cannabisnews.com: Drug Czar Urges Miami Leaders To Band Together 





Drug Czar Urges Miami Leaders To Band Together 
Posted by CN Staff on June 18, 2003 at 12:32:49 PT
By Ken Thomas, Associated Press Writer
Source: Associated Press
Coral Gables, Fla. -- The nation's drug czar told Miami leaders Wednesday that the fight to reduce the use of illegal narcotics will hinge on a coordinated effort by local groups in every American community.John Walters, President Bush's director of National Drug Control Policy, made his second stop on a tour of 25 U.S. cities accounting for 80 percent of the nation's drug problem. President Bush has pledged to reduce U.S. drug use by 10 percent in two years and 25 percent in five years.
"We're not coming here for a pep rally. We're not coming here for a one-time visit," Walters said. "We are trying to establish a deeper engagement of people who govern here, have public responsibility and many people in private institutions that save lives everyday."Walters met with city leaders and local community groups targeting illegal drug use in Miami, including Mayor Manny Diaz and Police Chief John Timoney.Local leaders said they hoped to work with city programs to curb drug use and provide treatment for youngsters involved in drug arrests. They also vowed to reduce marijuana and ecstasy use by youngsters by 10 percent in a year."(Marijuana) is not a rite of passage drug. It is a dangerous drug. We know it causes problems and we know that it leads to other problems," said Marilyn Wagner-Culp, president of The Miami Coalition for a Safe and Drug-Free Community.Recent national surveys have shown declines in drug use by youngsters. An annual survey released in December by the Department of Health and Human Services found drug use over the past year among eighth-graders and 10th-graders dropped, with marijuana use by eighth-graders at its lowest rate since 1994.The same study found teen use of heroin, cocaine and steroids remained fairly steady during the past year.A survey by the Florida Department of Children & Families in 2002 found that about 19 percent of middle school students and 26 percent of high school students in Miami-Dade County reported use of an illicit drug sometime during their lives. The same survey found about 11 percent of the students used an illicit drug within the past month.Local leaders said Miami faces unique problems as a traditional gateway city in the Latin American drug trade and a place of entry for many new immigrants, causing many children to turn to drug dealing."It's probably easy money to a lot of kids who aren't finding a job somewhere and they let themselves get used for this kind of purpose," Diaz said. "And because we have a constant inflow of immigrants, it's a very vulnerable group of people and the dealers, I suspect, probably target a lot of these groups."Walters said in an interview that the initiative will attempt to better coordinate community organizations formed to fight drug use and make them more aware of federal funding for treatment and prevention."Most of the people at those programs feel that they're operating in isolation in too many cases," Walters said. "They're working their heart out to treat or to prevent or to make a community safer but the rest of the city isn't engaged in a way it could be."Complete Title: Drug Czar Urges Miami Leaders To Band Together To Fight Drugs Source: Associated PressAuthor: Ken Thomas, Associated Press WriterPublished:  June 18, 2003Copyright: 2003 Associated Press Related Articles:Drug Czar Stymied http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16585.shtmlLawmakers Rebuff White House in Drug Bill http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16563.shtml
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on June 19, 2003 at 10:08:45 PT
Jose
I don't think it will be live but I read on CC that people will be taping so we should see how it went in a day or two. 
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Comment #18 posted by Truth on June 19, 2003 at 10:02:03 PT
GCW
"It’s a fight between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."You're being kind today, my friend, I'd put it:It’s a fight between the spirit of Truth and the spirit of "deception".
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on June 19, 2003 at 09:41:36 PT
Another Anti-Drug Article
Reefer Badness  There's a lot of misinformation out there: Here's more. June 18, 2003Last Wednesday White House anti-drug crusaders set up camp at KETC-TV (Channel 9)'s downtown St. Louis offices as part of a cross-country tour to help reduce teen drug use 25 percent by 2007. The way the feds see it, the media are part of the drug problem. According to Robert W. Denniston, deputy director of the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, less than 10 percent of news stories about marijuana mention negative consequences. "So we know there's a lot of misinformation out there," Denniston says. Eager to do our part -- and to partake of the free box lunch -- Unreal joined two fellow journalists, a dozen drug-treatment providers and the anti-drug panel, which consisted of Denniston, two experts and a reformed teen toker. "We have a lot of new scientific information," Denniston let it be known. Complete Article: http://www.riverfronttimes.com/issues/2003-06-18/unreal.html/1/index.html
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Comment #16 posted by Jose Melendez on June 19, 2003 at 07:42:33 PT
will it be live on pot-tv.net?
from:http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/2977.htmlCanada's drug war over or just beginning? 
