Pubdate: Fri, 21 Dec 2007 Source: DrugSense Weekly (DSW) Website: http://www.drugsense.org HOT OFF THE 'NET - --------------------------- ANALYSIS OF PLAN MEXICO Does the Merida Initiative Represent a New Direction for U.S.-Mexico Relations, or Does It Simply Refocus the Issue Elsewhere? By Laura Starr, research associate, with Maria Delle Donne, research associate, Council on Hemispheric Affairs, December 19, 2007 http://www.worldpress.org/Americas/3020.cfm - --------------------------- MIND THE GAP Fixing the unjust disparity in punishment between crack and cocaine powder By Jacob Sullum http://www.reason.com/news/show/123998.html - --------------------------- REFLECTING ON AN AMAZING CONFERENCE This year, the Drug Policy Alliance joined with five co-host organizations, the ACLU, the Harm Reduction Coalition, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, Marijuana Policy Project and Students for Sensible Drug Policy (who also hosted their 9th annual conference within the larger International Drug Policy Reform conference) as well as dozens of other partner groups, to bring together a stronger and more diverse population of people and issues. http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/121807conf.cfm - --------------------------- CENTURY OF LIES DPA Drug Conference Panel III, Ethan Nadelmann of DPA, Deborah Chapman, Katelyn Padgett, Dr. Carl Hartt, Terry Nelson of LEAP, Drug War Facts, Matt Elrod & Drug War "Carols Audio: http://drugtruth.net/007DTNaudio/COL_121807.mp3 - --------------------------- THE DOSE MAKES THE POISON, EVEN FOR MARIJUANA SMOKE By Jacob Sullum http://www.reason.com/blog/show/124017.html - --------------------------- RCMP RELEASES THE DRUG SITUATION REPORT - 2006 Prepared by the RCMP's Criminal Intelligence Program, the report describes the illicit drug trade in Canada in 2006. It is based on information and intelligence from investigations and seizures conducted by the RCMP and various Canadian agencies and departments involved in drug enforcement. http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/news/2007/2007_12_17_drug_report_e.htm - --------------------------- UN "DRUG CZAR" ANTONIO MARIA COSTA'S SPEECH IN NEW ORLEANS Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director, United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime AND Kasia Malinowska-Sempruch, International Harm Reduction Development Program Dir., Open Society Institute Video: http://www.youtube.com/HunCivLibUnion - --------------------------- LIZ KUCINICH TALKS DRUG REFORM WITH 22-YEAR-OLD MD PATIENT By Matt Simon, Huffington Post http://drugsense.org/url/20evITef - --------------------------- WHAT YOU CAN DO THIS WEEK WRITE A LETTER TO USA TODAY The war in Iraq, immigration, the economy and California's wildfires are topics that captured much of the nation's attention in 2007. As this year comes to an end, USA TODAY would like to hear what stories you thought were most important and why. Letters sent by Dec. 27 will be considered for an upcoming issue. Please include contact information and send to or fax to 703-854-2053. Submissions will be edited for accuracy, clarity and length. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake