Working to end drug war injustice!

Vol. 10 No. 1 Razor Wire Summer 2007

CONTENTS: UnitedUnited StatesStates SocialSocial ForumForum • Director’s Message — Page 2 AnotherAnother WorldWorld IsIs PossiblePossible • Propaganda, Pimping Or Sloppy Journalism? — Page 3 • In Memoriam — Page 4

Toons by Paey Toons by Paey Toons by Paey • Guilty Pleas Only Beginning In Aftermath Of Killing Of 92-Year- Old — Page 5 • ION Detectors: Drug Tests Or Barriers To Visitation? — Page 6

Wheelchair bound and in constant pain, Richard Paey continues to serve his 25-year prison sentence for “illegal prescriptions.” The Florida Supreme Court • The Libby Commutation — Page 6 announced in March that it will not hear Richard’s appeal. His attorney says there are only two options left for Richard’s freedom: the pending clemency request before Gov. Charlie Crist, and an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. As of June 2007, The Florida Parole Commission has recommended that Gov. • November Coalition Marks Crist consider Paey's clemency petition. (For more info, see www.november.org/cartoons) Decade Of Struggle — Page 7 • I Got Published! — Page 9 • Eye On Congress — Page 10 • Bush Admin Plans To Re-Impose Mandatory Minimums — Page 11 • Nation’s Mayors Call For New

NONPROFIT Drug Policy — Page 11

SPOKANE, WA

PERMIT NO. 91 NO. PERMIT

ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID U.S. POSTAGE • No New Prisons.org — Page 12 • The Drug War - It’s Prisons, Poisons And Enviromental What is The Racism — Page 12 • I Just Came Back From A War — November Coalition? Page 14 • Editor’s Notes — Page 15 he November Coalition was founded in 1997 as a non-profit, grassroots organization with a mission to raise awareness • In The News — Page 16 in individuals and communities about the spiraling increase in • Chavez Aids Bolivia With Coca numbers of imprisoned in the United States due to drug-law Leaf Plan — Page 17 enforcement. • Brief Overview Of Anti-Snitch We arouse and activate fellow taxpayers about existing and Conference In Atlanta — Page 18 impending dangers of an overly powerful federal government acting beyond constitutional constraints. We counsel victims of • Law Library — Page 19 this peculiar ‘war,’ most of whom were minor participants, and • Teaching Addicts To Stay Alive — warn our fellow citizens of the steady erosion of civil liberties, Page 20 human rights and personal freedoms allowed by federal and state authorities. • I Know: Let’s Really Scare Kids Coalition members and supporters are convinced that the War About Drugs! — Page 21 on Drugs does nothing but stimulate an ever more profitable and • Mail Call — Page 21 violent underground economy. The intent of any law should create • The Wall — Page 22 a safer country and safer world, not one more costly and less

(509) 684-1550 • www.november.org free. 99114 Astor • Colville, WA 282 West • Upcoming Events — Page 23 Visit us on the web at www.november.org.

November Coalition Foundation

PAGE 24 www.november.org November Coalition - The Razor Wire November Coalition - The Razor Wire www.november.org PAGE 1 Community Centre, 601 Keefer Street, A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Upcoming Vancouver, BC, Canada. For more info & to How to communicate with RSVP, contact Dave Diewert at The November Coalition Events [email protected] • Letters: We receive lots of mail. Rest By Nora Callahan assured that we read every one of them, September 22, 2007, Huntington Beach, but we simply don’t have the time or staff to actually respond to more than a few. CA. OCNORML / November Coalition Curbside • Legal cases: We cannot offer you Rally, 1:30- 5:00 PM at the Huntington Beach August 5-6, 2007, Spokane, WA. legal representation or advice. Please do Another World Is Possible Pier, 315 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington not send us your legal work unless SpoCannabis Festival. For more info, see Beach, CA. For more info, contact specifically requested. Another U.S. Is Necessary www.spocannabis.com • Prisoner profiles (The WALL): [email protected] or see www.ocnorml.org Please continue to submit your stories, but August 8, 2007, New York City. Drop the if at all possible, send pictures with them, region, law enforcement officials have been October 3-6, 2007, Philadelphia, PA. Arts preferably of a prison visit with your loved Rock Meeting, 6:30 PM at the Correctional talking about a 4,500 bed prison facility, and In Criminal Justice Conference, sponsored by ones. Stories should be concise, factual, Association, 135 E. 15th Street), New York City. and include personal background such as planning it over a drinking water source already the Nathan Cummings Foundation; hosted by For more info, contact age, family status etc. Although The quickly diminishing. Prisons are a mass of Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program. November November Coalition staff endeavors to [email protected] or Coalition staff will attend. For more info, contact verify the accuracy of WALL stories, written humanity planted in a small space that use up see www.droptherock.org [email protected] or 215-685-0759 by the prisoners themselves, we assume a lot of water and output a lot of sometimes no responsibility for their content. or see www.artsincriminaljustice.org very dangerous chemicals, because, very often, August 10-11, 2007, Dubuque, IA. Swords Credentialed media can be provided with factories are attached to prisons these days. Into Plowshares: Anarchism, Christianity And documentation and family contacts if they October 5-6, 2007, Cologne, Germany. wish to research a story. To do so, please People that are concerned about water have Principles Of Peace, the 2007 Conference of Teresa Aviles and Nora Callahan at the IACM 4th Conference on Cannabinoids in contact [email protected]. 2007 US Social Forum to be concerned about a growing prison Jesus Radicals. Featuring Fr. Tom Hereford of • Articles for Razor Wire & Internet: Medicine, at the Holiday Inn, Dürener Strasse industrial complex. November Coalition. At Loras College, Editorials should be no more than 800 287, 50935 Cologne, Germany. For more info, t’s been a spring and summer of lots of travel “The war on drugs also has connects to our Dubuque, IA. For more info, contact words; articles no more than 1,200 words. contact Franjo Grotenhermen, Rueckertstrasse Submitted items should be typed & double to more places than there is room to detail, food security. Yesterday, we learned about [email protected] or see 4, 53819 Neunkirchen, Germany / Phone: +49- spaced, or neatly printed by hand if you and more events and community groups are companies like Monsanto™ , who have seeds www.conference.jesusradicals.com don’t have access to a typewriter. Please 2247-968083 / Fax: +49-2247-9159223 or see on my own schedule this season through the that sell and people are not allowed to save limit the use of bold, italics, underline, or www.iacm-conference2007.org other special formatting. next. The first ever United States Social Forum Monsanto™ seed. We learned that the new Iraq August 11- 14, 2007, Williamsburg, VA. • Artwork: We need your cartoons and 26th Annual International Society for Individual was held at the end of June in Atlanta, GA. constitution our government helped write October 6-7, 2007, Madison, WI. 37th sketches, please! Let your creativity and Liberty (ISIL) World Conference, featuring Jerry imagination run wild. Aaron Dixon, Teresa Aviles, and Father Tom forbids people, farmers and gardners, to save Great Midwest Marijuana Harvest Festival. Cameron of Law Enforcement Against • Donations: We will gladly accept Hereford attended along with Chuck Armsbury and own their own seeds. The connects we see Sponsored by Madison NORML, Wisconsin Prohibition (LEAP). For more info, visit the postage stamps from prisoners and others, and me. Many allied groups were represented. in the drug war is that some plants and seeds NORML, Is My Medicine Legal YET?, University as well as monetary donations. World Conference page at www.isil.org I explained November Coalition’s the governments have deemed illegal. The of Wisconsin-Madison Students for Sensible understanding of this historic gathering in an government then in effect owns the plants. They Drug Policy (SSDP), the Drug Policy Forum of August 18-19, 2007, Seattle, WA. Seattle interview with the DrugTruth Network, might allow pharmaceutical companies to Wisconsin and Weedstock.com. For more info, HempFest. For more info, see (www.drugtruth.net) during the forum: oversee some grown and harvesting, but see www.madisonnorml.org www.hempfest.org “This conference is different from many in ordinary people worldwide are now restricted October 12-13, 2007, Hollywood, CA. that there are a lot of issues. Social Justice from growing their own foods and medicines. August 25, 2007, San Clemente, CA. NORML’s 36th Annual National Conference: Forum simply means people who have been “Mostly, people at this Social Justice Forum OCNORML / November Coalition Curbside “Cannabis, Creativity and Commerce”, at the affected by terrible policies all over the globe this year find the thread of common oppression Rally, 1:30- 5:00 PM at San Clemente Pier, Sheraton Universal Hotel, 333 Universal have come together to share our mutual boils down to greed —the idea that a few people Avenida Del Mar & Avenida Victoria, San Hollywood Drive, Universal City, CA. For more concerns and develop strategies that will bring would get rich by creating policies that Clemente, CA. For more info, contact 282 West Astor • Colville, WA 99114 info, see www.norml.org/ us out from under so much oppression. And devastate thousands of thousands of people [email protected] or see www.ocnorml.org Voice & Fax: (509) 684-1550 index.cfm?Group_ID=7250 there are all kinds of oppression. So, we have — those policies need to go. It feels good to be [email protected] www.November.org • www.OpenTheCan.org been attending workshops that are not with thousands of people who find common August 25-26, 2007, Olympia, WA. October 27, 2007, Laguna Beach, CA. Staff: Chuck Armsbury, Nora Callahan, necessarily about our particular focused issue ground in our various focused struggles. Olympia Hempfest, at Heritage Park in OCNORML / November Coalition Curbside Tom Murlowski of drug war injustice. We’ve attended downtown Olympia, WA. For more info, see “That is what this social forum has been Rally, 1:30- 5:00 PM at the Main Beach, Pacific Board of Directors: Teresa Aviles, Aaron Dixon, Nora www.olyhempfest.com workshops about water security. People might about — an exchange of ideas and inspirations. Coast Highway & Broadway, Laguna Beach, Callahan, Doug Hockin, Rachel Morton ask, what does that have to do with the war on We know that we’ll all go home to our respective CA. For more info, contact drugs? communities to struggle against what we feel September 1, 2007, Washington, DC. The Razor Wire is a supplemental [email protected] or see www.ocnorml.org communication to imprisoned members of “When we look at our common problems, are leaders and corporations who don’t care “How Music Helped Me Escape from Prison”, 7:00 PM at the Kennedy Center for the the November Coalition. Published twice a we have corporations that make extreme about our futures, but take everything they can November 24, 2007, Huntington Beach, Performing Arts, 2700 F Street, NW, year, we notify members of special projects amounts of profit on people who have to suffer now. Prisons are part of that. If they cared about CA. OCNORML / November Coalition Curbside and progress, maintaining a daily updated Washington, DC. Presented by Prison Art from the policies the companies promote — our futures would we be building cages for our Rally, 1:30- 5:00 PM at the Huntington Beach website at www.november.org. Join Gallery and The Prisons Foundation. For more mostly to our U.S. Congress — via lots of youth? Pier, 315 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington thousands that visit us online for up-to- the- info, contact 202-393-1511 or money to make laws that will benefit them. “Our website is located at Beach, CA. For more info, contact minute drug war reports and instructions on [email protected], or see how they can help end the failed war on “When we look at water issues, the connect www.november.org, where the public can read [email protected] or see www.ocnorml.org www.prisonsfoundation.org drugs. Support people working to end drug is — most new prisons in the United States are hundreds of stories about how drug war war injustice with a donation and December 5-8, 2007, New Orleans, LA. being built in rural areas. And they are built near injustice has impacted human beings in our September 15, 2007, Boston, MA. 18th membership in November Coalition today. 2007 International Drug Policy Reform fragile aquifers. We take a stack of human country and around the world.. The hope of the Annual Boston Freedom Rally, Hosted by Conference, hosted by the Drug Policy Alliance. To join The November Coalition beings and put them over a fragile water source. future is the presence of so many young people MassCann. For more info, see and receive this newspaper, At the Astor Crowne Plaza, 739 Canal at We’ve learned to call this unsustainable human who are determined to build a better world.” www.masscann.org see membership form on page 22. density. So as we meet people concerned with In Struggle, Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA. November Coalition staff will attend. For more info, contact IF YOU OWN OR OPERATE A RETAIL STORE, OR DO water supply and quality, we make them aware September 18, 2007, Vancouver, BC, Stefanie Jones at [email protected] or COMMUNITY ACTIVISM, CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR that in rural areas of the U.S., many of the Canada. Beyond Prohibition Coalition INFO ABOUT BULK DISTRIBUTION. For more pictures from the United visit http://conference.drugpolicy.org resources are becoming new assets. In our States Social Forum, see page 4 Workshop, 6:00 - 9:00 PM at the Strathcona

