibit come out in the press, those who can’t be at the exhibit passing out flyers, can engage a conversation through letters to the editor.
Update: Chicago Tribune gives it a mostly promo-piece by Josh Noel, but it does include:

A heavy effort is made to link drugs to terrorism, and near an enormous image of Osama bin Laden it is noted that Al Qaeda has thrived in the drug trade. But the connection isn’t always as clear: In the “Impact on the World” display, images from the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks sit beside a photo described as “addicts getting high.”
Even Bensinger had a hard time explaining it.
The exhibit also includes browned and distorted pieces of the World Trade Center, which sit in the middle of the hall beside pieces of the Pentagon.
The link between drugs and those pieces of wreckage seems circuitous at best, leading critics to say the exhibit is more like propaganda than an objective treatment of the topic.

2nd Update: Sun Times comes out (and they’re one of the sponsors).

The exhibit has already been shown in several cities, most recently Detroit. It has drawn criticism from some groups that say it’s more DEA publicity than education and that it ignores the argument that criminalizing drugs creates the lucrative, underground trade that ends up financing terrorism.
Tandy discounted the criticism. “I think it’s hard for these groups because the facts aren’t on their side. That’s all they can say.”

What a blatant dodge to avoid answering the criticism! Facts aren’t on our side? Try going to http://www.DEAtargetsAmerica.com and saying that.

From the Gulf Times in Qatar:

KABUL: The war against drugs in Afghanistan is a failure and the strategy needs to be changed, the top UN official in the world’s biggest heroin-producing country said yesterday.
“Nobody can say that we have been successful if the poppy production has increased,” Tom Koenigs, the UN Secretary-General’s special representative in Afghanistan, told a monthly press conference.
“Certainly the strategy and the effort have to be rethought,” said Koenigs, adding: “The problem has increased and the remedy has to adjust.”

Gee, if only someone could come up with a solution. Oh, that’s right. Someone did.
We’ve been talking about it here for some time.. The Senlis Council has been working on a detailed feasibility study, and senior conservative MPs in Britain have urged this approach.
Of course the U.N. drug czar and representatives can’t consider a proposal that’s economically and logically sound, but doesn’t involve destroying, seizing, or arresting.
So all they can do is scratch their heads and say, “Boy, this is a tough one!”
Update: Meanwhile, our own drug czar decides to increase the stupidity involved exponentially.

But Mr Walters today said that eradicating the opium crop was the only way for Afghanistan to achieve lasting peace.

Via Hit and Run and Rehabology:
The new ad campaign from DrugFree.org:

Captions (see all ads at Rehabology):

If only I had AIDS. Then you would have some idea of what I was up against. You would see famous people wearing ribbons and speaking freely about my condition. You would walk, run and bike for greater awareness of my disease. If I had AIDS, you would understand that I need treatment, not scorn.
It’d be better if I had cancer. Then you wouldn’t tell me that what I’m going through is just a phase. You wouldn’t see my condition as a lack of willpower but the disease that it truly is. There would be telethons, walks and campaigns to raise funds to end it. If I had cancer you’d understand I need treatment, not a lecture.
I’d rather have heart disease. That way you wouldn’t look at me with shame. You and I could talk openly about my problem. There would be no stigma. You could ask your friends how their family members got help. Insurance might cover it. If I had heart disease you would understand I need treatment, not hate.
I’d be better off with a brain tumor. That way you wouldn’t put off getting me the help I need. You’d understand that my condition is only going to get worse and not to hope it will go away by itself. If I had a brain tumour you’d understand I need treatment, not indifference.

Jacob Sullum has it right:

Leaving aside the scientific, conceptual, and moral issues, I’m not convinced that viewing addiction as a disease leads to less oppressive policies, as opposed to giving the war on drugs a kinder, gentler veneer by calling coercive re-education treatment instead of punishment. But let’s take the Partnership for a Drug-Free America at its word: Addiction is a disease just like cancer or AIDS. Do police arrest people for having cancer or AIDS? Do doctors treat people for cancer or AIDS against their will? Are people with cancer or AIDS disqualified from various professions because the government refuses to license them? Until the partnership’s prohibitionist propagandists start taking on these policies, I can’t even give them credit for believing their own bullshit.

Lieberman’s loss in the Connecticut primary may not seem to be of much consequence to readers of Drug WarRant. However…
The media may frame it as a vote about the Iraq war, but if there is a lesson that politicians are taking away from this event, it’s that the incumbent is not safe, and that if you aren’t representing your constituents, it doesn’t matter how much support you have from the machine. It’s a huge and scary surprise to incumbents — they haven’t really had to pay attention to us before.
This might be a good time to remind them that the general population is way ahead of politicians when it comes to issues like medical marijuana and smarter approaches than incarcerating non-violent drug offenders.
If they don’t listen, work to elect their opponents. This time, there just might be enough anti-incumbent sentiment to pull it off.
The other aspect in our favor in this particular race is that the Lieberman loss is also a defeat for neocons — the same movement that has been pushing for increased drug war tools for fighting terrorism, and increased terrorism fighting tools to go after drug users, and reduced individual freedom for everyone. It’s too early to tell if Republican neocons will be experiencing a backlash along with their favorite Democrat, but it seems possible — perhaps even likely.

