““Who would believe that a democratic Who would believe that a democratic

government would pursue for eight decades government would pursue for eight decades a failed policy that produced tens of millions a failed policy that produced tens of millions

of victims and trillions of dollars of illicit of victims and trillions of dollars of illicit profits for drug dealers, cost taxpayers profits for drug dealers, cost taxpayers

hundreds of billions of dollars, increased hundreds of billions of dollars, increased crime and destroyed inner cities, fostered crime and destroyed inner cities, fostered widespread corruption and violations of widespread corruption and violations of human rights - and all with no success in human rights - and all with no success in

achieving the stated and unattainable achieving the stated and unattainable objective of a drug free America?”objective of a drug free America?”

- Milton Friedman,  winner of 1976 Nobel- Milton Friedman,  winner of 1976 NobelMemorial Prize for economic scienceMemorial Prize for economic science

Drug War: How We Got Into This Drug War: How We Got Into This Mess and the Special Interests That Mess and the Special Interests That

Keep Us Here Keep Us Here

Suzanne WillsSuzanne WillsDrug Policy Forum of Drug Policy Forum of

TexasTexas

Email - suzy@dpft.orgEmail - suzy@dpft.orgSlides created by Nathan KohlerSlides created by Nathan Kohler

Mission: 

To provide scientific information and expert opinion about drugs and to suggest a path to better policies. 

http://www.dpft.org/

1906 Pure Food & Drugs Act1906 Pure Food & Drugs Act

U. S. Postal Service commemorative stamp U. S. Postal Service commemorative stamp issuedissued

January 15, 1998.January 15, 1998.

George Washingtonreportedly used laudanumto ease the pain causedby his ill fitting dentures.

It was easily available until1914.

45% alcohol with 2.964 grams of opium per fluid ounce 

http://wings.buffalo.edu/aru/preprohibition.htm

Source: Norton Mezvinsky, "The White Ribbon Reform, 1874-1920”

In 1910 there were 12,000 temperance leagues with 248,343 members.By 1920 membership had risen to 345,949.

Dr. Hamilton Wright

– Set out to eradicate opium use– Harrison Narcotics Act– The creation of addict as a criminal– Was a severe alcoholic- Supported by temperance movement- Financially supported by wife, Elizabeth Washburn Wright

http://imagebase.lib.vt.edu/browse.php?folio_ID=/palmer/kn/moon

Virginia Tech Palmer Collection

Alcohol still, circa 1925

Harry J. Anslinger, Commissioner of Federal Bureau of Narcotics, 1930-1962

"... the primary reason "... the primary reason toto

outlaw marijuana is it’soutlaw marijuana is it’s

effect on the effect on the degeneratedegenerate

races." 1937races." 1937

http://www.conquestdesign.com/uncler/index.htmlhttp://www.conquestdesign.com/uncler/index.html

Reefer Madness, was produced in1936 with the close collaborationof the Bureau of Narcotics.

- Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 ‘…to levy a token tax of approx. $1 on all buyers, sellers, importers, growers, physicians, veterinarians, and any others who deal in marijuana commercially, prescribe it professionally, or possess it.’ - 5 years prison and/or $2000 fine

- Doctors had to report to Bureau of Narcotics on patients or both would be fined/ jailed - Made marijuana unprofitable as a unprofitable as a pharmaceuticalpharmaceutical productproduct

Crimes of Indiscretion: Marijuana Arrests in the United States

By Jon B. Gettman, Ph.D.

Jeffrey A. MironVisiting Professor of EconomicsHarvard University

http://prohibitioncosts.org/mironreport.html

Cannabis prohibition costs: Law enforcement- $7.7 billionLost tax revenue: $2.4-$6.2 billion

LE-$273.71 millionLost tax-$46.6-$59.3 million

June, 05

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Drug Enforcement Administration

_______________________________________ ) In The Matter Of )

) Docket No. 86-22 MARIJUANA RESCHEDULING PETITION ) ______________________________________)

OPINION AND RECOMMENDED RULING, FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND DECISION OF

Administrative LAW JUDGE.

FRANCIS L. YOUNG, Administrative Law Judge

DATED: SEP 6 1988

……There is no record in the extensive medical literature describingThere is no record in the extensive medical literature describing

a proven, documented cannabis-induced fatality. a proven, documented cannabis-induced fatality.

……Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeuticallyMarijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically

active substances known to man. active substances known to man.

“Oncology” Vol. 13, No. 12 (December 1999)

““In several states, marijuanaIn several states, marijuana

smoking exceeds tobaccosmoking exceeds tobacco

smoking among youngsmoking among young

people….”people….”

John WaltersJohn Walters

Director of the Office of National DrugDirector of the Office of National Drug

Control Policy (the drug czar)Control Policy (the drug czar)

National Review, September, 2004National Review, September, 2004

Fumigated Fumigated food crops in food crops in Colombia.Colombia.

Photo by Sanho Photo by Sanho Tree, Institute for Tree, Institute for Policy Studies.Policy Studies.

Tobacco kills over Tobacco kills over 400,000 people in 400,000 people in the U.S. every the U.S. every year and millions year and millions more worldwide.more worldwide.

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/glance/http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/glance/hmrt.htmhmrt.htm

Murder rate, Dallas, TX, 2004: 20 per 100,000. Murder rate, Dallas, TX, 2004: 20 per 100,000.

Dallas Morning News Jan. 16, 2005Dallas Morning News Jan. 16, 2005

Http://www.hero.ac.uk/uk/studying/archives/2002/no_politics__please1376.cfm

Inscribed: To Governor Ray Shafer ...fromInscribed: To Governor Ray Shafer ...from

his devoted friend Richard M. Nixon his devoted friend Richard M. Nixon

http://shafer.allegheny.edu/figures.htmlhttp://shafer.allegheny.edu/figures.html

The Shafer Commission issued its report on marijuana policy on March

22, 1972- Washington, DC - A Presidential commission's Washington, DC - A Presidential commission's

report recommends that marijuana be report recommends that marijuana be legalized. The Commission concluded that legalized. The Commission concluded that marijuana users "are essentially marijuana users "are essentially indistinguishable from their nonmarijuana indistinguishable from their nonmarijuana using peers by any fundamental criterion using peers by any fundamental criterion other than their marijuana use." They found other than their marijuana use." They found that, that, "Neither the marijuana user nor the drug "Neither the marijuana user nor the drug itself can be said to constitute a danger to itself can be said to constitute a danger to public safety."public safety." The Commission recommended The Commission recommended "Decriminalization of possession of marijuana "Decriminalization of possession of marijuana for personal use on both the state and federal for personal use on both the state and federal levels." levels."

The Report of the National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse

Marihuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding

Commissioned by President Richard M. Nixon, March, 1972

"...the creation of ever-larger bureaucracies, ever-increasing expenditure of monies and an outpouring of publicity so that the public will know that 'something' is being done. Perhaps the major consequence of this ... has been the creation of a vested interest in the perpetuation of the problem among those dispensing and receiving funds ... In the course of well-meaning efforts to do something about drug use, this society may have inadvertently institutionalized it as a never-ending project." 

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/health/mg18524921.300

(2002)(2002)(1985)(1985)

http://www.unodc.org/pdf/trends2003_www_E.pdfhttp://www.unodc.org/pdf/trends2003_www_E.pdf

The intoxication instinct

New Scientist vol 184 issue 2473 - 13 November 2004, page 32

http://www.omakchronicle.com/news/meth/meth1.html

Okanogan County, Washington , Feb. 2005

Meth lab, 2005

Barry McCaffreyBarry McCaffrey

Director of Office of Director of Office of National National Drug Control Policy, 1996 - Drug Control Policy, 1996 - 20012001

U.S. Prisons -U.S. Prisons -

More than More than $55,000,000,000 $55,000,000,000 a yeara year More than More than 2,000,000 2,000,000 prisonersprisoners

Source: 2003 ONDCP National Drug Control StrategySource: 2003 ONDCP National Drug Control Strategy