PAGE 2 www.november.org November Coalition - The Razor Wire November Coalition - The Razor Wire www.november.org PAGE 23 The WALL Propaganda, Pimping Or Sloppy Journalism? Informant Urged Support The Black Press Sandra Hendrix Suspect To Sell Him BY EDREA DAVIS, AUTHOR OF SNITCHCRAFT n July 26, 2000 I was sentenced to 71 years in prison — 11 years of that to run More Drugs The rapper rhymes about a snitch system long before hip-hop entrepreneurs concurrent — meaning a final total of 60 years Part 1: The Message criminal who “was looking at 30 started making money off the stop-snitching confinement. key witness in a Florida drug case, For the past few months but only did 10.” The song goes slogan. My story begins with a close friend who was Stephen Wilkinson, was free on bail mainstream media has hyped the on, “streets know the deals you Although 60 Minutes could not cover all of facing habitual theft charges in Indiana, and to after being arrested on drug distribution charges “Stop Snitchin” slogan, giving it a made with the pen.” these issues, they could have presented a more avoid prosecution told police that I was a big- when he met defendant Brandon Erwin and life — and definition — of its own. I suffered through the foul balanced story. With minimal research the time, illegal drug supplier in Toledo, Ohio, and others in a Tampa, FL night club, and told law A story on CBS News’ 60 Minutes language of Obie Trice f/Akon, producers could have found an articulate expert that I had been his dealer for eight years. In enforcement he could provide information about presented a one-dimensional “Snitch.” When the first word in on hip-hop culture like rapper Mos Def or Davey reality, I had been nothing more than a friend drug dealing in the club. Wilkinson testified he view of snitching that appears to the song was “convict,” I knew it D, a journalist who has written on the issue. An to him. was trying to find a way to provide “substantial be part of an ongoing was more talk about criminals. intelligent spokesperson would have taken that I had ‘been there’ for him through his earlier assistance” to authorities in order to receive propaganda campaign designed Sandra with her family The song says, “started out as a crew who shining moment to expose the corrupt snitch 4-year prison term, writing letters, sending more lenient treatment in his own case. to hold hip-hop culture accountable for the woulda known he would fold and cower.” system, and, most importantly, change the money and accepting his collect phone-calls. I He was facing a minimum of 15 years behind dysfunctional criminal justice system, and divert A few clicks later I was on sohh.com watching direction and perception of hip-hop overall. also opened my home to him, including him as My family is slowly and painfully falling apart. bars and, after his cooperation, wound up with the public’s attention from the real problems in an interview with rapper, actor and one of the Instead, 60 Minutes empowered an irresponsible part of my family. Both of my parents have been gone for many a year of probation, he said under cross- America. pioneers of hip-hop, Ice-T. He said, “Snitching rapper to make ignorant, harmful comments. Coupling promises of marriage with an years. My children’s’ father is also deceased, examination from defense attorney Rachel May. Whether it’s propaganda, pimping, or simply is not telling on somebody doing something engagement ring placed on my hand, he played and with the head of the household incarcerated “Kind of hit a home run, huh?” May sloppy journalism, the story “Stop Snitchin” was Part 2: We Killed The wrong in the ‘hood. It’s when you and your on decision making problems I was having as — where now can they turn? remarked. biased and inaccurate. A cursory review of the partner are involved in a crime and get caught Messenger an addict — begging and pleading constantly I led a productive and fruitful life for almost Under questioning from May, Wilkinson said facts reinforces the urgent need to resurrect the and you tell on your partner. That’s snitching.” Assuming the stop snitching movement, as until he finally had me feeling guilty. I bought ten years despite battling daily with drug he signed an agreement with a state prosecutor black press as an authentic voice and If I was able to find the meaning of snitching mainstream media reports it, is a hoax; the and delivered drugs to Indiana. He had the addiction. I believe in my heart that if my family that required him to provide information to help trustworthy news source capable of dispelling in less than ten clicks of my mouse, I think it’s question would be, why do black people police agents waiting on my arrival. were not black and low income, unable to afford in the prosecution of a particular level of crime. the latest stereotypes. safe to assume that 60 Minutes, a national news passively embrace and accept any message Needless to say, under current snitch good legal counsel, I would have done better Under his plea agreement, he was to receive a In the black community it is commonly program with a budget and research staff, is sent by a mainstream messenger? Black people sentencing allowances, he received a letter at trial and received a more balanced sentence. three-year prison sentence, but if he assisted understood that a snitch is a crafty criminal who aware of the nature and definition of snitching are quick to jump on the bandwagon without from the prosecutor telling him that all the I can’t bring myself to accept that my in bringing another case that could get someone negotiates a deal for himself by telling on others. and had no interest in being fair and accurate. doing research, or asking someone more charges against him were dropped as a result grandchildren will grow up without me, or that I a potential sentence of at least 15 years, he Since the days of slavery, providing information A quick look at pertinent information absent knowledgeable. Anderson Cooper said it on 60 of my conviction. will die in prison. On July 1, 2001, less than a could have two years shaved off that to authorities to gain favor has been viewed from the story is further evidence that it was Minutes, so we agree. Much like back in the day I’m an almost-50-year-old mother of five and year after my sentencing, Indiana’s drug laws recommendation. negatively. Judas would be considered a snitch propaganda. For instance, 60 Minutes neglected when the master had the flu, WE were sick. grandmother of 14. I adopted three of the were changed, now allowing alternative Wilkinson testified Erwin initially offered him primarily because he was one of the disciples, to mention that there was honor among thieves Black people complain about mainstream grandchildren I’ve raised since birth — Amanee sentencing options for drug dealers and smaller quantities of drugs than he purchased, one of the crew. long before hip-hop. Dishonest elected officials, media defining our values and creating leaders (10), Zafir (9) and Frank (17). Zafir was born treatment for addicts. Meanwhile, and with no but he asked for larger amounts at the direction But, according to the 60 Minutes story, corporate executives, and even the “Boys in by giving voice to a chosen few. Our ancestors with brain damage and is a special needs child. retroactivity allowed, this grandma is serving of Drug Enforcement Administration Agent Scott witnesses and concerned citizens are now Blue” have adhered to a didn’t get mad or complain; they got even. They As a result of my absence, Zafir has become the rest of her life in prison, on an open-ended Albrecht. Under federal law, sentences for drug considered snitches. The report indicated that don’t snitch mantra over created black violent, causing serious harm to other children. search for a way out. trafficking are enhanced when larger amounts people of all ages in the black community, even the years. publications as good, or I was the only ‘real mother’ he knew, and Please write me: of drugs are involved. children, are abiding by this so-called code-of- better, than their Furthermore, where IF I WAS ABLE TO FIND THE being torn out of his life has made his condition Sandra M Hendrix 102312 “Have you ever heard of sentencing silence out of fear of retaliation. A related story, mainstream are the statistics to prove MEANING OF SNITCHING IN LESS THAN worse. My two sons are raising the three Rockville Corr. Facility entrapment?” May asked Wilkinson. “A Conspiracy Of Silence, CBS News counterparts. Black the low clearance rate is TEN CLICKS OF MY MOUSE, I THINK youngest children; so between both 811 West 50 North “No,” Wilkinson responded. Investigates: Epidemic Of Witness Intimidation newspapers were due to this epidemic? IT’S SAFE TO ASSUME THAT 60 households, they support ten children. Rockville, IN 47872 Source: Tampa Tribune Plagues Justice System” aired a week after the packed with thoughtful How many of the crimes MINUTES, A NATIONAL NEWS “Stop Snitchin” show. information aimed to solved were due to PROGRAM WITH A BUDGET AND While it is true that blacks and other minorities educate, inspire, and ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES THE RAZOR WIRE “suburban” people RESEARCH STAFF, IS AWARE OF THE have a history of strained relationships with the empower the black assisting the police? NATURE AND DEFINITION OF NEWSPAPER AND OTHER SPECIAL NOTICES Count Me In! police, concerned citizens routinely complain community. These Since hip-hop is credited SNITCHING AND HAD NO INTEREST IN about crack houses, slow response times and a political Bibles were with fueling this epidemic BEING FAIR AND ACCURATE. Working to end drug war injustice lack of police patrols in inner-city neighborhoods. passed through the Black people also serve as witnesses and jurors. and white, suburban My Contact Information (non-prisoner): Do you have a loved one in prison? youth are the major neighborhood and Name ______I want to sponsor my imprisoned loved one's membership and Instead of displaying outrage at the looked upon as the have enclosed an additional $6.00. suggestion that hip-hop culture has convinced consumers of hip-hop; Address ______I am a prisoner. I have enclosed at least $6.00 (money order or sacred key to law-abiding “inner-city residents” to participate how does the code-of-silence impact their City ______stamps), or made arrangements for payment. overcoming oppressive conditions. People in a conspiracy against the justice system, many community? How can any responsible journalist State ______Zip +4 ______Name ______eagerly awaited their weekly messages from uninformed black people believe and perpetuate do a story on how black people relate to the Phone ______Registration Number ______respected writers like Fredrick Douglas, W.E.B. this propaganda before checking the source and police without mentioning the pandemic of police Email ______Prison ______DuBois, and Ida B. Wells. motives of the messenger. brutality and misconduct cases across the Annual Dues: $30 • Students: $15 • Prisoners: $6 Address ______country? With the international media attention Similar to the impact integration had on black City ______Since I’m from the “P-Funk” era, I went to schools, once mainstream newspapers included I don't know a prisoner, but I will sponsor one. surrounding the snitch involved in the police State ______Zip +4 ______allhiphop.com, thuglifearmy.com and stories related to the black experience, African- I have enclosed an additional $6.00 eurweb.com to see what the hip-hop generation killing of 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston, how can The November Coalition they produce a story on snitching without Americans abandoned the black press. Unlike Total Enclosed: $______had to say. Amazingly, about 85% of the posts I other minorities, as soon as blacks are accepted 282 West Astor • Colville, WA 99114 read supported the classic definition of snitching. mentioning problems related to dishonest TNC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your gift or donation is tax deductible. into mainstream they tend to dump their Voice & Fax: (509) 684-1550 • Web: www.november.org I listened to Chamillionaire’s song “No Snitchin.” snitches? Also omitted was the fact that activists have been working to dismantle the corrupt CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE PAGE 22 www.november.org November Coalition - The Razor Wire November Coalition - The Razor Wire www.november.org PAGE 3 PROPOGANDA ... CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 I Know – Let’s Really Scare Kids About Drugs! traditional institutions. Don’t get me wrong, we In Memoriam BY STANTON PEELE should embrace diversity in mainstream media e honor and remember Dr. Tod Mikuriya, who died at age 73 on and applaud the outstanding work of black May 21, 2007. Dr. Mikuriya was a prominent psychiatrist and n an episode of South Park (“My Future Self The government agency charged with drama of such messages turn children off, so journalists and broadcasters fighting for fair advocate for the legal and medical use of marijuana. After a short 1960’s n’ Me”), Stan’s parents hire Motivation Corp. research and science concerning drugs — the that they reject anti-drug warnings entirely. coverage on the inside. However, the beloved career with the federal government, he practiced psychiatry in California to discourage Stan from using drugs. The Corp. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) — I witnessed several network and cable news community desperately needs the black press and helped create and coordinate cannabis buyers’ clubs in the San employs an actor to come to live with Stan’s commissioned a study of the effectiveness of shows on which the developers of the current to separate news from propaganda and fact from Francisco Bay Area. In 2000 he founded the California Cannabis Research family. The actor pretends to be Stan in the this campaign over the period from September campaign in Montana were interviewed. The fiction. Medical Group. future after he has 1999 through June 2003. The programs were all highly favorable to the media The Black community is plagued by serious Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, local, anti-Japanese bigots chased ruined his life by study found the campaign backgrounds of these men. On no program that social and economic problems. In the midst of a him like a dog, he wrote, teaching him early in life how propaganda can train people to hate. As taking drugs and had no effect on children, I saw was a drug prevention researcher YEARS OF SYSTEMATIC presidential election cycle we must let America a marijuana advocate, Dr. Mikuriya used that understanding to help persecuted people fight back drinking. Now that’s although parents were highly interviewed. RESEARCH HAVE REPEATEDLY know that we refuse to accept propaganda against the drug’s demonization. He fought the good fight for many years, and everyone who an anti-drug program! favorable towards it. If only they would have asked me to FOUND THAT INTENSELY NEGATIVE spoon fed to us by mainstream media. Let wants drug policy to be based on reality, not propaganda, mourns his passing. Watch out — The study found participate! I would have asked, “Did you and ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES ARE advertisers know that if they want to send us a Sister Rita Steinhagen (1928-2006) is remembered as a steadfast advocate Motivation Corp. may something even more your colleagues examine the research on the INEFFECTIVE, AND ANY CHANGES message about our issues, do so through OUR for the poor and downtrodden. She established houses for runaway youth, be coming near you surprising: “There were no effectiveness of drug prevention programs and MEASURED IN RESPONSE TO THEM media. Let’s put them on notice that we will and is a founder of Hope Community, a model of inner city renewal in soon. In March of significant reductions in media campaigns?” Imagine if they answered ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE IN THE depend on black publishers and broadcasters Minneapolis. 2006, a group of marijuana use either leading “no” — the only answer I could anticipate. What DIRECTION OF GREATER DRUG USE. who have sacrificed and struggled to exist, to She joined with thousands of people demanding closure of the terrorist- television ads to up to or after the marijuana arrogance and disrespect for research and the be the gatekeepers of our information. training School of Americas in Georgia (USA), and in 1997 she served a six- counter Montana’s campaign for youth 12 to 18 children the ads are supposed to reach! Knowledge is a commodity. Support the month prison sentence at FCI Pekin for trespassing on the School’s Ft. Benning growing years old between 2002 and Now that’s a news story — a highly funded, creators of that product. Lift up TV One, base. Sister Rita was recognized worldwide for her contributions to social methamphetamine 2003. Indeed there was popular, and critically acclaimed program BlackAmericaweb, and BlackPressUSA. Pick up justice. In November Coalition’s early years Rita encouraged Nora Callahan problem were launched. Aimed at children 12- evidence for an increase in past month and past initiated with much media ballyhoo causes drug the phone today and buy a subscription to your through long hours, day and night, of letter writing to prisoners of the drug 17 years old, the ads present horrifying pictures year use among the target audience of 14- to use. local black newspaper. If you advertise, include war. of what happens to kids who use drugs. 16-year-olds.” (Editor — Stanton Peele is a psychologist black media in your advertising plan. For those Share Parker (1951-2007) will be remembered fondly by her many According to one publication, “Finally, Actually, years of systematic research have whose work has appeared in previous Razor surfing the net and enjoying thought-provoking friends who annually organize Seattle Hempfest. For years a Hempfest someone in the ads production business has repeatedly found that intensely negative anti- Wires, a man who has changed the addiction writers like Faye Anderson, Anderson@large, core-volunteer, Share served also as treasurer. Born in Germany, Share come through with a campaign that not only drug messages are ineffective, and any field. He has pioneered, among other things, Lucius Gantt, Dogonvillage.com or Bruce Dixon traveled the world extensively but settled in the mountains of northeastern fulfills the goal of reaching their target audience, changes measured in response to them are the idea that addiction occurs within a range of at Blackagendareport.com, purchase something Washington State by 1983. but also leaves an indelible impression on more likely to be in the direction of greater drug experiences, and the “harm reduction” at their site, donate, or just click on a google ad Share helped found The Herbivores, a rockin’ reggae band headlined anyone who views what they have produced.” use. The mechanism to account for this approach to addiction. This 2006 article and and give them a penny. annually at Hempfest. Before crowds of thousands, she played bass and (See these ads at www.montanameth.org.) “rebound” effect is that the exaggerations and others can be found at www.peele.net.) The press is considered the Fourth Estate. sang with this very popular Pacific Northwest musical group. But there have been harrowing anti-drug ad They are the eyes and ears of the people, campaigns previously. In fact, they have rarely been absent from U.S. television. anointed to keep watch on the government. How to see me here at the prison. However, I believe she can people, oppressed for over 400 years, You may recall the famous egg and frying Mail just needs time. depend on our oppressors to be our eyes and pan ad, “This is your brain on drugs. Any I am interested in trying to get something started ears? questions?” This was created as part of a series in Maine where I’m from and where my children live. Edrea Davis is a communications consultant begun in 1987 by the Partnership for a Drug- Call Something like the “In Arms Reach” Program with NFL Legend Carl Banks and Terrence Stevens (RW, and author of “SnitchCraft,” a novel about a Free America — a non-profit coalition of summer 2006) who increase public awareness of nightclub owner set-up by a dishonest snitch. advertising, media, and public relations what children go through because of an incarcerated Reach her at [email protected] or professionals. The Partnership was given $200 Dear November Coalition: parent. see www.snitchcraft.com. Her grandsons, DeJai, million annually by the federal government. Thanks for your help with Drug Prohibition Just because I have a 30-year sentence does not Awareness Month in January 2007 at the Winston- mean that I cannot support my children. I need help Diarran and DeKwam Davis, are pictured on our Media outlets contributed over $3 billion in free Salem (NC) Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship. It was with information about how to go about this, and any cover at the Auburn Avenue Festival, held in the Activist and Hip-Hop Artist Davey D (right) television time, making it the largest and most a great success! guidance would be appreciated deeply. interviews a workshop leader historic Martin Luther King district in Atlanta, GA. expensive anti-drug campaign ever. Enclosed are two sheets of petitioners for your Sincerely, Willard J. Allen However, the Institute for Social Research’s files. We also distributed almost all copies of the Razor (I emailed your letter to In Arms Reach. Other United States Social Forum Wire that you sent. groups may respond to your concerns and goal for tracking study of teen drug use discovered that We fielded answers to all sorts of questions about Maine after reading your plea here - ed.) ur friend and reform colleague, Virginia Another World Is Possible despite their enormous exposure to such anti- drug prohibition, especially the injustice created by Resner, battles cancer in a California Another US Is Necessary drug ads beginning in 1991, adolescents’ policies based on religious dogma, not medical Hello Coalition, hospice. Close friends are with her daily, perceived risk of using drugs declined and drug science. UU’s can understand the issue when framed In the last Razor Wire issue, winter 06/07, I use rose sharply. Support for the Partnership in those terms. noted several references to the “Drug War Chronicle.” and if you care to or you have met Virginia, Best of luck with your endeavors. If you are in the Is that a newsletter or magazine? Please send please take time to send her a loving message. predictably waned. Winston-Salem area, please do not hesitate to contact information on it. Keep up the great work. Every time In 2001 Virginia was given the Drug Policy To counteract the growth in drug use, in me. I get the Razor Wire it’s an uplifting experience! Alliance’s Robert 1998 Bill Clinton and his drug czar, General For Justice and Peace, Jim Campbell, MD Thanks, Jay Smith Barry McCaffrey, announced a five-year, $2 (Sorry, Jay, but The Drug War Chronicle is an Randall Award, Dear November Coalition: electronic newsletter only, published online weekly honoring her grassroots’ billion ad campaign. According to the Christian My name is Willard Allen, I thank you for at www.stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle - ed.) work to help end the war Science Monitor, “ It’s the largest media blitz expressing concern about my case and the on drugs. Write Virginia ever undertaken by the federal information contained in the Razor Wire, Summer I’m homeless right now as a result of the “war on government. And antidrug ads like these will 2006, that you sent. Please keep me on your mailing drugs” and would love to be a member but barely at: list to receive updates and more Razor Wires. I am have enough for food because of high bails, lawyers, Virginia Resner, be hard to forget.” currently working in the kitchen here at FMC Devens etc. Can I still join somehow? c/o Mikki Norris They included bugs crawling all over a and make approximately 12 cents an hour, so I’m not Jenn in San Diego 1224 Richmond St. teenage boy (a hallucination presumably able to make a monetary donation at this time. (Hi Jenn, of course you can join! We’re pleased brought on by methamphetamines) and an ad Another reason I have decided to write is on behalf to sponsor you. I’m sending you a couple back issues El Cerrito, CA 94530 of my children, who are having a rough time dealing today. If you are interested and comfortable telling it, Teresa Aviles and Aaron Dixon depicting a girl demolishing her kitchen with a with my incarceration. Their mother doesn’t want them we’d also like to know more of your experience - ed.) frying pan.

PAGE 4 www.november.org November Coalition - The Razor Wire November Coalition - The Razor Wire www.november.org PAGE 21 Teaching Addicts To Stay Alive MAY 04, 2007 - DRUG WAR CHRONICLE (US) Death Toll Drops As Baltimore Instructs Inmates How To Deal With Overdoses Guilty Pleas Only The Beginning In Aftermath Of BY JONATHAN BOR, BALTIMORE SUN REPORTER Atlanta “Drug Raid” Killing Of 92-Year-Old tanding before 50 men dressed in red efforts on the city’s bustling outdoor drug overdose with an injection of Narcan, which can n May 3, two Atlanta narcotics officers manslaughter, with sentencing to be postponed have engaged in similar conduct.” jumpsuits, drug educator Nathan Fields markets. Though officials haven’t abandoned overcome the effects of heroin, OxyContin and pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges until after the federal investigation is complete. US Attorney David Nahmias said Johnston’s belted out the question of the hour: What that, they decided it also made sense to bring other opiates. “But the anti-overdose medicine in the shooting death of an elderly They face up to 10 years on the manslaughter death was “almost inevitable” because of such are the street remedies for a heroin overdose? the program into the detention center, where will do nothing to reverse the effects of a woman during a botched drug raid, but that is charge and up to life in prison on the federal widespread activity and vowed a far-reaching “Burn their fingertips,” said one inmate. an estimated two-thirds of inmates are addicted cocaine overdose,” said Fields. just the beginning in what looks to be an ever- civil rights charge. investigation into departmental practices. He “Walk them around,” cried another. “Put ice to heroin when they enter. The city joined a short The inmates came equipped with the expanding investigation into misconduct in the But the problems in the Atlanta narcotics said he expects to find other cases where on the genitals,” a voice rang out. list of jurisdictions around the country to do so. lessons of the street — only some of which were Atlanta narcotics squad. A federal investigation squad run deeper than one incident of officers lied or relied on bad information. “It’s a “Throw them in the backyard,” someone “It’s forward thinking to do this because it accurate. They correctly rattled off the signs and is already underway, and Rep. John Conyers misconduct. According to federal investigators, very ongoing investigation into just how wide said, eliciting a round of laughter. deals with the reality of where people are as symptoms of heroin overdose: blue extremities (D-MI), chair of the House Judiciary Committee, what the Atlanta narcs did during the botched the culture of misconduct extends,” Nahmias “Guess what?” shouted Fields, addressing opposed to where we want them to be when and slow or nonexistent breathing. But just as has called on Attorney General Alberto Johnston raid was business as usual. said. “We’ll dig until we can find whatever we a rapt audience of inmates. “All those street they get outside,” said Susan Sherman, an confidently, they recited street remedies that, Gonzales to launch a thorough investigation of “Junnier and other officers falsified affidavits can.” remedies are more dangerous than the epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg as Fields explained, could finish the job that issues raised by the case, including police for search warrants to be considered productive And now, House Judiciary Committee head overdose itself.” School of Public Health who played a leading heroin had started. misconduct, the use of confidential informants, officers and to meet APD’s performance Rep. Conyers wants to ensure that the feds dig Busting myths was a central point of the call- role in starting Staying Alive three years ago. An unconscious addict, for instance, could arrest quotas, and the credibility of police targets,” according to a federal exhibit released deep. In a letter released yesterday, Conyers and-response that recently engaged a group New Mexico was among the first states to drown in a cooling bath. An injection of salt officials. Thursday. “They believed that these ends told Attorney General Gonzales: of “street scholars” at the Baltimore City educate inmates about overdoses, establishing water could send a victim’s blood pressure Things began to unravel for the Atlanta “There are several key issues raised by the Detention Center. So was doing the right thing its “Blue Project” two years ago in the soaring. Holding a match to the fingertips, Police Department’s 16-man street narcotics Johnston case: police misconduct (falsifying — calling 911, performing rescue breathing and, Metropolitan Correction Center in Albuquerque. meant to jar the addict into consciousness, team on November 21, 2006 when three Atlanta information and excessive use of force); misuse when possible, injecting a dose of Narcan, an A nonprofit called Prevention Point Pittsburgh could produce burns severe enough to require narcs broke into the home of 92-year-old of confidential informants; potentially negative antidote that can reverse an addict’s downward began a similar effort in the Allegheny County amputation. Kathryn Johnston using a “no-knock” warrant impact of arrest quotas and performance spiral by blocking the brain’s opiate receptors. Jail. “And if I’m unconscious and you burn me, that claimed drug sales had taken place there. measures; and the integrity and credibility of For the last several weeks, the city health New Mexico hasn’t yet evaluated the impact what will I feel?” Fields asked the crowd. The elderly Johnston responded to the intruders law enforcement officials. We are particularly department has been holding a series of the program is having on overdose deaths. But “Nothing,” someone cried out. dressed in plain clothes by firing one shot from concerned about the misuse of confidential overdose prevention classes there, hoping to Bernie Lieving, the state’s harm reduction A better choice would be rescue breathing, an old pistol, which missed the officers. The informants. The reliability of confidential arm drug offenders with tools to save lives on coordinator, said he senses that the program a mouth-to-mouth technique that can keep an police responded with a barrage of bullets, firing informants used in narcotics cases is often the streets where most will return. “empowers people to feel like they’re able to unconscious addict alive until paramedics 39 shots, five or six of which hit Johnston, who compromised because they are cooperating The program is part of a larger effort to take care of themselves and each other.” He arrive. died shortly afterward. with law enforcement in order to extricate further reduce a death toll that for many years said he’s also encouraged that over half of the To demonstrate the technique, the teachers Since then, investigators have found that in themselves from criminal charges. The rivaled that of homicide in Baltimore. Between inmates have gotten prescriptions filled for positioned two mannequins on a table and the Johnston case: absence of corroboration requirements for 1999 and 2005, the last year for which figures Narcan. asked volunteers to step up. Don’t start the • The narcotics officers planted drugs to information obtained through confidential are available, the number of city residents dying In Maryland, the Maryland Department of rhythmic breathing, Fields told them, before arrest a suspected drug dealer, who in turn informants leaves room for abuse. All these of drug overdoses dropped by about a third, to Public Safety and Correctional Services invited making sure the person is truly unconscious. pointed them toward Johnston’s factors can have the effect of eroding public 218. That compares with about 270 homicides Staying Alive into the prisons. For several years, The forceful pressing of knuckles upon the residence. confidence in the criminal justice system. a year. the agency has been offering acupuncture, drug chest will rouse anyone who’s even slightly • The narcotics officers lied on their search “We are concerned that the Atlanta incident Nationally, the trend has been quite the education and counseling to a limited number awake without inflicting harm. warrant application, saying that a may be indicative of a systemic problem within opposite. Between 1999 and 2004, the number of offenders sentenced by the city’s drug court. “If he jumps up, that’s good,” said Fields. confidential informant had bought drugs the Atlanta Police Department. Additionally, we of overdose deaths rose 77 percent to almost In the recent class were 50 men sentenced As the class ended, two inmates who agreed at that address when that did not happen. Kathryn Johnston are disturbed that the actions of the Atlanta 20,000, according to the U.S. Centers for to six-week terms in a military-style barracks to be interviewed affirmed that the class • The narcotics officers lied on their search Police Department may be a reflection of Disease Control and Prevention. Accidental tucked within the hulking stone walls of the addressed issues with which they were warrant application, saying the house was conduct used in other jurisdictions throughout poisonings, of which overdoses were the largest downtown prison. Taught separately were 19 frighteningly familiar. occupied by a large man who employed justified their illegal ‘Fluffing’ or falsifying of this country. Significantly, the number of “no part, were second to automobile accidents as women housed elsewhere in the same low-lying Anthony Kerr, 35, said he once overdosed surveillance cameras. search warrants. Because they obtained search knock raids” has increased from three thousand a cause of death from unintentional injury. building. Over the course of a year, 650 male on a combination of heroin, Xanax and alcohol. • The narcotics officers planted marijuana warrants based on unreliable and false in 1981 to more than fifty thousand in 2005.” Nationally, the increase has been blamed on and female inmates pass through the He passed out in a friend’s apartment on a in Johnston’s basement after they shot her information, [the officers] had on occasion Former New Jersey narcotics officer and rising abuse of OxyContin and other narcotic alternative sentencing program. Thursday night, then awoke the following in order to bolster their case and impugn searched residences where there were no current head of Law Enforcement Against painkillers, as well as cocaine and sedatives. “If there’s anything we can do to educate Sunday in someone else’s basement. her reputation. drugs and the occupants were not drug Prohibition Jack Cole shares Conyers’ In Baltimore, where heroin remains the chief them not to die, that’s something we want to Kerr, who is from Edmondson Village, said • The narcotics officers asked another dealers.” concerns. “I think this kind of thing is going on culprit, officials credit the decline in overdose do,” said Gregory Warren, director of substance he learned that a friend had saved his life using confidential informant to lie for them after Cutting corners, though, can have serious across the country,” he told Drug War Chronicle. deaths to the expansion of drug treatment slots abuse treatment services for the Maryland a mouth-to-mouth technique that he had the fact and say he had bought drugs at consequences. As prosecutors noted, once the “If anyone really dug into this, you would find and to the city’s Staying Alive program. Department of Public Safety and Correctional learned in a college lifesaving course. He said Johnston’s residence. narcs had received a tip there were drugs at similar things in a lot of departments. It’s about Launched in 2004, the program teaches addicts Services. he was glad to see the technique explained to But that confidential informant, Alexis White, Johnston’s residence, Officer Junnier said they using a war on drugs metaphor. When you have to avoid overdosing themselves and to After enduring a period of forced withdrawal others. instead went to the feds with his story (and then could get a confidential informant to make a a war, you need an enemy, someone recognize and treat others in the throes of doing in prison, inmates can easily overdose if they “We’re all clean, which is a good thing,” said he went to Washington, DC, to talk to buy there to ensure there actually were drugs despicable, so you can do whatever you want so. return to drug use and assume they can tolerate Kerr. “We all have a goal. We’re on the same congressional leaders about snitching). The at that location. “Or not,” Smith allegedly to them,” he said. “We train our police to feel Overdose education is one of the latest the same heroin dose they took before. page.” fabric of lies woven by the Atlanta narcs rapidly responded. like they have to win at any cost because it’s a wrinkles in a philosophy of harm reduction — “If I’m away from drugs, my body actually Antonio Jones, 35, of Woodlawn said he unraveled. On May 2, three of them, Officers At a news conference last Thursday, FBI war.” others are needle exchange and methadone starts to repair itself,” said Fields. So while he hoped that the class would produce a ripple Gregg Junnier, Jason Smith, and Arthur Tesler, Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Greg Jones Maybe, just maybe, the federal investigation maintenance — which recognizes that some urged the inmates to stay drug-free, he also effect that would reach the streets. were indicted on numerous state charges, called the officers’ conduct “deplorable.” In an into the Atlanta narcs will morph into the kind people will never shake drugs but seeks to advised them to start slowly if they must start “It’s for me to have the information so I can including murder, as well as federal civil rights ominous addendum, Jones added that the of hearings on drug war policing that are long, minimize the damage of their addictions. at all. help someone else save a life,” he said. charges. The following day, Junnier and Smith agency will pursue “additional allegations of long overdue. If not, at least Kathryn Johnston Until recently, Staying Alive focused its Later, he explained how to save others from Source: Baltimore Sun, April 15, 2007 pleaded guilty to a state charge of corruption that other Atlanta police officers may has won a measure of justice.

