DrugSense FOCUS Alert #237 Mar 14, 2002 LET THE VOTERS DECIDE PLEASE COPY AND DISTRIBUTE DrugSense FOCUS Alert #237 Mar 14 2002 As many readers already know, the triumvirate of Peter Lewis, George Soros and John Sperling have extended their plans for helping Right To Treatment ballot initiatives. They are targeting Nov 2002 for voters in Ohio, Michigan and Florida to vote on their proposal, a similar version of which has already passed in California and Arizona. As the petition signature drive heats up with less than eight months remaining before Election Day, the opponents of the trio's proposal are speaking up, and their make-up is predictable. Police officers, district attorneys and governor appointed Drug Czars are all bemoaning that allowing the initiatives to pass will 'de-facto legalize all drug use'. Further they suggest that it tantamount to a 'free pass' through the justice system while ignoring the fact that the accused will be required to complete a court supervised treatment program with the threat of jail constantly in play. The Columbus Dispatch had a lengthy piece this past Sunday that featured quotes from both sides with a clear lean to opponent's quotes. Further they ignored the already proven revelations from last fall that demonstrate direct and illegal tactics being taken by Gov Taft in Ohio, such as using government offices and resources to directly oppose a constitutional amendment proposal. Thanks for your effort and support. WRITE A LETTER TODAY It's not what others do it's what YOU do PLEASE SEND US A COPY OF YOUR LETTER OR TELL US WHAT YOU DID (Letter, Phone, fax etc.) Please post a copy your letter or report your action to the sent letter list () if you are subscribed, or by E-mailing a copy directly to if you are not subscribed. Your letter will then be forwarded to the list with so others can learn from your efforts and be motivated to follow suit. Subscribing to the Sent LTE list () will help you to review other sent LTEs and perhaps come up with new ideas or approaches as well as keeping others aware of your important writing efforts. To subscribe to the Sent LTE mailing list see http://www.mapinc.org/lists/index.htm and/or http://www.mapinc.org/lists/index.htm#form This is VERY IMPORTANT as it is one very effective way of gauging our impact and effectiveness. CONTACT INFO Source: Columbus Dispatch (OH) Copyright: 2002 The Columbus Dispatch Contact: Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/93 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ORIGINAL ARTICLE US OH: Supporters Ready To Press Plan For Drug Offenders URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n444/a11.html Newshawk: Mary Jane Borden Pubdate: Sun, 10 Mar 2002 Source: Columbus Dispatch (OH) Copyright: 2002 The Columbus Dispatch Contact: Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/93 Author: Alan Johnson Cited: Drug Policy Alliance http://www.drugpolicyalliance.org/ Ohio Campaign for New Drug Policies http://www.drugreform.org/ohio Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association http://www.iwaynet.net/~opaa/ SUPPORTERS READY TO PRESS PLAN FOR DRUG OFFENDERS They Are Rich Beyond Imagination, Mega-Philanthropists With A Bagful Of Eccentricities. Although Peter B. Lewis, George Soros and John G. Sperling don't share political or personal philosophies, they are united on one front: They passionately oppose the war on drugs -- "a grave injustice in American society." Since 1996, the well-heeled trio have used their deep pockets to fund a national crusade to reform drug laws. Using 19 ballot issues in 11 states from California to Maine, the three have fought drug laws -- and won 17 times. Now their campaign -- this time in the form of a proposal to substitute treatment for jail time for nonviolent, first- and second-time drug offenders -- has come to the heartland. The issue, which would appropriate $38 million in state money annually for drug treatment, is likely to be on the Nov. 5 ballot as a proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution. The campaign is expected to gain visibility this week as supporters seek backing from minority lawmakers and leaders. Advocates of the proposal contend that Ohio taxpayers would save $85 million annually by diverting more than 4,600 people to treatment programs instead of jail. Voters in Florida, Michigan and Washington, D.C., might see similar ballot issues this fall. The Ohio proposal could turn into a donnybrook because Gov. Bob Taft, most of Ohio's political establishment and the law-enforcement community vigorously oppose it. "It's just not necessary," said Taft, labeling the proposal "de-facto legalization, not just of marijuana but a whole range of other drugs -- crack and cocaine and LSD." (SNIP) The remainder of this article can be viewed by clicking the URL above. ADDITIONAL INFO to help you in your letter writing efforts Writer's Resources http://www.mapinc.org/resource/ SAMPLE LETTER (SENT) NOTE: If you choose to use this letter as a model please modify it at least somewhat so that the paper does not receive numerous copies of the same letter and so that the original author receives credit for his/her work. To the editors of Columbus Dispatch: Here in Florida we watch with interest the attempt by Ohio citizens to change current drug policy to one that favors health care alternatives over strict criminal sanctions. This over the overt and also covert opposition of Governor Taft. In our own state, Governor Jeb Bush raises similar complaints though refusing to speak publicly on the matter since his daughter's arrest in January on felony drug charges and her subsequent direct routing into drug treatment rather than jail. As in Ohio, Bush and Florida Drug Czar Jim McDonough make the astounding suggestion that this is simply a 'ploy' which will lead 'to the full legalization of ALL drugs" Hyperbole at best, deliberate falsehoods at worst. Statements like these are patently absurd since they imply there are a majority of citizens and/or legislators who favor full legalization. If this is so then current legislators are even more out of the loop regarding public sentiment than initially suggested. Quite simply what Peter Lewis and his associates are doing is forcing the legislatures of both states to hear exactly what the voting public thinks. And those who might complain about the out-of-state funding can take solace in knowing that the White House Drug Czar's office has an annual advertising budget that is literally 60 times the size of the initiative's backers,, and it's theme is to keep laws just the way they are now. It's time to let the voters examine both sides and make their own choice. Respectfully submitted, Stephen Heath Drug Policy Forum of Florida Clearwater FL http://www.drugsense.org/dpffl/ TO SUBSCRIBE, UNSUBSCRIBE, OR UPDATE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS: Please utilize the following URLs http://www.drugsense.org/hurry.htm http://www.drugsense.org/unsub.htm We wish to thank all our contributors, editors, Newshawks and letter writing activists. NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. REMINDER: Please help MAP find news articles. Details at http://www.mapinc.org/hawk.htm = NOW YOU CAN DONATE TO DRUGSENSE ONLINE AND IT'S TAX DEDUCTIBLE DrugSense provides many services to at no charge BUT THEY ARE NOT FREE TO PRODUCE. We incur many costs in creating our many and varied services. If you are able to help by contributing to the DrugSense effort visit our convenient donation web site at http://www.drugsense.org/donate.htm -OR- Mail in your contribution. Make checks payable to MAP Inc. send your contribution to: The Media Awareness Project (MAP) Inc. d/b/a DrugSense PO Box 651 Porterville, CA 93258 (800) 266 5759 http://www.mapinc.org/ http://www.drugsense.org/ Just DO It!! Prepared by Stephen Heath DrugSense FOCUS Alert Specialist

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