2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health

Percent of high school seniors reporting they couldobtain drugs fairly easily or very easily, 2003

Marijuana 87.1 %

Amphetamines 55.0  

Cocaine 43.3  

Crack 35.3  

Barbiturate 35.3  

LSD 33.6  

Tranquilizers 29.8  

Heroin 27.9  

Crystal methamphetamine 26.1  

PCP 21.9  

Amyl/butyl nitrites 19.7  

Source: University of Michigan, Monitoring the Future National Results on Adolescent Drug Use: Overview of Key Findings 2003

, 2004

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/dcf/du.htm#Availabilityhttp://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/dcf/du.htm#Availability

Elvy MusikkaElvy Musikka

Glaucoma Glaucoma patientpatient

George McMahonGeorge McMahon

Nail Patella SyndromeNail Patella SyndromeIrvin Rosenfeld-Bone disorderIrvin Rosenfeld-Bone disorder

Corrine Millet-glaucoma patientCorrine Millet-glaucoma patient

Barb Douglass-multiple sclerosisBarb Douglass-multiple sclerosis

patientpatient

Two patients maintain anonymity.Two patients maintain anonymity.

Dr. Marcus ConantDr. Marcus Conant

Lead plaintiffLead plaintiff

Conant vs. McCaffreyConant vs. McCaffrey

(later vs. Walters)(later vs. Walters)

established physicians’established physicians’

right to discuss Cannabisright to discuss Cannabis

with their patients.with their patients.

“…despite a congressional finding to the contrary, marijuana does have valid therapeutic purposes."

“In the early days of the Republic, it would have been unthinkable that Congress could prohibit the local cultivation, possession, and consumption of marijuana.” Justice Clarence Thomas

Gonzales v. Raich, June 6, 2005

““The undertreatment of pain in The undertreatment of pain in hospitalshospitals

is absolutely medieval.”is absolutely medieval.”Dr. Russell PortnoyDr. Russell Portnoy

Pain Center at Sloan Pain Center at Sloan KetteringKettering

Memorial HospitalMemorial Hospital

“…“…The use of pain medicationsThe use of pain medications

has become a crime story whenhas become a crime story when

it…should be a healthcare story.”it…should be a healthcare story.”Dr. David E. Joranson, UniversityDr. David E. Joranson, University

of Wisconsin Medical School of Wisconsin Medical School

“Return on Investment in Needle Exchange and Syringe Programs”

for the decade of the 1990s

Cases of disease avoided:HIV 25,000Hepatitis C 21,000

Financial return:Investment US$ 71.8 millionSavings US$ 1.3-4.1 billion

NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS:SENDING THE RIGHT MESSAGEhttp://www.bakerinstitute.org/Pubs/wp_needles.pdf

Heroin Heroin injection injection has often has often been the been the ignition ignition point for point for AIDS AIDS outbreaks outbreaks in third in third world world cities.cities.

Table 2. Changes in the patients' status in the Swiss heroin study (n Table 2. Changes in the patients' status in the Swiss heroin study (n = 237)= 237)

http://www.ccbh.nl/rapport_engels_html/chapter1/16.htmhttp://www.ccbh.nl/rapport_engels_html/chapter1/16.htm

The clinic in Bern, Switzerland is in this buildingThe clinic in Bern, Switzerland is in this building

"I know of no other "I know of no other crime crime

prevention program prevention program with with

such a big reduction in such a big reduction in

theft and other serious theft and other serious

crimes." crimes." Martin Killias,Martin Killias,

Institute of Police Institute of Police Science and Science and Criminology Criminology

www.nagoya-customs.go.jp/. ../images/heroinwww.nagoya-customs.go.jp/. ../images/heroin..

In year 2000 dollars In year 2000 dollars

55 pounds of heroin 55 pounds of heroin

was worth was worth $128,000 $128,000

on the legal on the legal market. market.

It was worth $3.7 It was worth $3.7

million on the million on the illegal illegal

market.market.