PAGE 20 www.november.org November Coalition - The Razor Wire November Coalition - The Razor Wire www.november.org PAGE 5 ION Detectors: Drug Tests Or Barriers To Visitation? BY NORA CALLAHAN LAW LIBRARY n April, my 85 year old mother military industrial complex Please write or call the House and Senate — part blind, two hearing of evil corporations, Judiciary Committees and tell them your ION aids, two heart attacks and 17 circled my mother, detection non-visitation stories. years of drug war imprisonment keeping the guards at a House Judiciary Committee • 2138 of her only son, G. Patrick distance. Rayburn House Office Bldg. • Washington, DC Compassionate Release A ‘Dead Letter’? Callahan behind her — tested My sisters called me 20515 • (202)-225-3951 positive for illegal drugs at the with the sad news, and we Senate Committee on the Judiciary • 224 he U.S. Department of Justice and the statements on how the law’s prison visitation processing began the task of finding Dirksen Senate Office Bldg. • Washington, DC U.S. Sentencing Commission are at compassionate-release section should center at the federal prison in a reporter and TV news 20510 • Democratic Phone: (202) 224-7703 • loggerheads over a commission proposal to operate and what factors should be Seagoville, Texas. My sisters were processed, station. Bea Callahan, my mother, waited the Republican Phone: (202) 224-5225 expand the extraordinary circumstances that considered extraordinary and but my mother was too deaf to understand that required 72 hours until local TV news CW-TV make prisoners eligible for so-called compelling. she was being told to leave the federal premises 33 out of Dallas, TX was at the gates to record compassionate release or reduction in The Bureau of Prisons has entirely. She’s also too old to put up with much the events that unfolded. (To watch the sentence. interpreted the law narrowly, generally crap, and she dissolved emotionally. Hunched shocking video, visit www.november.org.) She The commission in early May sent Congress only approving motions for cases in over, with her head buried in her hands, she finally did get to see her son. a proposed sentencing guideline that, for the which a prisoner is terminally ill or sobbed and wandered alone into the fed Not just our family, but everyone needs to first time in 24 years, would give courts incapacitated by illness. The Justice parking lot. write and call legislative aides about strategies guidance on what should be considered Department warned last summer that She is sure that she will never see her son to stop this harassment of visitors, the needless extraordinary and compelling grounds for any expansion of current policy would again, and due to bad health and finances, it thousands of extra dollars it costs a family, and adjusting a sentence. be a “dead letter”. was her first visiting session in 8 years. the anger and depression that results from the The guideline broadens the grounds beyond Despite the department’s opposition, According to reports, prison officials told her gamut of prison policies gone bad. My mom current policy at the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the commission defines extraordinary to leave and, without my sister’s assistance, was able to visit for a last day to say goodbye, 85-year-old Bea Callahan breaks down on and comes at a time when the Justice and compelling reasons as: “… terminal she physically can’t. People, others rejected by but hundreds of people simply, “leave the Dallas TV news after being denied prison visitation with her son Department is in the final stage of approving a illness; a permanent physical or medical the same bogus ION detectors, sold by a premises entirely” and return home. regulation that narrows even further the current condition, or deteriorating physical or policy. mental health because of the aging process, extraordinary and compelling reason other than, The American Bar Association, Families that “substantially diminishes” the prisoner’s or in combination with, the reasons described”. The Libby Commutation Against Mandatory Minimums and other groups ability to provide self-care; the death or Since 1990, the Bureau of Prisons has filed had urged the commission for years to act on a incapacitation of the prisoner’s only family an average of only 22 sentence-reduction BY G. PATRICK CALLAHAN, PRISONER OF THE DRUG WAR mandate to the commission in the Sentencing member capable of caring for the prisoner’s motions each year despite a steadily increasing he chronic problem with federal effectively doubled my prison legislation making federal Reform Act of 1984. In that law, Congress minor child or minor children; or, as determined federal prison population. sentencing practices, and state sentence by adulterating the sentences tougher and less mandated that the commission issue policy by the Bureau of Prisons, there is an Source: National Law Journal sentencing schemes based upon the same burden of proof requirement — flexible. They could model, was driven home yet again by President thus becoming an scarcely be less flexible George Bush’s commutation of the sentence unconstitutional alloy of the than how they are now, and given to Lewis “Scooter” Libby, his trusted friend reasonable doubt and soon we may reach the Alva Mae Groves Vicki Rosepiler and associate. Libby received a 30-month preponderance of evidence point where any conviction prison sentence for “obstruction of justice” after standards. After this judicial for crime could put Sentenced To 25 Years Cancer Victim Serving 24 a jury trial and conviction for lying to federal piling-on, I was given a 27-year someone in prison for an At Age 72 Years agents. sentence. That was 18 years average 20 years. am now 86 years old and have received the longest sentence (292 The harshness of Libby’s 30-month ago. The odd fact of the been incarcerated since months) of anyone in my case. sentence was consistent, said federal The further irony in Libby’s matter is that George Bush 1994.Although I was charged with Although I pled guilty, I didn’t have prosecutors, with obstruction of justice case — a poisonous one to be is right for once: federal Drug Conspiracy, my real crime, any key information to trade for punishments across the country. I found this sure — is that President Bush G. Patrick Callahan sentencing is excessively according to today’s laws of betrayal, sentence reductions. In response to my grimly amusing because I also received a argued the same line many of harsh. Judges freely was refusing to testify against my 2255 motion, the magistrate stated, “the 2-level obstruction of justice “enhancement” — us in custody have stated for years. Such as: enhance sentences with so-called ‘relevant own children to receive a sentence first to squeal gets the deal.” folded into my drug sentence — that added five my sentence was too severe, that judges conduct’ tag-ons carrying far too much reduction. Of course I didn’t really In 2000, I was diagnosed with years to my time, exactly double what Mr. Libby shouldn’t be allowed to take account of facts punishment and guaranteeing destruction of understand all the talk about cancer. I was not able to receive Vicki (right) with her mom received. not proved to a jury, that a defendant’s positive family ties. enhancements, acceptance of responsibility, and so on, that had to do treatment for 6 months, so the cancer Unlike Mr. Libby, I was never indicted for contributions to society are ignored, that his Federal prosecutors are bemoaning the with my sentencing. But I did understand that since I wouldn’t turn against spread to other areas and I was eventually flown to the federal medical obstruction of justice, never accorded sentence would cause collateral damage to his Libby commutation, are “disgusted” and feel my own family, I was going to receive a very lengthy prison term. Never facility in Carswell, TX to endure chemo, radiation and radium seeks constitutional notice of the charge, and my jury family. These truths were important in Libby’s that it undercuts law enforcement. We wonder did I dream it would be twenty-five years. implants (brachytherapy.) I endured all this while chained to a bed, alone never considered it. I was never found guilty case because he was an intimate associate of at all this hair pulling. Since when has justice When I was arrested I had $1,000.00 in the bank from selling eggs and frightened. No one can imagine what this does to a person. I now beyond a reasonable doubt of obstructing the President. Everyone else can go to hell! become equal in this country? Take a look at and candy. Most of it was deposited in change — nickels, dimes and value every moment and I’m thankful to be alive every day. I have many justice. We have often used “Just Us” to describe direct appeals and habeas corpus actions quarters — and the bankers substantiated this fact. I earned that money long-term side-effects due to extensive nuclear medicine that my body Although I elected a jury trial where that’s justice being a different thing for the wealthy or where the Justice Department gets its way one egg at a time, one soda pop at a time, one candy bar at a time. It endured. The odds are not in my favor that the cancer will remain in the only standard of proof for criminal offenses, highly connected. This was precisely such a almost every time excessive sentences are wasn’t from selling drugs as the government contends. remission. There is always a high risk that it will return elsewhere. I I received several sentencing enhancements case. challenged. I realize everyone has a day to die; death is a fate that will not be don’t want to die in prison and have worked extremely hard to better — none of which I was indicted for and all of George Bush is one of these very tough on To the unconcerned, remember this: with cheated. But I don’t want to die in prison. I want to die at home surrounded myself. which ran consecutive to the sentence allowed crime types who believes there can never be only 4% of the world’s population, the United by the love of what’s left of my family. I do not have enough years left of In the event I receive clemency I have a wonderful support group by the jury’s verdict and guidelines. too much punishment. His own Attorney States has 26% of the world’s prisoners. my life to finish serving this 25 year sentence. I’m appealing to anyone waiting to help me rebuild my life. I will live with my mother and father The sentencing judge on his own decided General, Alberto Gonzalez, said in June that Scooter Libby lucked out — he had friends in to write letters for me to the Pardon Attorney’s Office in Washington who fortunately are still healthy and have stood by me throughout this to add these so-called enhancements, which the Justice Department would push for high places. while my application is still pending. horrible nightmare. (For more info, see www.candoclemency.com)

PAGE 6 www.november.org November Coalition - The Razor Wire November Coalition - The Razor Wire www.november.org PAGE 19 A Brief Overview Of Anti-Snitch Conference In Atlanta November Coalition Marks BY ALAN BEAN, TULIA FRIENDS OF JUSTICE FROM CANNABIS CULTURE MAGAZINE he ACLU’s Drug Law were incarcerated. In the USA Financing a united, massive and Decade Of Struggle In 2007 # 65, MARCH / APRIL 2007 Reform Project called 4,919 black males per 100,000 coordinated storytelling will require millions of BY CHUCK ARMSBURY, SENIOR EDITOR OF THE RAZOR WIRE their March 15, 2007 Atlanta are currently behind bars. dollars in funding — and that will mean roundtable event, “Undercover, Black participants wanted to converting a long list of high profile people to n early 1997 a handful of daring folks from From the earliest 1997 speeches, writings Unreliable And Unaddressed: talk about “white supremacy” our reform gospel. the remote mountains of northeastern and public vigils, “Novemberistas” have been Reconsidering The Use Of and “white hegemony.” Marc We felt part of a widespread consensus at Washington State called for peace in the war anti-prohibitionists, defenders of Informants In Drug Law Lamont Hill, professor of Urban the Atlanta gathering of the need to change the on drugs. Nora Callahan and some local Constitutional law, and anchored by Enforcement.” The invitation- Education and American national narrative-a daunting task, to be sure. friends with loved ones in prison began anguished families with a loved one in prison. only gathering was a testing- Studies at Temple University As Ed Burns put it, “When you’re going up publicly demanding an end to a war on people. Concerned, dedicated citizens stand with the-waters experiment bringing Alan & Nancy Bean with a machine-gun, rat-a-tat against mythology you’re swatting smoke. Tulia Friends of Justice “Out of a Colville kitchen comes a national them in growing numbers, too. together a representative speaking style, put it bluntly: “I Where does the responsibility for changing all organization,” said Congressman John It was incarcerated brother G. Patrick sample of academics, media people, grassroots don’t want to assume that the law could be of this begin?” Conyers at a Washington DC ceremony Callahan who asked his sister to organize organizers, Hip Hop artists, and people who anything but malevolent toward black And we are going up against mythology; recognizing November Coalition three years public opposition to this bogus, yet deadly, war have been personally violated by dishonest defendants given the influence of white particularly the well-entrenched myth that later. On behalf of the Coalition, Callahan on drugs in all its facets. After the website informants. supremacy. All the spaces that were open at helping poor people creates nothing but accepted the 2000 Letelier-Moffitt Human (www.november.org) was launched in early “Law is just one piece of the puzzle,” Loyola one time are being controlled. In the hood, there dependency and a false sense of entitlement. Rghts Award sponsored by the Institute for 1997, and the first Razor Wire newspapers law professor Alexandra Natapoff told us. “What are police officers on every single corner.” It is widely believed that locking up the poor, Policy Studies and presented by Mr. Conyers. began circulating nationally, the Coalition’s needs to be changed is social tolerance for Cole, a retired police officer, blamed it on the drug addicted, the mentally ill and the The general mission of November Colville office was flooded with mail and phone unfair practices.” This statement was reinforced drug prohibition: “We spend so much money ignorant will somehow teach them a lesson. And Coalition is to educate, arouse and activate calls from drug war prisoners and their loved by Anjuli Verma’s insightful report on a series on the war on drugs; we don’t have any money even if there is no deterrent effect, Mainstream people to demand a halt to the government’s ones, each one eager to tell us about drug of focus groups assembled in Texas earlier this to help people.” America believes that mass incarceration use of drug law enforcement to increase war injustice. year by a high-profile research organization. The Wire producer Ed Burns acknowledged makes the streets safer. prison populations. Our mission statement After reading hundreds of such stories, a If opinions from the broad cross section of the relevance of racism and the drug war but As Professor Natapoff suggests, the calls for trashing drug prohibition/zero pattern emerged of prosecutors who coerce people questioned in this small study is anything was inclined to blame mass incarceration on America middle classes tolerate unfair practices tolerance ideology because it only increases testimony, of friends and family members who to go by (and I suspect it is), Mainstream the loss of manufacturing jobs. “When the jobs so long as they are believed to enhance public gangland violence, profiteering and corrupt CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE disappear, the drugs come,” he said. “We are safety. Until we can change that impression we institutions. doing all of this because there are no jobs.” will get nowhere. IF REFORMERS WANT TO CHANGE THE In other words, the Atlanta gathering brought The Atlanta gathering probably raised more Report: 10 Year Anniversary Benefit & Auction MINDS AND HEARTS OF MIDDLE AMERICA, WE together bold, well-informed people with strong questions than it answered, but that’s how it NEED BLACK COMMUNICATORS TO FRAME AND opinions. That’s what it was designed to do, was designed. A follow-up gathering is needed n March 31, 2007, November Coalition engaging volunteers, collecting auction DELIVER THE MESSAGE TO A BLACK, MIDDLE and the differences in perspective were as — and soon. This time I would like to hear celebrated 10 years of “Working to end donations and preparing a marvelous feast. CLASS AUDIENCE. IF WE CAN’T CONVINCE BILL invigorating as they were enlightening. Alexandra Natapoff, Ed Burns and at least one drug war injustice” at ‘Our House’, the former We raised over $2000.00 to support the varied COSBY OR OPRAH WINFREY, WE DON’T HAVE However, as results of the focus groups and black representative from the Civil Rights and 1920s church now occupied by the Coalition efforts of the November Coalition, including A PRAYER WITH THE WHITE MAINSTREAM. Bill Cosby’s well-publicized rants suggest, there Hip Hop generations lay out their visions for in Colville, WA. the news magazine you are now reading! is a wide slice of black Americans who have no the way ahead in hour-long presentations The evening began with a tasty (and Thanks also to the following donors to the particular problem with the drug war, mandatory followed by vigorous small group discussions. healthy) dinner, followed by the auction benefit: America isn’t too worried about the criminal minimum sentences or the abuse of informant As Dr. Natapoff told us in Atlanta, “This is events. Auction items included handmade Milt Spiedel, Pam Wagner, Hilary Ohm, R. justice system in general or the abuse of testimony. This population is concerned about just the beginning of the debate.” jewelry and crafts, classic record albums and E. Lee Shoestore, Peter & Laurie Quinn, informant “snitch” testimony in particular. Most the mass incarceration of black males, but there Source: edited for length from online writing tapes, underground comics, and even a 1- Shelly Erickson, Ursula & Eric, Tom Benedict, people assume that appropriate checks and seems a tendency to shrug and say, “If you do at www.gritsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2007/ hour massage certificate. Afterwards, local Jack Cabe, Indigo, Gibby, Jonah Ohm balances are in play and that most “snitches” the crime, you do the time.” 03/talking-snitches-in-atlanta.html band The Planetary Refugees provided a Campbell, Deanna Draney, Curtis Pitts, Bev are small fish used to catch big fish. If reformers want to change the minds and lively reggae beat, as a benefit card game Spidel, Janelle Sunshine, Colville Veterans None of this is true, of course. In the drug hearts of Middle America, we took place on the second story catwalk. For Peace, Jean Christen, Chris Curley, Ruth war, most informants are relatively big fish need black communicators to Special thanks go to Sonia Christen and Campbell, and everyone who attended and ratting on their small fish associates, girl friends frame and deliver the message Mellow Rose, our local volunteers who did a made our 10th Anniversary Auction / Benefit a and family members. Ed Burns, an ex-cop and to a black, middle class phenomenal job of organizing the event; huge success! schoolteacher who now produces HBO’s inner audience. If we can’t convince city drama “The Wire,” remarked that “there are Bill Cosby or Oprah Winfrey, very strict rules about using informants, and we don’t have a prayer with the they are broken 99% of the time.” Dr. Natapoff white mainstream. cited a report by the California ACLU suggesting As I suggested in my View from the catwalk: The Planetary that most police departments in the Golden presentation at the roundtable, Refugees perform State have no policies to violate. we need to discover and Jack Cole, Executive Director of Law publicize an avalanche of Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), laid Tulia-style criminal justice out familiar but shocking facts. Most Western horror stories. The recent democracies have incarceration rates in the exoneration of Ann Colomb 100-200 per 100,000 people range. In the USA, and her three sons after they by contrast, 717 of every 100,000 white males had been convicted by are currently behind bars-and that’s just the perjured inmate-informant white guys. At the depths of Apartheid hell in testimony is a story still waiting pre-liberation South Africa, 851 black males to be told. “Spoken Soul” artists Brotha’s Keepa (www.brothaskeepa.com) Benefit organizers Sonia Christen (left) share the message they teach in Memphis, TN Ursula displays auction items and Mellow Rose

PAGE 18 www.november.org November Coalition - The Razor Wire November Coalition - The Razor Wire www.november.org PAGE 7 government’s widespread use of informants. housing and other federal benefits, and from how the war on drugs has contributed to the Stories from Inside offers first-hand DECADE ... CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 The secrecy generated by massive drug war political corruption to police violence. If we try NEWS ... CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 sexual violence that plagues prisons and jails accounts of 24 prisoner rape survivors, all of became snitches, others who do the time, and informing is fully documented by the United to deal with all these problems one by one, the across the country, derailing justice and whom were sexually assaulted while serving judges who go along with it all, everyone States Sentencing Commission in its 2005 15- prison population will have doubled again by store clerk and a hotdog vendor in Philadelphia shattering human dignity. time for non-violent drug-related offenses. The whining bitterly. Year study. the time we get it done,” Callahan said. to make money to bring his family here, but let In the U.S. today, more than 500,000 people report includes an overview and analysis of the Tyrone Brown is one powerful case study The Commission bemoans the hidden deals November Coalition is spearheading a a friend talk him into making a few heroin are incarcerated on drug charges alone, with war on drugs, and offers appropriate policy among scores found at The WALL, illustrating made by prosecutors who manage intricate campaign called “No New Prisons” in 2007. deliveries, for which he was convicted and thousands more imprisoned on drug-motivated recommendations. how a well-told human drama displays the webs of snitches, especially in large urban Focusing first on Washington State and the sentenced in 1992. crimes, such as property offenses and public For a copy of the Stories from Inside report, conflicted results of demonizing certain drugs communities. After all, ask Commissioners, how Pacific Northwest, we plan to publish details of In prison, the 47-year-old has raised about order violations. Overcrowded facilities are contact Amber Durfield at [email protected] or and punishing some users. can we assess evidence we’re barred from the struggle of prison oppositionists — those $3,000, enough to pay for a dozen operations breeding grounds for sexual abuse, with non- (213) 384-1400 ext. 102, write Stop Prisoner Tyrone wrote the Coalition in July 2004 with reviewing? The chief result is that the USSC who do the work of preventing more prison at the average cost of $250 each. violent drug offenders among those at greatest Rape at 3325 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 340, Los a tale we could hardly believe. He said he got cannot do the job required of it by Congress. expansion. ”We are all fathers,” Mr. Rahman said of risk for violence. Angeles, CA 90010, or visit www.spr.org. a life sentence at age 17 for smoking marijuana Drug police units rely heavily on confidential The Razor Wire continues to be published the inmates who contribute. “When it comes to while on probation for an armed robbery where informants. We don’t know how many are in and made available to grassroots’ activists for a child, they give.” no one was hurt. He had already served 14 any community because prosecutors and police public distribution, and we’ve established a “It’s an amazing story,” said Michelle years when he contacted our office. forces keep this information secret. The business called November’s Natural Soap, Sinesky, spokeswoman for The Smile Train. Chavez Aids Bolivia With Coca Leaf Plan “We’ve never had anyone like him.” After verifying and obtaining written consent, estimated numbers are growing, and the made with hemp and other fine oils. Profits BY CHRIS KRAUL, CHICAGO TRIBUNE NEWSPAPERS Tyrone’s words were posted on The WALL in numbers also tell us that “98 per cent of the supplement the tireless generosity of loyal Mr. Rahman, one of the few Muslims in the March 2005. In the fall we heard from reporter time police don’t have any goods on anyone, donors who support the Coalition’s work. Seagoville prison, said he has been treated well aracas, Venezuela — President Hugo But such projects have been opposed by Brooks Egerton of the Dallas Morning News, just a confidential informant,” as Nora Callahan November staff and volunteers have by other inmates and the staff, even in the days Chavez of Venezuela has found a novel the U.S. government, which sees the export of who said that while browsing The WALL he read told college students recently. Many of our Wall renovated an historic 1920s Colville church, and weeks after 9/11. way to dispense foreign aid: by promising any coca product as a violation of the Vienna Brown’s unbelievable story about getting life in stories reflect this reality of convicting the later a natural food co-op, into offices and “We are brothers in this compound,” he said. to underwrite coca production in Bolivia. Convention, an international accord under prison for smoking pot. accused by words alone. meeting space. Called Our House, the 4500 “I wish people out on the streets would follow Officials confirmed in February 2007 that which signatories agree the coca leaf is a Coalition volunteers have unearthed once- square foot building has a large kitchen, guest the example of Seagoville.” Venezuela would buy whatever legal products dangerous substance that should be banned. hidden truths about prosecutorial abuse of accommodations, and a Great Room where “One person can make a difference.” Bolivia can make from coca leaf, as part of that Morales in December 2006 announced he Source: Dallas Morning News. WE SEE 2007 AS A YEAR OF power at all phases of the criminal justice private meetings, special workshops and public nation’s attempt to wean farmers from the was expanding legal production of coca in THICKENING GRASSROOTS’ NETWORKS AND procedure. Both in Razor Wire articles and in events take place. cocaine industry. Bolivia to 50,000 acres from 30,000 acres by ORGANIZING NATIONALLY. IT’S RIGHT TO direct communications with affected We see 2007 as a year of thickening Medical Marijuana User, 66, Chavez’s promise could finance the 2010. The United States protested, saying that production of some 4,000 tons of coca leaf in Bolivia needed only a fraction of that acreage EXPECT GOOD THINGS TO HAPPEN. communities, “Novemberistas” continue to call grassroots’ networks and organizing nationally. Accused Of Dealing for public review of snitching’s negative impact It’s right to expect good things to happen. What Bolivia, Venezuelan officials say. Possible coca- to supply domestic needs. Meet Christine Rose Baggett, a 66-year-old on working class brown and black communities better time than now for increasing mutual based products include soap, bread, herbal The coca deal will do nothing to lessen the great-grandmother who was formally charged — and specially targeted communities of respect and aid within the drug reform teas, toothpaste, medicines and cooking oils. hostility of the Bush administration toward the in June as a “drug dealer” in Spokane, WA. On April 23, 2006, the Morning News hippies of all colors as well. movement, and its diverse interests? No dollar amount for Venezuela’s support Chavez regime. That hostility was evident at a Baggett, a widow with no criminal record, published Egerton’s investigation into Tyrone A grassroots’ “Stop Snitchin” movement For further information on all our projects has been announced. Three factories are under suffers from two kinds of arthritis, two herniated Brown. Egerton found that Judge Keith Dean presents its message on a large billboard in and how you can participate, contact us at 509- construction in Bolivia with Venezuelan financial discs in her back and a broken ankle that hasn’t did order Brown, a black teenager, to serve life Kansas City, Missouri. Sponsored by a local 684-1550 or email [email protected]. aid and Cuban technical support; production healed properly, she and her attorney said. Her VENEZUELA’S NICOLAS MADURO SAID in prison for testing positive in a urinalysis for family, the billboard has generated considerable For online information about some of the could begin this summer. sight is failing and she has a laundry list of other THE TWO NATIONS WERE WORKING ON marijuana use in violation of Dean’s earlier 10- talk and media attention, including from the above: First announced in January by Venezuela’s ailments for which she walks with a cane and PROJECTS TO “VALUE AND DIGNIFY THE COCA year probation. Yet, Egerton also found that the City’s Mayor, initially enraged by the message. www.november.org/thewall ambassador in Bolivia, Julio Montes, the deal uses marijuana for relief. LEAF.” VENEZUELA, CUBA AND BOLIVIA Judge handled a white murderer and cocaine After meeting with the family and a local www.november.org/parole was finalized in Caracas during meetings of the The Spokane County prosecutor’s office has RECENTLY SIGNED THE PEOPLE’S TRADE addict much differently, excusing the man’s news reporter under the billboard, the Mayor www.november.org/BottomsUp two countries’ foreign ministers. The pledge is chosen to pursue a felony trafficking charge TREATY OUTLINING COOPERATION AND numerous probation violations. absorbed the heartfelt words of a father of a www.novembersoap.org the latest in a series of foreign aid promises in against Baggett for the ounce she bought last ABOUT A $1 MILLION INVESTMENT IN After Egerton’s story broke, the Coalition drug war prisoner and offered to help create a Latin America as Chavez tries to expand his August from another man. RESEARCH ON COCA PRODUCTION. began hearing from Texans at first, people less-divisive message of snitching’s ugly influence and promote his “Bolivarian What the court record shows is that Baggett outraged by the unequal justice, stupefied by downside. We wish the Mayor luck, and 2007 Revolution.” admitted purchasing an ounce of marijuana judicial bias against marijuana, and stunned by starts hot! Included in Venezuela’s foreign aid Governor Perry from a man on August 23 for $180. the favoritism for a white defendant with Over the past three years November programs are a promised refinery for February congressional hearing when U.S. But she gave some of it back to him “as connections to power and influence. Tyrone’s Coalition volunteers across the country have Frees Tyrone Brown Nicaragua, cut-rate fuel for Ecuador and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said payment for delivering the marijuana to her”, plainly told story and poems first sent to our collected signatures of support for legislation continuing bond purchases from Argentina. democracy and human rights were under attack On March 9, thus qualifying her as a drug dealer, at least in office in mid-2004 were about to get even more to bring back federal parole. More than 120,000 Chavez’s promise is a big step in Bolivian in Venezuela. 2007, Texas the eyes of Spokane’s law enforcement public exposure. people have signed our Petition for Relief from President Evo Morales’ efforts to legitimize the “I do believe that the president of Venezuela Governor Rick community. Just before the elections in early November, Drug War Injustice, and congressional leaders production of coca leaves, a crop Morales once is really, really destroying his own country, Perry signed “If you were my grandma,” Baggett’s an ABC 20/20 Special featured Ty’s story, have responded by introducing bills. It is grew. economically, politically,” Rice told lawmakers. an executive attorney, Frank Cikutovich, told her, “I would including interviews with Egerton and Tyrone, expected that the Second Chance Act and a The announcement came as the United But the Venezuelan and Bolivian governments proclamation say use whatever medication you need and I and a clip of ABC’s futile attempt to talk with a bill to return federal parole will be introduced States government is scaling back its anti-drug made it clear U.S. objections will not affect their that will fight for you until my dying day.” stonewalling Judge Dean, then actively early in the 110th Congress. enforcement funding to Andean nations, plans. conditionally Source: Spokesman-Review. campaigning for re-election. Dean lost his “What we need most is an Omnibus Crime pardoned including Bolivia and Ecuador. Chavez has long Appearing in February before reporters with reelection bid. Public support and demands for Bill,” said Nora Callahan in a recent interview supported Morales’ efforts to find commercial Bolivian Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca, Tyrone Brown’s Stories From Inside: Prisoner Tyrone’s immediate release exploded. with Drug War Chronicle’s Phil Smith. life sentence. markets for coca-based products. Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro said the two Today, Texas officials are listening — notably “Otherwise we’ll be picking this thing (a laundry After 16 years in prison, Tyrone is now Rape And The War On Drugs Indigenous communities in Colombia and nations were working on projects to “value and Judge Dean and prosecutor Bill Hill. Both men list of drug reform issues) apart for the next five living, working and attending school in It is widely accepted that the U.S. “war on Peru, which claim the leaf is sacred, have dignify the coca leaf.” Venezuela, Cuba and have joined in a plea to the Parole Board and decades. An omnibus bill would open the door the Dallas area, very happy to be drugs” has been both costly and ineffective. attempted to promote commercial, non-cocaine Bolivia recently signed the People’s Trade Governor Rick Perry to release Tyrone. to broad hearings where we could address the reunited with his mother and other Less known is the link between current U.S. uses of coca in soft drinks, cookies and anti- Treaty outlining cooperation and about a $1 Much of the Coalition’s educational thrust myriad, negative effects of the drug war — from family members. Free at last. drug policies, prison overcrowding, and rape arthritic ointments. Botanists have extolled the million investment in research on coca in 2007 is aimed at exposing the social imprisoning huge numbers of people to behind bars. In Stories from Inside, released in nutrients that the leaf contains. production. fracturing of communities caused by the depriving students of loans and poor people of May, Stop Prisoner Rape (SPR) makes clear

