HOLLYWOOD - The fall TV season is still a few months away, but already concerns have been raised over the pilot episode for a new comedy scheduled by Fox that derives some of its humor from a group of teens smoking marijuana. Although they have not yet seen "Feelin' All Right," two anti-drug groups have criticized the pilot, saying that any comedic depiction of teenage marijuana use is irresponsible. The series is scheduled to air Sundays at 8:30 p.m. after "The Simpsons," which last year averaged about 2.5 million viewers a week between the ages of 2 and 11. [continues 439 words]
Traditional drug policy has failed. I believe we change the trend by prescribing heroin." This is not a legalise-it-disciple or a member of the Green party speaking, it is the police chief of the city of Bielefeld, Horst Kruse. Along with police chiefs and high-ranking medical officials, even conservative politicians nowadays demand a change in drug policy. A stock-taking on the occasion of today's German action day on drug policy. "And it does move, after all. Drug policy in Germany is currently loosening itself from a concrete and heavy inflexibility that lasted decades. The ideological walls are not yet broken, but they begin to crumble everywhere. The confession of faith that drug addicts could be cured with the forces of police and justice loses more and more of its faithful. [continues 763 words]
[followed by photos of the following people plus a statement from them:] Horst Kruse, Police chief Bielefeld: "Traditional drug policy has failed. I believe, heroin provieded by the state will initiate a change. Like it is in Zurich. Where drug addicts do not have to spend their time with chasing after drugs. Acquisitive criminality and offences form 20% of the all criminal offences which could then be curbed as well as social and health depravation. The problem of addiction would, of course, remain the same, but this is not to be solved by police efforts anyway." [continues 1001 words]
Waukesha -- A state Appeals Court on Wednesday upheld the termination of parental rights of the Waukesha woman known as the "cocaine mom" to a son she delivered in 1995, clearing the way for the boy's adoption. The ruling drew praise from county officials and criticism from the woman's mother, who urged her daughter to appeal to the state Supreme Court. But the woman's attorney, Michael Yovovich, said the ruling was "fairly well insulated" from further review. Yovovich and Waukesha County Assistant Corporation Counsel William Domina agreed that it was unlikely the state Supreme Court would hear the case involving the woman, referred to only as Angela to protect the identity of her children. [continues 731 words]
President Clinton yesterday called for a survey of 22,000 young people to see what brand of cigarettes they might be lighting up. He might just have settled for a quick tour of Seattle. "Camel filters in a box," said Rita Sailors, 19, who started smoking at age 11, as she hung out on University Avenue. "Marlboro reds, in a box," said a friend. "Camel whites, hard pack," said another friend, also 19, who started at age 9. And downtown at Westlake Park, an 18-year-old who gave only the name of John, said "Newport." [continues 710 words]
Diplomacy: Despite repeated efforts, hard feelings over U.S. money-laundering sting in Mexico refuse to go away. WASHINGTON--For Mexican diplomats in Washington, dealing with the United States government too often is like wrestling with a hydra, the Greek mythical monster of many heads. So many U.S. agencies and institutions concern themselves with Mexico, no sooner does a diplomat finish business with one than another pops up snarling. The latest example involves the controversial money-laundering sting, Operation Casablanca. [continues 413 words]
New Ways of Treating Drug Addiction in Zurich and Amsterdam Mattheus has a lid on things. Every morning he wakes up in a flat he has kept for years, to a steady job and a long-term relationship. The health authorities in Zurich are keen to make sure that he stays that way. So at 8 o'clock every morning, on his way to work, and then at six every evening on his way home, he drops off at a local clinic so the state can provide him with heroin. [continues 2157 words]