Source: St. Petersburg TimesSource: St. Petersburg Times

July 31, 2001July 31, 2001

Eddie Ellison, the former operationalEddie Ellison, the former operationalhead of Scotland Yard's Drug Squadhead of Scotland Yard's Drug Squad

““I find that a policy of prohibition fails I find that a policy of prohibition fails to to

deliver reductions in drug use or deliver reductions in drug use or supply, supply,

provides incentives for increased provides incentives for increased crime, crime,

profits for criminal endeavour and an profits for criminal endeavour and an

environment of mistrust and environment of mistrust and ignorance that ignorance that

is socially and educationally counter-is socially and educationally counter-

productive. “productive. “

http://eddie.gn.apc.org/index.php?pID=1http://eddie.gn.apc.org/index.php?pID=1

GW pharmaceuticals is developing a portfolio of cannabis medicines the first of which, “Sativex®”, received an Approval with Conditions from Health Canada in April 2005 for use as an adjunctive treatment for the symptom relief of neuropathic pain in Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

http://www.gwpharm.com/

Special InterestsSpecial Interests All federal agenciesAll federal agencies The defense industryThe defense industry The pharmaceutical The pharmaceutical industryindustry The advertising industry and the mediaThe advertising industry and the media The prison industryThe prison industry The tobacco and liquor industriesThe tobacco and liquor industries The drug testing industryThe drug testing industry The drug treatment industryThe drug treatment industry The home security industryThe home security industry The timber industryThe timber industry The international illegal drug cartelsThe international illegal drug cartels

The defense industryThe defense industry

Plan ColombiaPlan Colombia

now thenow the

Andean Counterdrug InitiativeAndean Counterdrug Initiative

A farmer dries his cocaine base in the sun in Monserrate. Photograph by Carlos Villalón A farmer dries his cocaine base in the sun in Monserrate. Photograph by Carlos Villalón http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0407/feature2/zoom4.html

The Oregonian, 24 Feb. 2005The Oregonian, 24 Feb. 2005

2003 prices:Coca base-$360/lb.Whsl cocaine-$17,000/lb.Retail cocaine-$48,000/lb.

2000 Plan Colombia bill-$1.3 2000 Plan Colombia bill-$1.3 billionbillion

$1.1 billion to buy$1.1 billion to buy

helicoptershelicopters

$200 million to $200 million to

spray crops withspray crops with

glyphosateglyphosate

Bell’s Huey IIBell’s Huey II

Sikorsky’s Black HawkSikorsky’s Black Hawk

Each year the coca crop and the fumigationEach year the coca crop and the fumigation

campaign move further into the Amazon junglecampaign move further into the Amazon jungle

with disastrous results to its ecosystem.with disastrous results to its ecosystem.

Destroyed peanut crop in Destroyed peanut crop in Colombia.Colombia.

http://www.nadir.org/nadir/initiativ/agp/free/colombia/presspackhttp://www.nadir.org/nadir/initiativ/agp/free/colombia/presspack

500-mile oil pipeline, partly owned by 500-mile oil pipeline, partly owned by

Occidental Petroleum Company of California Occidental Petroleum Company of California

www.amazonwatch.orgwww.amazonwatch.org

"Thus far we have"Thus far we have

not seen a changenot seen a change

of availability in theof availability in the

United States." United States."

John Walters, August 4, 2004John Walters, August 4, 2004

Congressional Research Service Reports for Congress

Under-Secretary-General forUnder-Secretary-General for

Humanitarian Affairs andHumanitarian Affairs and

Emergency Relief CoordinatorEmergency Relief Coordinator

Jan Egeland addressing the Jan Egeland addressing the

Security Council.Security Council.

Jan Egeland has described Colombia as “the Jan Egeland has described Colombia as “the biggest biggest

humanitarian problem, human rights problem,humanitarian problem, human rights problem,

the biggest conflict in the Western Hemisphere.”the biggest conflict in the Western Hemisphere.”

The pharmaceutical industryThe pharmaceutical industry

Medical marijuanaMedical marijuana

James E. BurkeJames E. BurkeChairman of Johnson & Johnson 1976-Chairman of Johnson & Johnson 1976-

19891989Chairman of PDFA 1989-2002Chairman of PDFA 1989-2002

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Comcast CableConsumer Healthcare Products Association

MetLife FoundationPurdue Pharma L.P.