PAGE 8 www.november.org November Coalition - The Razor Wire November Coalition - The Razor Wire www.november.org PAGE 17 Jim McDonough said the warrants include large doses of opioid pain relievers to patients. charges of battery and failing to report inmate Hurwitz’ original conviction was overturned on I Got Published! In the abuse. McDonough said the FBI and the U.S. appeal in 2006, and supporters hoped he would attorney were also looking into civil rights walk free after his second trial. violations. While prosecutors portrayed Hurwitz as little News more than a drug dealer, pain patients and their New Prosecutorial Guidelines advocates saw him as a brave and heroic figure MAY 12, 2006 - ARIZONA DAILY STAR who prescribed necessary drugs for patients CORRECTIONAL FORUM - SEPTEMBER 2004 ISSUE Why Not Take Case Into Courtroom? Cocaine Floods America Address Racial Disparities In with nowhere else to turn. Re: the April 29 article “Limbaugh Strikes Deal On Drug Re: “Slowing The Revolving Door: The Success Despite Tons Captured And The Criminal Justice System In mid-July, Hurwitz, originally sentenced to Count.” In early April, the Brennan Center for Justice 25 years, was re-sentenced to less than five Whatever happened to Rush Limbaugh’s position that Of Drug Courts”: Billions Spent at New York University School of Law released years by a judge who concluded during his people should obey the law, and people who don’t should be I am writing to strongly encourage the Pennsylvania Prison Society U.S. cocaine prices have dropped and purity punished? to deeply investigate and oppose SM129/PN147 — the drug court bill. new guidelines for prosecutors designed to retrial that Hurwitz helped far more patients than While I truly did benefit from the treatment I received in drug court has increased, despite years of effort and If Limbaugh really wasn’t guilty, as he claims, then why promote equal justice, improve public safety he hurt. didn’t he just go to trial and prove it? for over two years, I am forced to regret taking the program, as are the billions spent by the U.S. government to combat and increase confidence in the criminal justice Federal prosecutors were seeking a life I can understand Limbaugh’s addiction. How else could majority of former participants. Colombia’s drug industry, John Walters, the system. sentence for Dr. Hurwitz. he bear to listen to himself? Most “clients” fail the drug court program in Erie, and invariably White House drug czar, acknowledged in a Source: The Drug War Chronicle Charles Crehore, Tucson, AZ end up with much more severe sentences than they would have received If adopted, the guidelines will reduce had they not taken the program, leading one to suspect the program is a letter to Senator Charles Grassley, (R-IA) in unwarranted racial disparities in the criminal means of coercing guilty pleas from defendants. early 2007. Low prices and high purity are justice system and provide prosecutors with FBI Informant Stages In order to enter the drug court, I had to plead guilty to multiple commonly seen as solid indicators of a drug’s practical tools to use in their work. felonies, so that I entered the program with 55 years of probation. Several Neo-Nazi Rally clients entered with over 100 years of probation! overall availability. Colombia provides 90% of The recommendations focus on ways in A paid FBI informant was behind a February The drug court program was unrealistically and impossibly strict; an the cocaine in the US. which race plays a role in criminal prosecutions. abstinence-based program built on that Reaganite phrase “zero tolerance”. Grassley, in an e-mailed statement to the The protocols were developed with the neo-Nazi march through the streets of You can’t frighten, threaten and terrorize a drug addict with low self- Associated Press, said the new data is “all the assistance of and signed onto by 13 former U.S. Parramore, FL that stirred up anxiety in esteem into respecting himself or herself and the law. I attended three proof that anybody needs” that the White House Attorneys, who also called on their colleagues Orlando’s black community and fears of racial different rehabs and two halfway houses and by no means am I only speaking for myself. Treatment and punishment do not work together drug office “has gotten quite good at spinning in federal, state and local law enforcement to unrest that triggered a major police mobilization. JANUARY 18, 2007 - SPARTANBURG HERALD- In court, an FBI agent said the bureau has and I doubt they ever will. the numbers, but cooking the books doesn’t adopt the procedures in their offices nationwide. JOURNAL (SC) Drug courts seem to me to be a coercive way of obtaining guilty help our efforts to curb cocaine and heroin The prosecutorial guidelines, along with an paid its informant, David Gletty, at least $20,000 pleas under false pretenses, a way of putting non-violent drug offenders production and consumption.” article describing former U.S. Attorneys’ during the past two years. Gletty’s secret life Mandatory Sentencing under the criminal “supervision” apparatus of the state for decades and a way for dying Rust-Belt communities to spend state and federal dollars In related stories, the San Diego Union perspectives on racial disparities in the federal became public in an unrelated federal court Hurray for your stand in Sunday’s editorial on the hearing resulting from the arrest of two federal mandatory sentencing law. I agree that the law needs as an extension of the penal system under the guise of compassionate reports that on March 18, US Coast Guard criminal justice system, will be published in the “treatment.” suspected white supremacists on charges of to be changed. cutter Hamilton intercepted and boarded a Federal Sentencing Reporter, a journal devoted First, the law is unjust. The law gives long harsh Jeremy D. Fowler Panamanian registered cargo vessel holding to federal and state sentencing issues with a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. sentences to nonviolent drug offenders. Less punishment 19 tons of (presumably Colombian) cocaine, wide audience of judges, practitioners, and Orlando City Councilwoman Daisy Lynum, is often given to more violent crimes of rape and murder. Second, the law does not consider the individual. The the biggest drug seizure in maritime history. The scholars. The guidelines are also available at whose predominantly black district includes the march route, said she wants to know who was law punishes each person the same. The punishment should Hamilton’s Captain Lee takes pride in the ship’s the Brennan Center for Justice website, at fit the person and the crime. The person’s value to the record. Since 2005, it has seized 121,000 www.brennancenter.org. behind it, the neo-Nazis or the FBI and other community is not considered. pounds of cocaine, worth $1.6 billion. law-enforcement agencies. Third, the federal sentencing law is costly. The Bureau Also, the UK Daily Telegraph reports that Wearing swastikas and holding signs of Justice Statistics report in 2005 staes that the total number Remove Governor From of people in prison was 2.2 million. The taxpayer pays the earlier this year, Colombia forces seized almost declaring “White Pride,” the 22 neo-Nazis who bill for this increase. JUNE 3, 2007 - ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION (GA) 25 metric tons of cocaine, found ready for export Parole Process turned out for the rally were protected from 500 Finally, the cost has hit an all-time high. You pay counterprotesters by about 300 police officers. in a hide on the Pacific coast. An OK state senator is asking lawmakers $23,000 a year to jail each nonviolent prisoner and only Stop Snitchin’ Movement to consider a proposal to remove the governor “If he was being sponsored by the FBI, then $8,554 to educate one child (Bureau of Prisons, 2005; “This is the largest seizure in Colombian Face It - Drug War Has Been A Disaster history,” said Defence Minister Juan Manuel from the parole process for nonviolent American National Socialism has a lot to thank National Education Association, 2005). the FBI for,” Bill White, a former spokesman for The wheels of justice need to turn. Our politicians need BY EDREA DAVIS, AUTHOR OF SNITCHCRAFT Santos. offenders. According to Sen. Richard Lerblance, to reform this unjust law. That’s 43 TONS of pure cocaine captured (D-Hartshorne), “Oklahoma is the only state the National Socialist Movement, said in an e- Eva Poteat, Spartanburg In light of the developments in the Kathryn Johnston case, in the early part of 2007, yet street availability where the governor is involved in the parole mail. Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington picked a bad time to remains virtually unchanged. Record seizures process. Taking the governor out of the process advocate for trusting the police and to blame their reliance on would be part of an overall solution to informants on a “no-snitch” campaign. make great headlines, but do little to address Inmate Funds Charity Using paid snitches instead of trained police appears to root causes in the futile “war on drugs”. Oklahoma’s prison overcrowding issue. The From Prison have more to do with circumventing constitutional rights than prisons are bursting at the seams right now.” a “no-snitch” movement. Namat Rahman made a mistake, and he’s 8 Florida Ex-Prison Staff Critics have long said that governor’s Cases chronicled on November.org — the Web site of The involvement makes the parole process too had a long time to think about it. He’s in the November Coalition, a nonprofit organization working to end drug war injustice — reveal that informant’s are an overused Charged With Abuse political, especially during election years. An 15th year of a 20-year no-parole sentence at Prisoners: the federal prison in Seagoville, TX for a drug tool in the drug war, which, like the war on terror, is a major Associated Press reported in May on eight estimated 80 percent of the growth in inmates catastrophe. former prison employees accused of abusing during the past year is attributed to fewer law violation. Get The It has cultivated a cadre of dishonest snitches and inmates, including forcing some to clean toilets releases. — Source: Tulsa World. But remorse is not enough, so he does what overzealous cops resulting in mounting distrust of police. with their tongues. The eight were among 13 he can to help others by raising money — most Facts! Ideally, we’d like murders prevented. of it from fellow inmates — for The Smile Train, Rather than blame a “no-snitch” code, Pennington and prison employees who had already been fired Send us a copy of your officials across the country should admit that focusing on petty from the 605-inmate medium and minimum Pain Doctor Convicted of 16 a charity that sends surgeons to Third World published editorial or letter — criminals has allowed violent crimes to skyrocket, created a security at the Hendry Correctional Institution Counts in Retrial countries to operate on children who have cleft you’ll receive a free copy of the rift between police and the community, and done nothing to lips and cleft palates. stop the proliferation of drug use. in the Everglades. Virginia pain specialist Dr. William Hurwitz 5th Edition of Drug War Facts! He hasn’t seen his own six children or his Edrea Davis, Atlanta, GA The previous warden and an assistant was convicted in April on 16 counts of drug (Published by Common Sense wife since he left them in Pakistan to come to warden resigned, and three others were trafficking after a jury for the second time for Drug Policy at: America in 1985. He worked as a convenience reassigned after an inmate was beaten and decided that he had overstepped the bounds www.drugwarfacts.org) choked by guards in March. State prisons chief of legitimate medical practice in prescribing CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

PAGE 16 www.november.org November Coalition - The Razor Wire November Coalition - The Razor Wire www.november.org PAGE 9 EYE ON CONGRESS EDITOR’S NOTES Crack vs. Powder: Congress Takes By Chuck Armsbury, Senior Editor HR 261 - A Bill For Nonviolent Offender Notice Relief In 2007 BY TYSON E. MARSHEK, PRISONER When Systems Corrupt BY GLENN H. EARLY, PRISONER OF THE DRUG WAR he 110th U.S. Congress has finally Good People noticed something that men and women n January 5, 2007, U.S. of HR 261 or any other future like me have been familiar with for some Congresswoman Sheila bills for family members to time, inequity in sentencing practice for crimes ately, I’ve been studying why good and Zimbardo is the Stanford University psychology Jackson-Lee of Houston, Texas send to their own district’s involving crack cocaine and powder cocaine. normal people sometimes do bad things. professor who designed and supervised the presented to the 110th Congress Representative. Family While it only takes five grams of crack cocaine Like those ordinary Columbine high schoolers August 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment HR 261, the Federal Prison members can also call the to trigger a mandatory minimum five-year on 4/20 in 1999 who went bowling in the (www.prisonexp.org). Dividing student Bureau Nonviolent Offender Capitol Hill Switchboard at sentence under federal law, it requires 500 morning before killing fellow students and volunteers by a coin’s flip into guards or Relief Act of 2007. HR 261 is a (202) 224-3121 and talk to grams of powder cocaine to warrant that same themselves in the afternoon. For example, the prisoners, Zimbardo’s five-day experiment clear and concise bill that will their Representative or leave sentence. nice kid you know from your small town who produced surprising results. Mainly, from the or do you walk on by that drunk lying in the provide immediate relief for a message in support of HR This inequity has spurred members of joined the Marines, and who now kicks in Iraqi start these ordinary students quickly “became gutter? Under what circumstances would you federal prisoners who are at least 261 and any other bill for Congress into introducing two bills to correct doors and shoots women and children, or the the roles” they had assumed in this ever intervene to stop a crime? 45 years of age, with no history prisoner relief that may be filed this disparity, but this is only partly good news. prison guards who go to church on Sunday and psychodrama. Guards dominated, prisoners Zimbardo and other ‘situationists’ offer of violence, and who have served in coming weeks. H.R. 79 was introduced on January 4, 2007 by kick prisoners’ butts during the week. submitted. convincing evidence that changing half their sentence. While expecting they’ll get Rep. R. Bartlett (MD-6), and while this bill would Revelations of Abu Ghraib torture represent Those who became guards by flip of a coin circumstances can bring out the angel or devil What percentage of today’s 195,000 federal little help, prisoners and their families must still equalize crack and powder penalties, it would very well this ages-old dilemma. “The Christian began to act like real prison guards: giving in any one person, family or nation. “We” are prisoners will HR 261 actually help? That’s not do everything possible to change the current achieve this by making one gram of powder in me says it’s wrong, but the corrections officer senseless orders, punishing rule violations, always “Them” to the Other. And under the yet known, but all federal prisoners and their system. For the good of the whole, we must cocaine equal to one gram of crack cocaine. in me says, ‘I love to make a grown man piss acting arbitrarily and manipulative. Likewise, power of a wrong situation, you or I may cast family members should support and promote unite as individuals and groups to support new Consequently, this legislation qualifies all himself,’” said Specialist Charles Graner as students playing prisoner soon adopted aside morality, habits of mind, principles and this bill and others soon to be presented to the laws that create beneficial social change. If we cocaine offenders for harsh punishment for a reported on BBC News in spring 2005. strategies for dealing with their unequal power- beliefs and “do wrong.” Congress which can bring immediate relief from continue to assess common problems in the relatively small amount of drugs, while Employed previously as a prison guard in the situation. Each student for the experiment Unfortunately, it seems only a few of us frail long sentences to incarcerated people. prison system with only an individual interest or destroying families and communities, and while US, Graner is the Abu Ghraib military policeman earned daily money; each was screened for humans become heroes who resist unlawful or More importantly, prisoners can help create narrow outlook, it’s unlikely we’ll create much prisons continue to be built unnecessarily for shown smiling and having fun next to a pile of hidden personality quirks, and several wore immoral orders, denounce oppressive conditions for change by writing members of future for the common good. incarcerating these drug-law violators for naked Iraqis in widely circulated photos. long hair and described themselves as leftist leadership or correct a teacher, doctor, Congress directly, asking them to support HR HR 261 is but one proposed solution to ungodly periods of time. What was it about the inner sanctum of Abu radicals. supervisor or preacher when s/he is wrong. 261 and any other reentry or release legislation prison overcrowding, and doesn’t explore others On the other hand, H.R. 460 was presented Ghraib, Saddam Hussein’s former dungeon, After five days that began with a ‘fake’ arrest The language of psychology and likely to be developed such as “The Second or criticize political leaders still eager to wage a on January 12, 2007 by Rep C. Rangel (NY- which brewed a nasty concoction of power, to start the experiment, to the moment ‘psychobabble’ is found everywhere in US Chance Act” and “The Bill to Revive the System drug war and incarcerate more nonviolent 15) and seeks to equalize sentencing laws by sexual perversion and multiple counts of torture Zimbardo called it off, each of these 18 male culture. The majority of mental health experts of Parole for Federal Prisoners.” offenders. I can’t wait to see the next legislation making one gram of crack cocaine equal to one and abuse? How did our US troops come to students ‘lived the roles’ they played. Particular teach that we “have” certain obsessions, and Also, prisoners can draft letters in support to relieve federal prison overcrowding. gram of powder cocaine, and requiring 500 act like Saddam’s henchmen? “guards” became abusers, rule followers or that we’re bipolar, schizophrenic, or depressed, grams of either substance to trigger any Was Graner some kind of sick sadist, a good guys; a couple “prisoners” experienced and that these sociopolitical labels are actually mandatory minimum sentence. This bill makes psychopath, an undiagnosed schizoid? Do we real emotional trauma, rebels were put in the a medical disease, like diabetes or measles. Sen. Biden Wants To Completely sense and is a step in the right direction towards look within the torturer’s head for answers? Or (closet) hole, and one had to be released before Drug Courts universally adopt this medical correcting unjust sentencing laws. do we find those answers by a study of the five days. model to describe and treat drug law offenders. Eliminate Crack Disparity As of the end of March, H.R. 460 had 10 power of situations to turn nice Christians like The Lucifer Effect is Zimbardo’s 2007 full Zimbardo’s lifetime achievement is Co-Sponsors while H.R. 79 had none. Graner into torturers, others into silent account of the SPE. There’s a full chapter on demonstrating that social reality produces these hen Congress passed the Anti-Drug making the law unfair, but less so. We must show our support for H.R. 460 by bystanders? Abu Ghraib, sections on the 1978 Jim Jones’ “mental” symptoms, and that systems and Abuse Act of 1986, it included Biden’s “Drug Sentencing Reform & contacting our federal representatives. Ask Phil Zimbardo’s book The Lucifer Effect Guyana mass suicides, Halloween mischief and social situations powerfully influence future language that meted out a mandatory minimum Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2007” would yours to support this important legislation by provides answers we’re looking for. Dr. anonymity, studies of attitudes about ridding behavior that can trump individual will, sentence of five years for dealing 5 grams of raise the amount of crack cocaine so that 500 signing on as a co-sponsor. Let’s also put time society of social misfits, types of personality traits or religiosity. crack cocaine, yet the same 5-year mandatory grams of either crack or powder cocaine would and energy into campaigning against H.R. 79 dehumanization and the evil of Where lies hope within this entrapping web minimum sentence for dealing 100 times that trigger the same mandatory minimum sentence. as a nonsensical solution to the inequity in inaction. of evil systems and situations? How about in a amount, or 500 grams, of powder cocaine. According to a Sentencing Commission fact cocaine laws and show our members of To dispel utter hopelessness, nurturing web of a social system and culture Thus, the bill codified a racially unjust divide. table on 2006 federal cocaine cases, the Congress how this would only continue to Zimbardo finishes with a chapter on that reinforces cooperation, mutual respect, and The U.S. Sentencing Commission found that median crack offense involved 51 grams of perpetuate injustices across the country. “Resisting Situational Influences And equitable sharing of resources? in 2000 some 84.7 percent of federal crack crack — or 100 to 500 doses. The median I cannot minimize the importance of being Celebrating Heroism.” This is a very For more on The Lucifer Effect, visit offenders were black, while only 5.6 percent powder cocaine offender weight was 6,000 vocal on these matters by contacting your valuable book for social researchers www.lucifereffect.com. were white, and has made four grams, about the amount of cocaine that would elected representatives or by speaking about and anyone wanting answers about I’d like to receive comments and recommendations to curb the sentencing fill a briefcase. Not only do these weights these matters in your community through letters the dynamic interplay of personality, contributions on this devilish subject. inequity. Congress has repeatedly ignored the suggest that most federal offenders were not to the editor and other media outlets. systems and real situations, or more Respectfully, Chuck Armsbury recommendations. kingpins, but worse, the statistics also show that Regardless of how good or promising H.R. 460 grandly, psychology and sociology. Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., wants to change more than half of federal cocaine cases were may sound, members of Congress are unlikely After all, The Lucifer Effect is The Stanford Prison Experiment has been the status quo. In June, Biden made the brave crack cases — dealing as little as 2.3 grams. to take any positive action to pass this bill into about you and me. It’s about who we optioned as an upcoming major motion picture leap of proposing a bill to eliminate the One-third of crack cases involved 25 grams or law unless they know they have the support of really are, or more so, who we think — see www.lucifereffect.com/movie.htm for sentencing disparity completely, instead of less. — Source: St. Petersburg Times their community and voter base. Participants in the Stanford Prison Experiment we are? Are you a Good Samaritan, details.

PAGE 10 www.november.org November Coalition - The Razor Wire November Coalition - The Razor Wire www.november.org PAGE 15 I Just Came Back From A War JULY 2, 2007 - THE NEW YORK TIMES BY GRANNY M OF MICHIGAN RAINBOW FARM

