Drug War Chronicle #453 - September 15, 2006

Issue #453, Phillip S. Smith, Editor - David Borden, Executive Director

1. Take a Look: Extensive New Daily News, Commentary and More on DRCNet

Now you can get new DRCNet info on our web site every day!

2. Feature: The DEA's New Proposed Policy Statement on Pain Prescribing -- What Does It Mean?

The DEA last week issued a new policy statement on prescribing opioid pain medications, and we try to figure out what it means.

3. Feature: California Activists Look for Triple Play in November

"Lowest law enforcement priority" marijuana initiatives are on the ballot in three California cities, and organizers say the prospects for victory look good.

4. Callout: Please Submit Blog Posts, News and Events on New DRCNet Web Site!

Our new web site has many new interactive features...

5. Announcement: New Format for the Reformer's Calendar

Visit our new web site each day to see a running countdown to the events coming up the soonest, and more.

6. Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

The rotten odor of drug war-related police corruption wafts across Tennessee from the banks of the Mississippi to the hazy hills of the Great Smoky Mountains, and that's just half of our corrupt cops this week.

7. Sentencing: US 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals Throws out Crack Cocaine Sentence

A federal appeals court has thrown out a long crack cocaine sentence, saying the sentencing guidelines that call for tougher sentences for crack than cocaine are no longer mandatory, but only advisory since last year's US Supreme Court ruling in Booker.

8. ONDCP: Senate Panel Recommends Cutting Salaries at Drug Czar's Office

In a heads-up to drug czar John Walters, a Senate panel has voted to slash funding for salaries and expenses at his office by more than half.

9. Marijuana: Texas Gubernatorial Candidate Kinky Friedman Says Legalize It

One Texas gubernatorial candidate wants to legalize marijuana. Is anyone surprised that candidate is Kinky Friedman?

10. Europe: Portugal Approves Safe Injection Sites, Moves to Start Prison Needle Exchange Programs

Portugal continues down a progressive path toward harm reduction with moves to open a safe injection site and establish a needle exchange program in the prisons.

11. Latin America: In Break With Campaign Promises, Peru's New Government Will Accelerate Coca Eradication

Peruvian President Alain Garcia campaigned on a promise to stop coca eradication. Now, he's changing his tune -- and his policies.

12. Latin America: In Southern Colombia, It's Aid Out, Soldiers In

US AID is pulling out of southern Colombia and the Colombian army is rolling in, as Washington and Bogota give up on the province of Caqueta.

13. Weekly: This Week in History

Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.

14. Latin America: Colombia's FARC Guerrillas Say End Drug Prohibition

In an unusual communique, Colombia's leftist FARC guerrillas called for the global legalization of drugs.

15. Job Opportunities: Three Positions at Drug Policy Alliance

DPA's Washington, DC office is hiring a Deputy Director of National Affairs, a Legislative Assistant, and a part-time Office Manager/Receptionist.

16. Job Opportunities: Marijuana Policy Project, DC & LA

Positions include an Assistant Director of Communications in Washington and a Director of VIP Relations in LA.

17. Errata: Will the Real UISCE Please Stand Up?

Getting the right acronymic organization is sometimes difficult.

Permission to Reprint: This issue of Drug War Chronicle is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license. Articles of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.