by Reverend Damuzi (19 Jun, 2003) A snapshot of a country in the midst of changeCanada's drug enforcement is in chaos, police in some provinces have stopped enforcing possession laws altogether, and in some places - for the first time since the 1920's - joints can be smoked openly in backyards, on patios, and even on sidewalks. Many are openly celebrating, including Marc Emery, who plans a protest on the sidewalk in front of the Toronto Police Station at 40 College Street West, this coming Thursday, June 19 at 4:20 pm, where he will openly smoke marijuana.The reason behind the festivities is the Ontario Supreme Court ruling that Canada's drug laws are invalid, a decision that followed much wrangling between defense attorneys and prosecutors in many provinces where courts had also tossed the possession law, including PEI and Nova Scotia.Since the Ontario Supreme Court ruling, Canada's Justice Department is practically wringing its hands, trying to find new ways to keep a steady flow of pot busts flowing through the courts. On June 10, it asked the courts to delay its pot-favourable ruling until an appeal could be heard. The courts denied the request.Meanwhile, a new anti-drug bill is working its way through parliament, cleverly disguised as "decriminalization" - but in reality a bill that will mean more busts, harsher enforcement, and longer jail sentences.
 (Snipped)
Complete Article
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Comment #15 posted by BigDawg on June 19, 2003 at 06:06:44 PT
CorvallisEric
Great link.Been wondering that myself. When I was in high school, smoking cannabis was accepted by all... even those who chose not to partake. Where are all those people now???
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Comment #14 posted by The GCW on June 19, 2003 at 04:44:05 PT
The spirit of truth against the spirit of error.
6:19:3Cannabis may be used to help understand and notice the Presence of God, in You around You and on and on...Noticing that the shewbread may well be cannabis, is interesting. There is a lot that is written that seems to indicated that cannabis and the shewbread are one, while there doesn’t seem to be anything to discount cannabis being shew bread. (Now) In looking at the list of places where shewbread is in the KJV Bible, then seeing what the N.A.S.B, says, brings up the following observations.2 of the dominating choices of words or phrases used to replace shewbread are The bread of the Presence, and showbread. The bread of Presence, may indicate bread that helps know and see and sense the Presence of God.In Exodus 35:13..., The table, and his staves, and all his vessels, and the shewbread, , (NASB translates shewbread as BREAD OF THE PRESENCE with a small reference to Face,) also (Ex. 35:15, includes the anointing oil and the fragrant incense...)That’s like saying that the bread of the Presence, is like the bread of the Face.Again, then there is reference to what it is that is perceived, as not something loony, but true, and not only true but true in Biblical terms that is even Biblically verified as such.This all indicates that Biblically, it is clear sin to cage humans for using a plant, this plant.Cannabis may be; a green seed bearing plant; the tree of knowledge of good and evil; the tree of life; the hidden manna; the shewbread; kaneh bosm; the sweet smelling incense; an ingredient in the Holy Anointing oil; an herb; medicine; meat; food; for the healing of the nations; used to make the 1st Bible; God’s Provisions (as subtitled in the N.A.S.B. in the Philippians 4:18 area); the Kahuna of the plant kingdom; a pleasing aroma; the bread of the Presence; the showbread; the flowers; an ingredient in the anointing oil; the topic of discussion in “The sin of the Priests” in Malachi 1:6-14, as subtitled in the NASB; ......Cannabis is all that and way more, but it is not ok for caging humans for using such.It seems to be a real stumbling block for way too many Christians... ...it separates many Christians from the spirit of error as told in John 14 - 16.Live in the Truth according to The Ecologician who gave it to Us.Consider, if You use cannabis: thank Him for It: Your daily bread –1 Tim. 4:1-5. http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?passage=1TIM%2B4&showfn=on&showxref=on&language=english&version=NASB&x=15&y=11 Believe Me when I tell You, it could make a difference.
While We are growing in the spirit (and We are), let’s do the works of Christ and more.Along with all the tools -computer etc. that We have, to fight to stop the senseless cagings... Our spiritual attainments becoming reality and stronger and more aware, will lead each of Us on to fight in glorious ways.It’s a fight between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error....“The sin of the Priests” in Malachi 1:6-14, as subtitled in the NASB; ... http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?passage=MAL%2B1&showfn=on&showxref=on&language=english&version=NASB&x=13&y=8 LET US BAND TOGETHER WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF TRUTH AND ROCK!The Green Collar Worker
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on June 18, 2003 at 20:50:38 PT
CorvallisEric
That is a cool link. I wasn't even on line until the fall of 96 and it was way into 97 until I really started finding much of anything. It seems so long ago.
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Comment #12 posted by CorvallisEric on June 18, 2003 at 20:41:01 PT
Reefer Gladness (comments 8 and 10)
Another article in a similar vein from 1996.http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/01.25.96/pot-9604.htmlWhere are all the clean-cut, briefcase-toting dope smokers? We know they're out there. Twenty-five years after the giddy and widespread inauguration of marijuana onto U.S. college campuses, there are millions of people who have smoked pot quietly for decades with little ill effect. Twelve-steppers call them "normies," people who use drugs in moderation, without hampering their personal or professional lives. Many are baby boomers who, 20 years ago, lit up America with a transcontinental parade of burning joints. As they've gotten older and more established, their silence on the issue has become deafening.