In The Pantagraph:

School drug testing just doesn’t work
Once again, a school is considering the disgusting and reprehensible practice of making children pee in a cup while their teacher listens (“Drug testing now policy in district,” July 31, page A5).
It’s only for those who want to be in music or some other competitive activity, but that doesn’t make it better. It makes it incomprehensible.
First, drug testing in schools doesn’t work.
The largest study ever conducted on the topic — funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse — found that schools that engage in drug testing have identical rates of drug use to schools that don’t test their students.
But drug testing is a huge growth industry, and companies are relentless in trying to make schools feel guilty about not purchasing their product.
Second, study after study has shown that extra-curricular activities provide positive experiences that reduce the likelihood of kids using drugs. By testing only those who try out for these positive activities, you drive away the at-risk kids who could benefit, leaving them, where? On the streets?
Logically, it would make much more sense for schools to test only the kids who are not participating. But that’s illegal. So in order to appear to be doing something useful, schools make the problem worse by sweeping at-risk kids under the rug.
Is there something good that schools can do? Absolutely. Put that drug testing money into band uniforms. Add more opportunities and incentives for kids to participate in activities.
And if parents want their kids tested? Go ahead. What’s stopping you? These tests are easily available online or in local stores. Parents groups can raise money to subsidize them if they wish.
And if listening to a child urinate is even appropriate, it should be done by his or her parents. Not government officials or English teachers.
Pete Guither
Bloomington

Just got back from four days without technology and I’m trying to catch up.
“bullet” Our Press Release on the DEA exhibit is out and already getting some media attention. I’ve got a couple of interviews tomorrow.
“bullet” A nice editorial about Hemp in the San Francisco Chronicle, calling for the legalization of industrial hemp in California. [thanks, Allan]
“bullet” UN Drug Czar Antonio Maria Costa continues to proclaim his stupidity (or, at the very least, his view that the entire world is stupid enough to believe his propaganda) in Reefer is Worth Getting Mad About [thanks, DdC]
“bullet” Brian Bennett has a startlingly powerful chart demonstrating clearly how we are throwing money away on the drug war.
“bullet” Radley Balko is continuing his outstanding work. In Accountability, Part One he updates us on the lack of action in investigating the death of Anthony Diotaiuto. Also see Accountability, Part Two and Accountability, Part Three.

During the next few days, while I’m gone, this blog will achieve…

… page views.
The most accurate measure for this blog’s all-time page views is the Salon rankings (see the right column – #16).
I’ve decided to award a prize to the millionth page view, but I have no way of knowing who that is, so…
The winner of the most creative argument I receive while I’m gone that you were the millionth page view (or closest to it) will receive an item of their choice at the Drug WarRant Merchandise Shop! That’s right — any one item of your choice. Make it an interesting argument, add visual aids if you wish, create your own documentation… The final decision on the winner will be completely arbitrary and not subject to appeal.

I’m taking another opportunity to go to the lake in Iowa — middle of nowhere with no internet access for about 4 days.
So, for all you Drug WarRant junkies out there, sorry about the lack of posts coming up, but there’s plenty of interesting stuff for you to do while I’m gone.
“bullet” Take the time to listen to Jack Cole’s interview on NPR in Seattle and learn more about LEAP.
“bullet” Take the time to read all of Radley Balko’s White Paper Overkill: The Rise of Paramilitary Police Raids in America
“bullet” If you haven’t yet, discover the world of Drug WarRant’s messageboard, including

• Beginnings of an effort to get SAMHSA to correct their webpage falsehoods about drug testing in the workplace.
• A discussion about the efforts in England to re-classify drugs based on a harm scale rather than political considerations.
• A group of committed Letter writers.

“bullet” Join the Drug WarRant Wiki and contribute to the Voting Guide or the list of Drug War Studies.
Or read some of the great links on the left.

We’re making some good progress in countering the upcoming DEA exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.
The flyers have arrived and they look fabulous. High-quality, professional-looking, glossy, card stock, 4″ x 6″, easy to read and put in your pocket. I’m looking forward to handing them out. Still looking for others to help. Contact me if you’re interested.
The website – http://www.DEAtargetsAmerica.com – has expanded to include a welcome page, a page with the flyer text, a Prohibition Then and Now page, and a page about the DEA’s exhibit. Check it out.
We’re working on media contacts, and once that gets out, some follow-up letters to the editor will be in order.
I’m getting some tremendous help from the wonderful folks at Students for Sensible Drug Policy and Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.

Radio Free Afghanistan

KABUL, August 1, 2006 — Anti-narcotics police from Columbia [sic] the world’s leading producer of cocaine — have been touring Afghanistan — the world’s top producer of heroin.
They are in Afghanistan to advise officials on how to combat its drug trade. For the past 10 days, the five-member team has been meeting Afghan anti-drug officials from all over the country. Afghan officials say the Columbians [sic] may help train Afghan anti-drug agents in the future.

Their first piece of advice? Probably to send a multi-billion dollar “eradication” plan to the U.S. Congress and call it “Plan Afghanistan.” Ask for helicopters and tanks.
It’s amazing how incompetence is rewarded…