have occasion to listen to quite a bit of Editorial: A Much-Needed Second Chance country radio at work, and they are currently The United States now has more than two million people behind bars, The surge in Texas was not being driven by crime, which had risen playing a song called “I Just Came Back from Tom Crosslin (left) and Rollie Rohm, shot a number that has been rising steadily for decades. But state lawmakers only slightly, but by a breakdown in the parole and probation systems, a War.” At the first few, fragmented hearings, I and killed by law enforcement agents after a who once would have rushed to build new prisons have begun to see that which were unable to process and supervise the necessary numbers of thought it was one of those “rah rah go team, days-long stand-off in early September, 2001 prison-building is not the best or most cost-effective way to fight crime released prisoners. Mental health and drug treatment services were also might-makes-right” tunes like “Courtesy of the on Tom’s property, Michigan Rainbow Farm. or protect the public’s safety. lacking. By expanding those services, along with other community-based Red White & Blue” (“We’ll put a boot in your Crosslin faced 20 years in prison on marijuana Several states have instead begun to focus on developing community- programs, the Legislature projects that it could potentially avoid the need ass/ It’s the American Way”). and weapons charges, and the state was based programs that deal with low-level, nonviolent offenders without for any new prisons. But the first time I really listened to it, I moving to seize Rainbow Farm under civil locking them up. And they have begun to look at ways to control recidivism A similar solution was found in Kansas, where about 65 percent of the realized it was simply a soldier’s personal asset forfeiture proceedings. Michigan child with programs that help newly released people find jobs, housing, drug state’s admissions to prison were traced to technical violations of probation viewpoint of why he went to war and how it’s welfare authorities had taken Rohm’s 12-year- treatment and mental health care — essential services if they are to live or parole, often by people with drug addictions or mental illnesses. The affected him. old son, Robert, and placed him in foster care viable lives in a society that has historically shunned them. Legislature has expanded drug treatment behind bars and created a grant What does this have to do with our cause? after an earlier raid. For more info, see program that encourages localities to provide more effective supervision After that first ‘real listening,’ and each time I Texas and Kansas have recently made important strides in this area. www.rainbowfarmcamp.com, or read Burning and services as a way of keeping recently released people away from hear it since then, it gives me chills for But corrections policy nationally would evolve much faster if Washington Rainbow Farm: How a Stoner Utopia Went crime and out of prison. expressing perfectly how I felt while returning Up in Smoke, by Dean Kuipers. put its shoulder to the wheel. Congress needs to pass the Second Chance from the gates of Rainbow Farm after the siege Act, which would provide grants, guidance and assistance to states and The social service networks that are necessary for this kind of work and murders of Tom and Rollie on September localities that are developing programs to reintegrate former inmates into are virtually nonexistent in most communities. To put those networks 9, 2001: their communities. together, the states need to require that disparate parts of the government I Just Came Back From A War I’m sure the guy in the song feels that he endured. The states have made a good start, thanks in part to the efforts of the apparatus work together in ways that were unheard of in the past. The very next morning stands for freedom, democracy, justice, but to Yet, many people have never heard of Council of State Governments and its prison policy arm, the Justice Center. It is encouraging that state officials are willing to break out of the old I took a walk through the neighborhood the people who hated him he stood for US Rainbow Farm, and it’s simply inconceivable The center’s analysis of corrections patterns has led to sweeping changes patterns. But they need help. The Second Chance Act would bolster the I thought it’s been so long imperialism and cluster bombs. We felt that we to them that such a thing could truly happen in Texas, where the Legislature was facing a projected upsurge in the re-entry movement with money, training, technical assistance — and the since I’ve been in a place stood for the same things that soldier felt he here under cover of the Stars and Stripes. Or prison population and a projected outlay of more than a billion dollars to federal stamp of approval. where everything is good did, but to the Authorities and the “Law-and- they have the idea you’re making it up/ build several new prisons. People laughing and children were playing. Order” segment of the population, we stood for exaggerating/they deserved what they got, (Stanza from “I Just Got Back From A War,” free drugs and sex for children, guns, cause our government doesn’t just kill citizens by Darryl Worley) destruction of property, and anarchy. for being a nuisance to the status quo. We really were engaged in an actual war Our perceived differences were heightened Or it’s just not real at all, even if someone down on the Farm during those terrible few days to an excruciating degree by the 9/11 attacks doesn’t technically disbelieve you. Friends, before the infamous 9/11. All the masks were that happened the day of Rollies’ funeral and family, strangers on the street — no one really Nation’s Mayors Call for New Bottom Line in U.S. Drug Policy stripped aside, and the helicopters, armored the subsequent national nervous breakdown/ gets it unless they’ve been through something personnel carriers, and storm troopers made post-traumatic stress political reaction. similar (and if they have, there’s an immediate he United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) made history in levels or number of people imprisoned, a New Bottom Line should be the real nature of the Drug (and Culture) War That’s a tough gap to bridge. And that’s in bond). The rest look at you with a sort of late June 2007 by passing a resolution calling for a public health used to assess if drug-related harm is reduced. crystal clear to the very few of us who actually addition to the basic gap between those who’ve puzzled, wary expression, their silence making approach to the problems of substance use and abuse. Mayor Rocky National drug policy should focus on reducing social problems like witnessed them. experienced it and those who haven’t, wider in it obvious they’re dying to change the subject. Anderson of Salt Lake City, Utah sponsored the resolution. drug addiction, overdose deaths, the spread of HIV/AIDS from injection “Chances are I never will be the same/ I the case of the Farm, simply because Chances are I never will be the same; I really The resolution proclaims the War on Drugs a failure and calls for “a drug use, racial disparities in the criminal justice system, and the really don’t know anymore/ I just came back everybody knows there really is a hot war in don’t know anymore. I just came back from a New Bottom Line in U.S. Drug Policy. Called for in particular is a public enormous number of nonviolent offenders behind bars. Federal drug from a war.” Iraq; no one can deny the horrible things our war. health approach that agencies should be judged — and funded — according to their ability to It really does put a wall between “veterans” military veterans have experienced and PeaceLoveGratitude, Granny M concentrates fully on reducing meet these goals. and “civilians,” if I may be so bold as to use the THE RESOLUTION ALSO CALLS FOR the negative consequences Moreover, since the impact of drug policies is most acutely felt in former term to describe myself in this context. USING A GREATER PERCENTAGE OF associated with drug abuse local communities, evaluation and decision-making must occur at the You can’t go through something like that and Sharp Jump In Number Of State Prisoners; DRUG WAR FUNDING TO EVALUATE while ensuring that our local level — and federal funding must be provided to enable communities not be profoundly affected, but it’s not something CURRENT PROGRAMS’ EFFICACY AND policies do not exacerbate to pursue those policies that best that you ever feel you’ve effectively Parole Revocations Largely To Blame ACCOUNTABILITY. RATHER THAN these problems or create new meet the unique challenges of communicated to anyone who wasn’t there. FROM THE SENTENCING PROJECT MEASURE THE SUCCESS OF U.S. social problems of their own.” substance abuse. In the case of Rainbow Farm, for me, the DRUG POLICY BY EXAMINING DRUG In adopting the resolution, “The mayors are clearly “THE MAYORS ARE CLEARLY bitter irony is that here “in the land of the free” he Department of Justice reported in June that in the year ending June 30, 2006, the USE LEVELS OR NUMBER OF PEOPLE the mayors proclaimed signaling the serious need for drug SIGNALING THE SERIOUS NEED IS also the “land where our brothers are dying U.S. prison and jail population increased to 2,245,189 people. The state prison population IMPRISONED, A NEW BOTTOM LINE addiction a broad public policy reform, an issue that ranks FOR DRUG POLICY REFORM, AN for others who don’t even care anymore.” Yes, increased by 3 percent, more than double the average annual growth since 2000. SHOULD BE USED TO ASSESS IF DRUG- health concern and endorsed in importance among the most ISSUE THAT RANKS IN this “sweet Rainbow way of life” does “come The Sentencing Project’s analysis of the Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics report, RELATED HARM IS REDUCED. specific health-related serious issues of the day,” said IMPORTANCE AMONG THE MOST with a price,” and it is often exacted by our own Prison and Jail Inmates at Midyear 2006, also reveals the following: measures. These include Daniel Abrahamson, Director of SERIOUS ISSUES OF THE DAY.” government on those, like Tom and Rollie, with · Increasing Parole Revocations Most Significant Contributor to Prison Growth greater access to drug Legal Affairs for Drug Policy — DANIEL ABRAHAMSON, the courage to exercise the rights that soldiers · U.S. World Leader in Incarceration treatment such as methadone and other maintenance therapies, Alliance. DRUG POLICY ALLIANCE. are allegedly dying to protect in Afghanistan and · Reentry – Record Number of Returning Prisoners elimination of the federal ban on funding sterile syringe access programs, Adopted resolutions become Iraq. · Extensive Racial/Ethnic Disparities in State Incarceration and establishment of prevention policies based on needs assessed at the official policy of the USCM, And like the vet in the song, we Rainbow · Sentencing Reforms Don’t Go Far Enough the local level. which meets every year to promote the best practices and most pressing foot soldiers were hated vehemently for Visit The Sentencing Project at www.sentencingproject.org The resolution also calls for using a greater percentage of drug war priorities of U.S. cities. The June 23-24 2007 event held in Los Angeles, “everything (we) stand for,” by people who had Download the Bureau of Justice Statistics report, Prison and Jail Inmates at Midyear 2006, funding to evaluate current programs’ efficacy and accountability. Rather California was the 75th Annual USCM Meeting. a completely different notion of what “standing at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/pjim06.htm than measure the success of U.S. drug policy by examining drug use Source: Drug Policy Alliance for” meant.

PAGE 14 www.november.org November Coalition - The Razor Wire November Coalition - The Razor Wire www.november.org PAGE 11 The Drug War — It’s Prisons, Poisons And Environmental Racism A New November Coalition ‘Family Album’ Display

n educational exhibit available to small or large groups and organizations that have public lobby space, this colorful, visual presentation and companion literature illuminates the intersection of the drug war, prison expansion and global environmental destruction. he United States hasn’t always been the world’s leading jailer, by snitching and informant systems. Police and prosecutors, who have Use our new display at local events, or create your own event at and now that we are, we aren’t any safer than before. traditionally worked hand in hand, nowadays have the power to charge your churches or libraries. New jails are being built in the middle of urban areas, disguised as and power to sentence, defying 'checks and balances' principles honored Coalition volunteers steadfastly illustrate the horrifying facts of a policy sky-scraping office buildings while new prisons are built or expanded in from our nation's foundation. so destructive that it’s produced a vast prison industrial complex and rural areas. The prison boom is doom to any community plan that would The power to punish — power that can't be scrutinized — leads global network of for-profit companies intertwined with police and military embrace a sustainable future. defense attorneys to counsel defendants to plead guilty; the government might. Mass incarceration doesn’t reduce crime, or make communities wins about 97% of drug cases brought to trial. The role judges play at Some volunteers, looking to build key alliances in the coming years, stronger. sentencing has been limited by legislators responding to a 'moral panic' coordinated a day of informational tabling at Earth Day events on April Prisons are not the ‘clean industry’ hired consultants promise, and driven by fear-mongering media and politicians, fueled by wealthy 21st & 22nd, 2007. The exhibit anchors and assures interaction with fall far short of the goals of economic prosperity local officials tout when conservatives intent on more policing and imprisonment of lower class others concerned for people and our environment. Consider putting the romancing their constituents. Horrible environmental impacts will face people. exhibit in regional libraries, civic clubs, office lobbies, churches, and at future generations — imprisoned or free. These methods of sentencing are under new scrutiny in higher courts, other public or private places where non-profit groups are welcomed. No New Prisons is a collaboration of citizens and groups opposing but the prison industrial complexes continue growing because the drug Contact us at [email protected], or see www.nonewprisons.org new prison construction and expansion. Everyone is invited to share war rages on. for details. and create resources for citizens just like you. For more info, see www.nonewprisons.org. Display in lobby of the Community Building, Spokane, WA How Did The United States Become The World's Leading Jailer? Broadside Text In the midst of the prosperous 1980's the federal government enticed (You can download the color broadside at www.november.org/projects/ state and local governments to adopt 'tough on crime' policies. New EarthFlyer.pdf.) policing tactics and sentencing schemes led to an increase of a million The November Coalition was founded in 1997 to warn fellow citizens about prisoners in less than a decade. Today there are over 7 million people in the destructive increase in prison populations in the United States caused by prison or some form of law enforcement control. more than 20 years of harsh drug sentencing laws and dubious policing techniques. People living in areas of persistent, historical urban poverty were The Coalition built alliances with groups all over the world because drug war imprisoned at rates that rival no other era or country. The expansion of injustice is global. prisons was far-reaching, involving every state and the federal Earth Day Festival, Spokane, WA, April 21, 2007 Drug war battles aren’t fought on the streets of the wealthy. Drugs, legal and government. With almost no public scrutiny, millions of people were illegal, are used in all classes of people, and at about the same rates. arrested and imprisoned. Prisons and jails aren’t built in upper-class neighborhoods either. So-called “Correctional Complexes” are being built in rural areas where workers are so How Has The War On Drugs Caused The Prison desperate for jobs they are reduced to working in warehouses for people. In Construction Boom? other eras, mass imprisonment employed ‘disposable populations’ or ‘undesirables’ Get 'tough on drugs' slogans led to laws that weren't smart. These as slave workers in concentration camps. 20-plus-year-old laws are unconstitutional, and were largely written with In Colombia and now Afghanistan, the people living gentle on the earth, the little thought to future oversight and accountability. Fiscally, drug laws sustainable farmers, can be sprayed with poisons that kill fish in streams, livestock, have drained resources away from social programs that were more Most new prisons are built in rural regions to house people from urban food crops and human life. Like the jobless and poor of the United States, people effective than prisons. areas. Pictured above is Wallens Ridge State Prison, a for-profit facility built who are economically vulnerable become easy prey for drug manufacturers. Not The drug war intensified under The Sentencing Reform Act (SRA) of and operated by the town of Wallens Ridge, VA, and featured in the unlike prison profiteers, the drug trade relies on desperate people who need jobs 1984 that gave law enforcement officials virtually unchecked power to documentary film Up The Ridge, A U.S. Prison Story (available from Holler To and an economic future. The Hood at www.appalshop.org/h2h/film) enforce federal drug sentencing laws. New laws handed this power to People can be convicted in broad drug conspiracies and sentenced to prison the police and prosecutors, but Congress failed to formalize effective for decades without any physical evidence presented in court. Drug war legal procedures for monitoring the new sentencing system. States By the 1990’s, the U.S. was opening on enforcement relies heavily on ‘bartered testimony,’ wherein the first people arrested adopted the same or portions of the federal experiment called 'sentencing average one new prison or jail in a group of drug-involved friends can ‘snitch’ their way to freedom by telling on reform.' every week. Today, the United States has others. Without a system of easily obtained plea bargains and convictions, prisons Long prison sentences for nonviolent drug offenders are the single could not be profitable. greatest multiplying factor behind the monumental increase of US prison the largest prison population in the Corporate profits increase sharply with the use of herbicide defoliants, a growing populations in the last 20 years. The book Lies, Damned Lies, and Drug world and the highest incarceration rate global military force, and steady expansion of multi-agency policing that fills an War Statistics, the only scientific analysis of the Office of National Drug in the world. It took America 160 years international network of prisons. Power to control large human populations, Control Policy (ONDCP) budget, proves a 30-year, steady increase in primarily poor classes of people, and the destruction of natural resources form a incarceration and its spiraling costs due to thoughtless and punitive drug to incarcerate its first million people, but steady and cozy weave in globalization strategy. war laws. just twelve years to incarcerate the The US Sentencing Commission can't monitor and review over 90% second million. — Justice Policy Institute. Children in Putumayo, Colombia painted this “before The drug war is institutionalized and devastating of the hidden policing-process anchored in drug-targeted communities and after” mural describing effects of U.S aerial coca environmental racism that needs urgent citizen action. fumigation on their communities.

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