Pubdate: Fri, 15 Dec 2006 Source: DrugSense Weekly (DSW) Section: Feature Article Website: http://www.drugsense.org/current.htm Author: Philippe Lucas DRUG PEACE IN 2007 Dear friends, It has long been argued that the most effective harm reduction measure is ending the costly and ineffective "War on Drugs." Because of the federal government's unflagging support of drug prohibition: . substance use is stigmatized, and users continue to face arrest; . needle-exchange is under-funded or otherwise blocked; . the spread of HIV/AIDS amongst substance users continues to expand; . substance use education and/or treatment is largely abstinence-based or unavailable; . research into approaches toward harm reduction is stymied. As we've all learned through experience, the most powerful harm reduction tool is education. At DrugSense, we're committed to making the most up-to-date online resources and drug war news available to the harm reduction community, including: a. The Media Awareness Project (http://www.mapinc.org), an archive of over 175,000 drug-related news stories that can be accessed through a powerful search engine or reviewed via our DrugSense Weekly Newsletter (http://www.drugsense.org/nl/2006/). b. Our Activism Center (http://www.mapinc.org/resource/maf.htm), where you can access useful information on how to get your story covered by the media. You then contact the outlets of your choice using our FREE Media Contact on Demand database (http://www.mapinc.org/mcod). c. The MAP OnAir event list (http://www.mapinc.org/onair) that allows your org to add its upcoming print, TV, and radio appearances, as well as find out about similar media appearances all over North America. d. Drug Policy Central (http://drugpolicycentral.com), which offers free web design, hosting, email discussion lists, and technical support to qualified non-profits. We currently host The National Harm Reduction Coalition, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), the National Alliance of Methadone Advocates, the November Coalition and so many more... All of these services are absolutely FREE of CHARGE, but they're not free to produce, so please consider giving to DrugSense this year by going to http://drugsense.org/donate and making a tax-deductible donation! Your check or money order can also be mailed to: 14252 Culver Drive #328 Irvine, CA 92604-0326 Please note that, as a DrugSense is a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit, your donation to DrugSense is tax deductible to the extent provided by law. Also, due to the generosity of a long time DrugSense funder we have secured a matching funds grant! This means that for a limited time anything you contribute to DrugSense and the Media Awareness Project will be matched, thus doubling the effective amount of your contribution. Let's make 2007 the year that we finally put an end to this ongoing war on our civil rights and personal liberties. Please support harm reduction and evidence-based drug policies. Give to DrugSense and help us to move towards a "drug peace" in 2007! - ----- Philippe Lucas is our Director of Communications. He is the founder and director of the Vancouver Island Compassion Society http://www.thevics.com , a Canadian non-profit therapeutic cannabis research and distribution center; and founder of Canadians for Safe Access http://www.safeaccess.ca , the nation's largest medicinal cannabis patients rights organization. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake