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Newsbrief:
US
Explores
Drugging
Rioters
10/4/02
As part of its research into
non-lethal weapons, the Pentagon has been exploring the use of drugs such
as Valium to incapacitate unruly crowds. Officials in the Defense
Department's Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate have been discussing
the use of chemical "calmatives" for at least two years, and British military
officials have also joined in the discussions. Pennsylvania State
University researchers have also prepared a 50-page report saying calmative
weapons are "achievable and desirable" and suggesting drugs like Valium
for further research.
The chemical warfare plan
came to light thanks to the Sunshine Project (http://www.sunshine-project.org),
a chemical and biological weapons watchdog group that acquired the Penn
State study and hundreds of pages of other non-lethal weapons documents
under the Freedom of Information Act. According to the Sunshine Project's
Edward Hammond, the research violates international treaties and federal
laws against chemical weapons.
"It is a rotten idea to drug
rioters," Hammond told the Associated Press. "Beyond being a horrible
idea, it's illegal. If the US is going to denounce countries around
the world for violating chemical and biological arms control treaties,
it better make sure its own house is in order first," he said.
The chemical weapons treaty
allows security forces to use temporary irritants, such as pepper spray
and tear gas, as riot control weapons, but bans the use of chemicals that
incapacitate people.
-- END --
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Issue #257, 10/4/02
DEA to California Medical Marijuana Patients: Drop Dead | Federal Parole Bill Orphaned with Death of Sole Sponsor -- Activists, Prisoners Look to Other Bills, Other Sponsors | Canadian Government Announces Parliament to Consider Marijuana Decriminalization -- US Worries, Blusters | Widely Hyped Ecstasy Study Full of Holes, Critics Say | In Brazil, "Parallel Power" of the Narcos Flexes Muscle on Eve of Elections | Montana Drug Policy Task Force Calls for More Treatment and Prevention, War on Meth | The November Coalition Hits the Road: Journey for Justice Aims to Mobilize Support for Freeing Drug War Prisoners | Newsbrief: Peruvian Coca on Rise as Country Revamps Coca Eradication Effort | Uribe Wants to Recriminalize Drug Possession in Colombia | Newsbrief: California Governor Vetoes Bill Allowing Syringe Sales, Vetoed Industrial Hemp Study Earlier | Newsbrief: California Town to Pay $3 Million, Apologize for Drug Raid Death | Newsbrief: And the Killing Continues | Newsbrief: Nevada -- The Survey Says... Legalize It! | Newsbrief: University of Missouri SSDP, NORML in Marijuana Decriminalization Petition Drive | Newsbrief: US Explores Drugging Rioters | Newsbrief: Drug Warrior Maginnis Leaves Family Research Council | Newsbrief: DPA Campaign Provides Tools to Fight School Drug Testing | Calling on Students to Raise Your Voices for Repeal of the HEA Drug Provision | Do You Read The Week Online? | Action Alerts: Rave Bill, Medical Marijuana, Higher Education Act Drug Provision | The Reformer's Calendar
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