Cardinal Health FoundationEastman Kodak Company

Johnson & JohnsonJoseph Drown Foundation

Major League BaseballThe Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, Inc.

The Procter & Gamble Fund

BASF CorporationBayer Corporation

F. M. Kirby FoundationGE Foundation

General Motors FoundationGlaxoSmithKlineKimberly-Clark

McNeil Consumer ProductsMerrill Lynch & Co., Foundation, Inc.

Perrigo CompanyPfizer Inc.

Schering-Plough FoundationWyeth Consumer Healthcare Division

http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/About/Partners/list.aspxMarch 30, 2005

“Drugmakers go furthest to sway Congress”

Jim Drinkard, USA TODAY, 26 April 2005

“’“’PhRMA’,” this lobby has a death grip on Congress”.PhRMA’,” this lobby has a death grip on Congress”.Summer, 2002Summer, 2002

“Drugmakers go furthest to sway

Congress” Jim Drinkard, USA

TODAY, 26 April 2005

Pharmaceutical corporations save millions of dollars Pharmaceutical corporations save millions of dollars every day that they avoid generic competition.every day that they avoid generic competition.

After 19 major surgeries and After 19 major surgeries and

hundreds of pharmaceuticalhundreds of pharmaceutical

drugs, George McMahon nowdrugs, George McMahon now

uses only Cannabis to controluses only Cannabis to control

his Nail Patella Syndrome.his Nail Patella Syndrome.

62 62

62%62%71%71%

77%77%

70%70%

79%79%

83%83%

Fall, 2004Fall, 2004

Medical marijuana?Medical marijuana?

Favor-75%Favor-75%

Oppose-19%Oppose-19%

DK-6%DK-6%

The advertising industry The advertising industry and the mediaand the media

““On strategy” content and theOn strategy” content and the

National Youth Anti-Drug National Youth Anti-Drug CampaignCampaign

November 14, 1996 November 14, 1996 meeting at the offices meeting at the offices of then drug czar of then drug czar Gen. Barry McCaffrey:Gen. Barry McCaffrey:

Drug Enforcement AdministrationDrug Enforcement AdministrationDepartment of JusticeDepartment of JusticeWhite House Office of Drug Control PolicyWhite House Office of Drug Control PolicyDepartment of TreasuryDepartment of TreasuryDepartment of EducationDepartment of EducationDepartment of Health and Human ServicesDepartment of Health and Human ServicesThe White HouseThe White HouseEight senior executives from private pro-drug Eight senior executives from private pro-drug

war groups, including The Partnership for a war groups, including The Partnership for a Drug Free AmericaDrug Free America

The principal purpose of ONDCP is to establish policies, priorities, and goals for the Nation's drug control program. To achieve this, ONDCP is charged with producing the National Drug Control Strategy. The Strategy directs the Nation's anti-drug efforts and establishes a program, a budget, and guidelines for cooperation among Federal, State, and local entities.

http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/policy/ndcs05/

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America is a nonprofit coalition ....

The Partnership’s research-based, educational campaigns are disseminated through all forms of media, including TV, radio and print advertisements and over the Internet.

Comcast CableConsumer Healthcare Products

AssociationMetLife FoundationPurdue Pharma L.P.

http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/About/Partners/list.aspxMarch, 2005

ParadeParade received more received more

than any other than any other publicationpublication

for “on strategy” for “on strategy” messagesmessages

in its content.in its content.

“Drugstory.org facilitates contacts with experts around the country who can answer writers' questions about substance abuse. “

http://drugstory.org/

Sponsored by the Office of National Drug Control Policy

Advertising Hall of Advertising Hall of AchievementAchievement

2003 Photo Gallery2003 Photo Gallery

First on the left is Stephen Pasierb, President

Partnership for a Drug-Free America

GAO ANTI-DRUG MEDIA CAMPAIGN March 2005

http://www.csdp.org/research/d05175.pd

The prison industryThe prison industry

5% of the world’s people5% of the world’s people

25% of the world’s prisoners25% of the world’s prisoners

http://www.aca.org/Conferences/http://www.aca.org/Conferences/

   Cromwell Architects Engineers Cromwell Architects Engineers Val Verde County Jail FacilityVal Verde County Jail Facility

Del Rio, TexasDel Rio, Texas

http://www.corrections.com/http://www.corrections.com/

Holliday unit, Texas prison system, Huntsville 

Unit Locations

Of the 55,183 Texas prisoners Of the 55,183 Texas prisoners returned to their homes during 2001, returned to their homes during 2001, 59% returned to just 5 counties.59% returned to just 5 counties.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Harris Dallas Tarrant Bexar Travis

Wackenhut Corrections Wackenhut Corrections CorporationCorporation

“ “In In Lockhart, TexasLockhart, Texas, we , we operate work program operate work program facilities for the Texas facilities for the Texas Department of Criminal Department of Criminal Justice-Parole Division. As Justice-Parole Division. As there is an there is an inverse relationship between inverse relationship between marketable job skills and the marketable job skills and the incidence of incarceration, we incidence of incarceration, we have recruited private have recruited private industry to establish factories industry to establish factories within the facilities, train within the facilities, train offenders in appropriate skills, offenders in appropriate skills, and pay them for their labor and pay them for their labor under the Prison Industry under the Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP) program. “Program (PIECP) program. “

Source: www.wcc-corrections.comSource: www.wcc-corrections.com

http://www.prisonpolicy.org/graphs/privateprisons19872001.shtmlhttp://www.prisonpolicy.org/graphs/privateprisons19872001.shtml

“ “Today, CCA is the Today, CCA is the sixth largest sixth largest corrections system corrections system in the country, in the country, coming just after coming just after Texas, California, Texas, California, the federal the federal government, New government, New York, and Florida.”York, and Florida.”

Average sentences for federal Average sentences for federal convictionsconvictions

(in months)(in months)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Drugtrafficking

Manslaughter Assault Sexual abuse

Report of American Bar Association Justice Kennedy Commission, June 2004Report of American Bar Association Justice Kennedy Commission, June 2004

72.772.7

34.334.337.737.7

65.265.2

Loren Loren PoguePogue

22 years for failing to 22 years for failing to

stop the sale of a piecestop the sale of a piece

of real estate from a paidof real estate from a paid

informant to under-coverinformant to under-cover

DEA officers after they DEA officers after they saidsaid

they would build anthey would build an

airstrip and fly in drugs.airstrip and fly in drugs.

Now held in the FederalNow held in the Federal

Medical Center in Ft. Medical Center in Ft. Worth.Worth.http://www.hr95.org/hr95faces.htmlhttp://www.hr95.org/hr95faces.html

http://drugsense.org/temp/AXPeaceXPlanX75XDPI.pdf

World rank in public safety World rank in public safety indicatorsindicators

(Higher rank indicates greater public safety)(Higher rank indicates greater public safety)Source: Economic and social data ranking, European Institute of Source: Economic and social data ranking, European Institute of

Japanese StudiesJapanese Studies

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

UK Netherlands USA

HomicidesAssaultsThefts

Canada Switzerland

http://www.prisonpolicy.org/graphs/illiteracy.shtmlhttp://www.prisonpolicy.org/graphs/illiteracy.shtml

Clarence Aaron Clarence Aaron

Serving threeServing three

consecutive lifeconsecutive life

sentences withoutsentences without

possibility of parole for possibility of parole for

introducing a friend tointroducing a friend to

a drug dealer.a drug dealer.

http://www.hr95.org/hr95faces.htmlhttp://www.hr95.org/hr95faces.html

Ohio Department of Corrections

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/asylums/etc/synopsis.html

Solitary confinement units, aka "Administrative segregation"

Ohio's prison system is at the forefront of improving conditions for mentally ill prisoners.

HIV in Prisons and Jails, 2002

U.S. Department of Justice · Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Statistics

Danielle MetzDanielle Metz

Serving 3 LIFE sentencesServing 3 LIFE sentences

+ 20 years + 20 years

“…“…They didn't want meThey didn't want me

for anything… theyfor anything… they

wanted my husband…wanted my husband…

I couldn't tell them whatI couldn't tell them whatI did not know."I did not know."

http://www.hr95.org/hr95faces.htmlhttp://www.hr95.org/hr95faces.html

African-Americans as a % of:African-Americans as a % of:

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

USpopulation

Drug users Drugsellers

Arrested-drugs

Sentenced-drugs

Federalprisoners

12.3 1318

38

74

42

http://www.prisonpolicy.org/articles/notequal.shtmlhttp://www.prisonpolicy.org/articles/notequal.shtml

http://www.prisonpolicy.org/graphs/juveniles.shtmlhttp://www.prisonpolicy.org/graphs/juveniles.shtml

164,222 inmatesJune, 2003

Texas spends $1.45 million a day keeping adult drug

offenders locked up. Robert Bryce, Salon , Aug. 24, 1999

Texas prisoners per 100,000 Texas prisoners per 100,000 populationpopulation

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

1970 1980 1990 2000 2004

Texas Tough: Three Years LaterTexas Tough: Three Years Laterby Vincent Schiraldi & Jason Ziedenbergby Vincent Schiraldi & Jason Ziedenberg

http://www.justicepolicy.org/article.php?id=134http://www.justicepolicy.org/article.php?id=134

Texas prisoners by offense Texas prisoners by offense

Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice, August, 2002Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice, August, 2002

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Violent Property Drugs Other

46%46%

19%19%

24%24%

11%11%

Female prisoners by offense Female prisoners by offense Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice, August, 2002Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice, August, 2002

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Violent Property Drugs Other

28.5%

24.4%

37.3%

9.8%

General population per 2000 censusGeneral population per 2000 censusPrison population per Texas Dept of Criminal Prison population per Texas Dept of Criminal

Justice,Justice, August 2002 August 2002

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Whitenon-Hisp

Hispanic African-Am

Other

Gen. pop.Prisoners

52.4%52.4%

11.511.5%%

32%32%

4.1%4.1%

31%31%27%27%

4141%%

1%1%

Inmates incarcerated for a drug offense Inmates incarcerated for a drug offense Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice, August, 2004Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice, August, 2004

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Black Hispanic White Other

49.5%

25.3%

7.8%

17.4%

JUSTICE POLICY INSTITUTE POLICY BRIEF: RACE AND IMPRISONMENT IN TEXASFebruary, 2005

““Our resources are Our resources are misspent,misspent,

our punishments too our punishments too severe,severe,

our sentences too long.”our sentences too long.”

Supreme Court Justice Supreme Court Justice

Anthony Kennedy to the Anthony Kennedy to the

American Bar American Bar Association,Association,

August, 2003August, 2003

Essential public policy objectives -

Enhanced public order and reduced crime.   

Improved public health.    Protection of children. Efficient use of scarce public

resources. The War on Drugs has not only failed to

fulfill any of these objectives, but also has

exacerbated the very problems it was designed to

address. King County Washington Bar Association, Drug Policy Project, 2001

RESOLUTION: State Regulation and Control of Psychoactive Substances

Therefore, the King County Bar Association resolves that:

The Washington State Legislature should establish a special consultative Body… to provide specific recommendations for legislation to establish regulatory systems and structures for the State of Washington to control psychoactive substances that are currently produced and distributed exclusively through illegal markets….

ADOPTED this 19th day of January, 2005.

Signatories to the resolution adopted the 19th day of January, 2005 include:

The Washington State Bar AssociationThe Washington State Medical AssociationThe Washington Society of Addiction MedicineThe Washington State Psychiatric AssociationThe Washington Academy of Family PhysiciansThe Washington State Pharmacy AssociationThe Church Council of Greater SeattleThe Seattle League of Women Voters

The Drug Policy Forum of Texas is an educational organization with no legislative agenda.

For sources contact Suzanne Wills, suzy@dpft.org.