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Comment #11 posted by CorvallisEric on June 18, 2003 at 20:18:39 PT
AlvinCool and anyone considering mass mailing
I don't think it's a question of legality as much as one of ethics, public relations, and whether or not we want to be thought of as good citizens of the internet. There's info at the link, including links to "help for marketers" and current news items about junk mail.
Fight Spam on the Internet!
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on June 18, 2003 at 17:38:34 PT
Thanks lag
Yes it was posted and it was a good article. Here it is!http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16618.shtml
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Comment #9 posted by lag on June 18, 2003 at 17:36:41 PT
I am sure that 
other areas are fairly similar.
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Comment #8 posted by lag on June 18, 2003 at 17:35:00 PT
There are areas that just aren't going to buy it
I just can't imagine that too many people in the Bay Area would give one hoot about Walters attempt to reduce marijuana consumption. I mean, our school teachers smoke it (privately of course) and the parents and students love them (relatively speaking of course, some might just be bad teachers). Well, everyone smokes...I don't know if this article from SFGate has been posted, but it is awesome. The problem is that they are just going to push it underground. 
Reefer gladness 
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Comment #7 posted by AlvinCool on June 18, 2003 at 16:15:25 PT
Information
Man is this guy so weird. Wouldn’t it be really easy to catch dealers if they ran down to the local poor immigrants with no money to sell them drugs? Didn't they do that in the old cop series, and always got caught since they were strangers.Has anyone here ever considered mass mailing cannabis issues? I got some junk mail saying that they would email 35 million addresses for $150 Think about 30 of us sending one mass mail every day for a month. We could offer them a free membership to cannabisnews  ;) all 35 million of them. It would probably fry the site or something with that much incoming traffic. Heck maybe Norml or Mapinc would like in on this. I bet we could get 1000 people to buy accounts over a say two month period. I think I'll check with Normal and ask them what they think of the legalities involved. Anybody got an idea on that? 
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on June 18, 2003 at 13:59:28 PT
Commonsense
Here's an article that sheds a little more light on this case.Woman struck and killed by car recalled as hard workerBy JULIET V. CASEY 
REVIEW-JOURNAL An 89-year-old Las Vegas woman known by her neighbors as "walking Stella" was struck and killed Friday in an accident that police have attributed to an impaired driver. Her son and neighbors said Stella Hutchins was the picture of health, looking at least 20 years younger than her age, when she left for her five-mile morning walk. http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2001/Nov-10-Sat-2001/news/17420517.html
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Comment #5 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on June 18, 2003 at 13:44:39 PT
Pledge THIS
"President Bush has pledged to reduce U.S. drug use by 10 percent in two years and 25 percent in five years."Wasn't it Reagan who promised the nation would be drug free by the early 1990s?
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Comment #4 posted by Commonsense on June 18, 2003 at 13:44:35 PT
Deborah M- Fong 
This could turn into a real story. I wonder what the blood test results looked like on this lady? Nevada has extremely low cut offs on the statutes on impaired driving and their laws are strict liability laws. No other proof of impairment is required, simply testing positive with an unbelievably low amount of marijuana metabolites in your system will get you convicted. She was sure to go to prison. And if the amount was so low that you could make a really strong argument that this lady was not impaired, this could be used to argue against such laws in other states and even to modify the unfair laws in Nevada. 
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on June 18, 2003 at 13:38:11 PT
MikeEEEEE
It is sad. Fear of 20 years in jail and guilt over the accidental killing of another human being can push a person over the edge.I don't know how they can reduce drug use. Soon people will do drugs just to escape reality. The more people are pushed the more they will push back. 
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Comment #2 posted by MikeEEEEE on June 18, 2003 at 13:29:58 PT
FoM
I'm sorry to see another victim of the drug war."President Bush has pledged to reduce U.S. drug use by 10 percent in two years and 25 percent in five years."HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HABut I don't laugh when I realize they're wasting our money.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on June 18, 2003 at 13:14:11 PT
News Brief -- Associated Press
Vegas Woman Commits Suicide Before Sentencing For Fatal Crash
 
 
 
(June 18) -- A woman who was facing up to twenty years in prison for causing a fatal Las Vegas crash last November has committed suicide. 
  
Word that 34-year-old Deborah M- Fong is dead came minutes before a Clark County judge was supposed to sentence her for driving under the influence of marijuana, hit-and-run and involuntary manslaughter. 89-year-old Stella Hutchins was killed in the crash.  
No details of the suicide were released.   
Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=1326713&nav=168XGS1v
 
 
 
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