Drug War Chronicle #714 - December 22, 2011
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US Prison Population in First Decline Since 1972
The number of people in prison in the US has dropped for the first time since 1972, and the number of people under correctional supervision has declined for the second year in a row. Is a sea change at hand?
Congress Votes to Restore Needle Exchange Funding Ban
Ignoring strong evidence that needle exchange programs prevent the spread of AIDS and other blood-borne diseases, the US Congress has decided to ban the use of federal funds for them.
Afghan police guard the Iranian Embassy during January 2011 protests against Iranian executions of Afghans (wikimedia.org
Amnesty International Condemns Iran Drug Executions
Iran is executing hundreds of drug offenders, and that violates international law, says Amnesty International in a new report condemning the killings.
Gary Johnson to Seek Libertarian Presidential Nomination
Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson is set to give up on the Republicans and seek the Libertarian Party presidential nomination, Politico.com is reporting.
Medical Marijuana Update
More restrictions on medical marijuana, more California dispensaries close, more Montana dispensary operators head for federal prison, and California activists file an initiative to regulate and tax the industry at the state level.
Mexico Drug War Update
2011 is wrapping up as slightly less bloody than 2010 in Mexico's plague of prohibition-related violence, but the death toll this year is still well above 10,000.
This pill bottle fulls of opiate pain pills could get you 20 years or more in North Carolina. (wikimedia.org)
North Carolina Opium Law Snares Small Prescription Pain Pill Holders
A North Carolina law aimed at heroin traffickers is rolling up people with pain pills and sending them to prison for a long, long time.
Montreal Agency Calls for Four Safe Injection Sites
Montreal wants four safe injection sites for hard drug users. The city's public health agency and mayor have given the okay, but now they need provincial funding and federal approval.
This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories
There's big problems in the Nassau County, Florida, sheriff's office, and more drug prohibition-related police misconduct as well.
This Week in History
Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.
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