Regarding the article about industrial hemp [Herald-Sun, Nov. 30]: Efforts to legalize hemp gained force in September, 2003 when the Departments of Agriculture in all 50 states supported revisions to federal rules to allow "development of domestic industrial hemp production by American farmers and manufacturers." In Europe, much of the hemp fiber is used to make composites such as auto dashboards and door panels, not only because they are recyclable but because the hemp-molding process takes one minute as opposed to nine minutes with petroleum-based composites, a cost-saving in time and energy. Also, cross pollination with industrial hemp would put the U.S. marijuana growers out of business. How could the DEA or Congress object to that? The writer is vice chairwoman of the North American Industrial Hemp Council. Durham [end]
A Methamphetamine Primer Some street names: Meth, crank, poor man's cocaine, crystal, ice, glass, speed. Taking the drug can be called "tweaking" or "geeking." What methamphetamine looks like: The drug comes in various forms, such as liquid, white powder, chunky tablets, crystals or brightly colored pills. Ways of taking methamphetamine: Injecting, snorting, smoking, swallowing. Where the drug is made: Large clandestine labs produce much of the methamphetamine available in the United States. But a growing number of smaller labs, often run by an individual or a handful of people, are starting to compete for business in Georgia and elsewhere. These smaller labs often produce a more potent form of the drug. [continues 675 words]
Local Aids Group Seeks To Target Unsafe Behaviour The executive director of the Wood Buffalo HIV & Aids Society hopes a new study documenting the health practices of oilsands workers will lead to improved programs. The study, released today, World AIDS Day, consists of in-depth interviews with 10 oilsands workers between February 2002 and August 2003 in an attempt to "gain insight" into the experience of mobile workers. Lyn Gorman, executive director of the society, said the study is the first of its kind among mobile workers in the oilsands. [continues 533 words]
Just a month after the city of Cincinnati finalized a $4.5 million settlement to families of black males wrongfully killed by white police officers -- as well as others claiming racial profiling in traffic stops -- the city is again immersed in issues of race and a questionable police-related death. By now most Americans have seen the videotape of Nathaniel Jones being beaten repeatedly with clubs by a half dozen police officers. Jones, who weighed 342 pounds, had an enlarged heart and was intoxicated on cocaine and PCP, died from the stressful effects of the beating, according to the coroner's report. [continues 636 words]
The state Attorney General's office has named a special prosecutor to review the state police investigation into the office of Kenton County prosecutor Bill Crockett. George Moore, the commonwealth attorney for four Eastern Kentucky counties, has been appointed to review the matter, said Brian Wright, spokesman for the Kentucky Attorney General's office. "He is looking into -- all aspects of the case to determine how to proceed," Wright said. "We do not want to make any comments that in any way would limit the scope of the review. -- We don't know what we're going to find when we get there or what it would be limited to." [continues 495 words]