Two
Drug
Policy
and
Sentencing
Reform
Newsletters
Come
Out
6/2/00
Two drug policy and sentencing reform organizations, the November Coalition and Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) have recently published new issues of their respective magazines. The FAMM-gram (Spring 2000) introduces a new, more eye-pleasing format for the quarterly update. This issue is a heart-rending special issue dedicated "to the thousands of mothers who struggle to parent from prison, and to their children who struggle to understand why mom is away." With a combination of reprints of important articles and pieces written by prisoners, the issue cuts through the drug war rhetoric to show the immense human tragedy of families separated by iron bars. And, in a very effective touch, FAMM-gram makes liberal use of prisoner and prisoner family photographs to put a human face on those ever-increasing prisoner statistics. In addition to its special issue material, FAMM-gram continues with its regular coverage of specific beats: federal and state legislative watches, prison news and outreach and organizing materials. FAMM-gram is free with a membership in FAMM, which costs $25 for individuals. Contact FAMM at: FAMM, 1612 K St. NW, Suite 1400, Washington, DC 20006, (202) 822-6700 or http://www.famm.org. The Razor Wire is the bimonthly publication of the November Coalition. Like the current FAMM-gram, this issue of The Razor Wire also features women in prison. The cover photo of a group of women is surrounded by the caption "Over 227 Combined Years in Federal Prison," and on the inside are brief accounts of their stories. But the 28-page newsprint tabloid includes much more. The paper is filled with drug war news stories, both reprints and original pieces, as well as updates on state initiative campaigns across the country and prisoners' writings, including the continuing feature, "The Wall," which provides prisoner profiles. And, of course, the magazine continues to keep readers abreast of the November Coalition's actions, such as Mothers' Day vigils against the drug war in 13 U.S. cities. The Razor Wire is free, although the November Coalition will gladly accept donations. They may be contacted at: November Coalition, 795 South Cedar, Colville, WA 99114, (509) 684-1550, [email protected] or http://www.november.org. of these publications on behalf of your local drug warrior! Let your representatives see the human face of the war on drugs.
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