The Tulia and the Dallas Pool Chalk Scandals caused this change and are prime examples of racism in our system. The Interim Report (pdf, see pp 39-43) of the Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, quoted below, demands an end to Texas' regional narcotics task force system as we know it:

"Continuing to sanction task force operations as stand-alone law enforcement entities - with widespread authority to operate at will across multiple jurisdictional lines - should not continue. The current approach violates practically every sound principle of police oversight and accountability applicable to narcotics interdiction."

CJC plainly condemns Texas' network of drug task forces financed by the federal Byrne grant program. The committee , led by Republican former Travis County Sheriff Chairman Terry Keel, R-Austin, unanimously agreed and did not minced words in its rebuke of the task force system.

Links to the statistics quoted & other information:

DRUG WAR FACTS causes of death in US

Criminal Justice Policy Foundation

Texas Prison Stats

Research on the prison industrial complex

Prison Policy Initiative

Prisoners of the Census

Hemp Revolution?
Can a plant save the planet? Producer-director Anthony Clarke will make you a believer. This documentary explores the hemp plant's fascinating history and thousands of uses, as well as the economic and cultural forces behind its prohibition. Clarke argues that the hype surrounding hemp, also known as cannabis or marijuana, has overshadowed the plant's benefits as a source of paper pulp, its uses as a cotton substitute and much more. He comes down deservedly hard on chemical and drug companies as well as the U.S. government.

You can rent it. Netflix will give you a free trial!

 

"Drug problems have very little to do with any specific drug, but are rooted in the psyches of the individuals who abuse them." - Jerry Epstein, Drug Policy Forum of Texas "Incarceration has never reduced demand for drugs or the problems associated with an illegal market. What is needed is comprehensive regulation." - Suzanne Wills, DPFT

 

Spreading light on the subject!-

 

Drugs, sex and politics; a national shame!
by Ma Freedom

Continued from Latest Drug News

If our mission was to build a paramilitary style police force, huge prison industry and a totalitarian state, by George we've done it! War creates a booming economy for some on the suffering of many. Drug warriors are so befuddled by the noble idea of preventing drug abuse, they ignore the lessons of history.

No legitimate business lasts long if it kills its customers or shoots the competition. No legitimate business would sell drugs to children or recruit minors to sell to their peers. This happened during alcohol prohibition. Once again, today, prohibition triggers more danger to the user and society by increasing violent crime and corruption of public officials. Meth will go away like bathtub gin with regulation.

Recent bar raids bring back shades of the '20s Speakeasies. Less people who hit skid row or stoop to prostitution would get stuck there if we had more compassionate policy offering helpful treatment.

We have accomplished a scary amount of collateral damage beyond that caused by abuse of drugs. Drug abuse, including alcohol and pharmaceuticals, etc. is a medical problem and we'll do a better job preventing overdose deaths, of keeping kids drug free and inebriated folks off the road by offering helpful treatment.

When the innocent, the nonviolent unarmed or our officers are injured or killed in prohibition-triggered violence it is especially disturbing because our policies are causing a scary amount of collateral damage beyond that caused by abuse of drugs. "We just have to keep our guard up for the 1 percent that your mother always warned you about," said Capt. Andrew Lewis, Bay City's lead investigator.

Ninety-nine per cent or most people are nonviolent. Yet, all of us need to keep our guard up. Be careful of the situations we put ourselves in; be safe, make responsible choices. Our policies need to encourage such behavior! Instead we arrest those like, Willie Nelson and buds for a responsible, safer choice!

Concerned citizens want a safer world. Put people in prison for violence and fraud but with compassionate treatment hopeful of rehabilitation for all but most hardened. Most people are responsible drug users. Prohibition triggers a scary amount of collateral damage to our precious lives and resources. Stop drug prohibition, its violence and corruption.

The Controlled Substances Act is one of those bad laws like the Fugitive Slave Act and the Volstead Act. When juries refuse to convict on "drug crime," drug warriors will be politically dead bodies. Jury nullification is a constitutional power tool we the people pack!

The military and law enforcement have recruitment problems because current policy attracts those interested in working in a corrupt system and milking it, thereby creating a pervasive disrespect for the law.

Our system could run with the milk of human kindness, if America had the ethical, efficient and constitutionally limited government; our founders envisioned.

America is not supposed to be a centrally planned economy with guaranteed employment for everyone, as long as they do what they are told by the state. A state of authoritarian tyranny is what that is called. Every one of us is in jeopardy of losing our freedom to think, speak and act. King George of England inspired the rebellion in 1776. Could another self-appointed King George be on the verge of doing the same?

Drugs, sex and politics; leaders responsible for current quagmire will one day answer to a higher power for their crimes against humanity. It's time to end the terror by changing our intrusive, big-bully policies, both foreign and domestic. The monetary costs are staggering and the human suffering unconscionable.

Peace, tolerance and free trade in goods and knowledge create a world of abundance. America deserves to have an ethical, efficient, and constitutionally limited government. Here is one great tool to get to know your candidates or try this one to find out your current races.

Restore justice in America; construct science based drug policies about saving and rehabilitating instead of ruining lives. Support for the federal war on drugs is inconsistent with support for individual freedom, constitutional government and the teachings of Jesus.

James Madison, the primary author of the Constitution of the United States, said this: "We have staked the whole future of all our political constitutions upon the capacity of each of ourselves to govern ourselves according to the moral principles of the Ten Commandments."

"In the end, however, no constitution can be self enforcing....For the Constitution will live only if it is alive in the hearts and minds of the American people." Roger Pilon, senior fellow and director of CATO's Center for Constitutional Studies.

The Cato Institute offers copies of its popular Constitution booklet.

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