Pubdate: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 Source: DrugSense Weekly (DSW) Website: http://www.drugsense.org HOT OFF THE 'NET GAO CONCERNS REGARDING RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH GAO-08-146T, October 10, 2007 GAO found thousands of allegations of abuse, some of which involved death, at residential treatment programs across the country and in American-owned and American-operated facilities abroad between the years 1990 and 2007. http://www.gao.gov/docsearch/abstract.php?rptno=GAO-08-146T - ---------------------------------- THE WAR ON POT - AMERICA'S $42 BILLION ANNUAL BOONDOGGLE By Rob Kampia What else could we spend $42 billion each year on? Health insurance for kids? Better paid teachers? It's our choice. http://alternet.org/drugreporter/64465/ - ---------------------------------- THE UN REVIEW OF GLOBAL POLICY ON ILLEGAL DRUGS An Advocacy Guide for Civil Society This advocacy guide, published by the International Drug Policy Consortium, serves as an introduction to the structure and operation of the UN drug control system, and describes the forthcoming process of review leading to the political meeting in 2009. It also introduces the advocacy themes that the IDPC will be working on throughout this process, and invites like-minded NGOs to become involved. http://www.drugpolicy.org/docUploads/100707idpc.pdf - ---------------------------------- CULTURAL BAGGAGE RADIO SHOW 10/10/07: Celebrating 6 Years of Drug Truth, Mike Smithson LEAP, Kevin Zeese, Bruce Mirken + Canada's PM, Marc Emery, Poppygate & more! http://drugtruth.net/007DTNaudio/FDBCB_101007.mp3 09/28/07: Sanho Tree situation in Colombia + Poppygate & Bruce Mirken Marijuana Policy Project http://drugtruth.net/007DTNaudio/FDBCB_092807.mp3 Listen Live Tuesdays 12.30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 MT & 9:30 AM PT at www.KPFT.org - ---------------------------------- GOP CANDIDATES COLD-SHOULDER MEDICINAL CANNABIS PATIENTS Giuliani: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJdc9ULT02k Huckabee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReVAk_IxLVM McCain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAlH1oZ0NfU Romney: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY6UTnS6Z-A - ---------------------------------- THE DRUG CZAR IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO LIE By Peter Guither Most people know that the "drug czar" -- the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) -- is an advocate for the government position regarding the drug war. But not everyone knows that he and his office are mandated to tell lies as part of their Congressional authorization. http://tinyurl.com/252ofy - ---------------------------------- AUTHOR SAYS LETTING KIDS DRINK EARLY REDUCES BINGING Stanton Peele says other cultures have figured it out. He points to Italy, Greece and Israel, where children are given small amounts of wine at religious celebrations or watered-down alcohol on special occasions. But many other experts say the psychologist is off base. "That's ridiculous," says Calvina Fay, executive director of the Drug Free America Foundation. "By allowing teens to drink," Fay says, "you are giving permission to your children to do harmful things." http://edition.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/09/27/kid.drinking/ - ---------------------------------- WHAT YOU CAN DO THIS WEEK CONTACT THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES Demand Action for Safe Access! As the presidential primaries get closer and closer, we need to know where all the candidates stand on important medical marijuana issues. Call, write, and ask the candidates in person on their campaign trail where they stand on medical marijuana. http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=5103 - ---------------------------------- STOP BUSH'S DRUG WAR DRAFT! Largely due to the unpopular war in Iraq, the U.S. Military is having trouble meeting its recruiting goals. To make up for the enlistment shortcomings, the Bush administration has loosened restrictions and is granting more so-called "character waivers" to allow more people with drug convictions to sign up. Meanwhile, President Bush and some of his friends in Congress support a law that has prevented 200,000 aspiring students from getting the financial aid they need to afford college just because they have drug convictions (most often for misdemeanor marijuana possession). Take action now and tell Congress to have the character it takes to give young people all the opportunities they need for success. Visit http://drugwardraft.com/ - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake