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January 06 TRANSFORM NEWS
Jonathan Ross TV presenter, film critic, author (Transform Patron) “For a long time I’ve felt that the war on drugs is a lost cause. As a parent I’m obviously aware of the dangers of drugs but its clear to me that these dangers are massively increased by the criminality involved in an illegal market. I’m supporting Transform because I’d like to see a more honest, rational and compassionate approach to the drug problem. ” (Taken from our ‘Hall of Fame’ – browse through quotes from the great and the good who support reform of current drug policy: http://www.tdpf.org.uk/MediaNews_Reform_supporters.htm) -------------------- You hardly needed a crystal ball to predict the outcome of the cannabis reclassification saga. The Advisory Council examined the evidence and, unsurprisingly, found it was the same as last time they looked and advised the same the same as they did last time. The Home Secretary decided to leave the classification where he had been advised to and so the big news was, er…..nothing happened, move along now. But amidst the least surprising piece of drug policy news so far this century, there was one genuine surprise. Charles Clarke (perhaps pre-empting the Science and Technology select committee’s current examination of the drug classification system- see last newsletter) ordered an examination of the drug classification system. This provides those in the drugs field with a golden opportunity to highlight prohibition’s glaringly unscientific foundation. If he’s sincere about the review this could be very interesting indeed. On the international front we have a fine video for you to watch (assuming you have a reasonably decent internet connection) – brought to you by Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (www.LEAP.cc) in the US of A - well worth a watch if you can spare 12 minutes, inspiring stuff. Just in is a story of another US campaign group, Students for Sensible Drug Policy – whose request for some simple information from the government has led them to the high court – and got them high profile coverage in the form of an New York Times editorial. But you’ll have to wait till next month for that one. As always – please remember that you can do a lot more than just read this newsletter – discuss the issues on the Transform forum, publicise Transform and the website, make a donation, read the what you can do bit *points to the bottom of the news letter* , and get active! -------------------- -Please keep your comments, ideas, parliamentary/media contact and stories coming. e-mail: info@tdpf.org.uk , -Pass this onto your friends; subscribers can join by visiting: http://www.tdpf.org.uk/Contact.htm -All previous newsletters are viewable on our website should you have missed them or only just signed up: http://www.tdpf.org.uk/Newsletter.htm -Make a donation – as ever we need financial support to maintain the organisation…set up a regular donation online here: http://www.tdpf.org.uk/index_online_giving_links.htm Thanks for reading! Until next month, Fran Kellett
Contents ----1. UK NEWS----- * Clarke clings to the grand illusion of prohibition *Overhaul of drug classification system announced *Drug Legalisation debated in the House of Lords
---- 2. INTERNATIONAL NEWS ---- *Law Enforcement Against Prohibition – *video* * Magic mushrooms banned in Ireland after man's death (beer remains legal) * Coca grower to fight drugs – Colombia * Swiss cannabis reform lobby rises from the ashes
----3. WHAT TRANSFORM HAS BEEN UP TO----- *Prohibition is the problem - Find out who’s part of the solution *The best drug policy books in the world, EVER!
*Become a Trustee! *Write to your MP if you have one – or visit them! *Get active online *Help with our fundraising!
----1. UK NEWS----- ** CLARKE CLINGS TO THE GRAND ILLUSION OF PROHIBITION “The debate on reclassifying cannabis has served the government well in diverting attention from the miserable failure of its entire drug policy. Like an accomplished conjuror, Charles Clarke has created an illusion of concern over young people's mental health while presiding over a policy that is creating mayhem from Bogotá to Brixton - drug prohibition”. Transform Director Danny writes a column for the Guardian – read the complete piece: http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/Story/0,,1693530,00.html The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs’ has reviewed its position on the classification of cannabis products. Read their report here: http://www.drugs.gov.uk/drugs-laws/acmd/ -------------------- ** CLARKE TO OVERHAUL DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs looked at the facts, David Davis, the Tory shadow home secretary, chose not to. Read the debate in the House of Commons here: Read the rest here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/Story/0,,1690813,00.html The main surprise in an otherwise groundhog-day cannabis debate was Clarke announcing the Home Office are running a consultation into the drug classification system. Transform will be submitting a paper. Should be interesting……watch this space for developments. -------------------- ** LORDS DEBATE ON DRUG LEGALISATION 26 TH JAN AT 11.24 AM Lord Cobboldasked Her Majesty's Government: “Whether, as part of the proposed review of the drug classification system, they will undertake a broad review of the advantages and disadvantages of drug legalisation”. To read the full debate see: -------------------- ** “TOBACCO SMOKING is one of the deadliest addictions, yet seems to be largely ignored by the substance misuse field. Do any treatment providers give advice on stopping smoking while treating other addictions?” We’d just been debating how seemingly crazy it is that you are allowed to smoke whilst trying to give up any other addictions, when Drink & Drug News ran a letters page on this very issue. To read the replies, and how so many treatment centres willingly let people continue smoking see page 14 of this link: http://www.drinkanddrugs.net/drinkanddrugsnews/300106.PDF p14 -------------------- http://forum.tdpf.org.uk/forum/ - Discuss the latest news stories on the transform discussion forum http://www.dailydose.net - excellent daily/weekly round up of news (free subscription) , links and a peerless searchable UK drug news archive. http://www.thehempire.com - Cannabis news (and wider drug issues), quality free monthly news email and great website. The best and most up to date of the cannabis oriented sites. www.crew2000.co.uk and www.palad.org.uk - affiliates to Transform and well worth a look to see related campaigns around the country.
---- 2. INTERNATIONAL NEWS ---- ** LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST PROHIBITION - Well worth a watch. View it here: http://leap.cc/audiovideo/LEAPpromo.htm ---------------------------- **MAGIC MUSHROOMS BANNED IN IRELAND AFTER MAN'S DEATH A man in his thirties, from Dun Laoghaire, died last year after he jumped out of the balcony at his apartment. Gardai are investigating claims that he bought magic mushrooms at a shop in Dublin city centre, and had taken less than the recommended dosage on the packet. In a seemingly knee jerk response to a death that had echoes of LSD panics of the past, The Irish Government’s response to the death was to ban magic mushrooms (which grow freely across the emerald isle), perhaps even less thought through than last years UK ban, if that’s possible. Notably the fact that the man had also been drinking beer did not lead to a ban of the wheat and hops based alcoholic beverage (responsible for approx 10,000 times more deaths each year). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2091-2014713,00.html Times letter http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2091-2025259,00.html -------------------- ** COCA GROWER TO FIGHT DRUGS – COLOMBIA (President) “Morales, insisting that he is opposed to drug trafficking, has said he is seeking a drug-fighting program that would say, "No to zero coca, but yes to zero cocaine." He has appointed a coca grower to oversee anti-drug operations. For the full story: -------------------- ** CANNABIS LOBBY RISES FROM THE ASHES - Switzerland Eighteen months after parliament threw out a similar plan, the Swiss cannabis reform group have collected enough signatures to force a nationwide vote on the issue. Unfortunately no such system exists in the UK. "Our aim is to decriminalise cannabis consumption under strict rules, and encourage parliament to draft its own compromise solution," parliamentarian Ursula Wyss told swissinfo. To read the full article: http://www.nzz.ch/2006/01/13/eng/article6378062.html -------------------- - Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy Independent Canadian based drug policy reform organisation. A useful website with lots of information resources. - Narconews - The Senlis Council -Transnational Institute Drugs and Democracy Project -Drug Policy Alliance The leading US drug policy reform organisation
----3. WHAT TRANSFORM HAS BEEN UP TO----- Transform information officer Steve Rolles and a volunteer Alex Gibbs attended Release’s 5 th annual Drugs University, hosting a Transform exhibition stall at the event. This annual conference gathers people from across the drugs field to listen to leading thinkers and discuss the important issues of the day. This year the event had a quite a revolutionary feel with a succession of speakers critiquing current policy and much discussion of alternatives to the failure of enforcement efforts. Vic Hogg, head of the Home Office Drug Strategy Directorate was amongst the speakers, defending the Governments record on drugs and then being given a fairly rough ride with a series of difficult questions form the floor. Also speaking was Ethan Nadleman, director of the Drug Policy Alliance (see international links above), who gave an inspiring talk on the need for a new approach to drug policy, and Dr David Neil, from the University of Wollongong Australia, who delivered a withering attack on criminal justice led treatment. Transform will be posting a written version of this talk on the website shortly. Transform was also pleased to see LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) and the Legalise Cannabis Alliance were present as exhibitors. Read more about the conference here: http://www.release.org.uk/html/~master_menu/~Conferences/2006_Conference.php -------------------- **FIND OUT WHO’S PART OF THE SOLUTION: Transform has launched an archive of quotes – supportive of drug law reform - collected over a number of years from Politicians, Opinion formers, Criminal Justice, Celebrities, the non-governmental sector & religious leaders. Read the impressive list(s) here: http://www.tdpf.org.uk/MediaNews_Reform_supporters.htm Any suggested additions? Send them, with references please, to steve@tdpf.org.uk -------------------- **THE BEST DRUG POLICY BOOKS IN THE WORLD, EVER! Transform’s must-read book List: http://www.tdpf.org.uk/Policy_FurtherReading_books.htm -------------------- *Our new Publicity Leaflet is out NOW! Copies are available in print – get in touch if you would like one, or even a whole bunch of them. You can download a pdf version from here: http://www.tdpf.org.uk/Parliament_WhatYouCanDo.htm#leaflet Take a look and get your orders in if you want multiple printed copies. Its very good, even though I say so myself… (feedback is welcome of course). *Our shiny new ANNUAL REPORT has arrived! And boy, if you like annual reports, you’ll love this one…(WARNING: *Transform showing off content*) A pdf version is available here, and get in touch if you’d like a copy all your own : http://www.tdpf.org.uk/AboutUs_AnnualReport.htm . -“AFTER THE WAR ON DRUGS - OPTIONS FOR CONTROL” – now also available in Spanish and Portuguese! Transform’s groundbreaking report examines the key themes in the drug policy reform debate, detailing how legal regulation of drug markets will operate and providing a roadmap and time line for reform. The report can be downloaded as a pdf from: http://www.tdpf.org.uk/Policy_General_AftertheWaronDrugsReport.htm We’re currently in the midst of a third update and re-print, so printed copies will be available mid to end of February. Contact us to reserve a copy: info@tdpf.org.uk or 0117 941 5810 -------------------- PARLIAMENTARIANS GUIDE TO DRUG POLICY **Transform is currently seeking funding to produce a ‘Parliamentarians guide to drug policy’ – to inform the debate, empower reformers in Parliament, and provide the basis for future training programmes Transform will be running for policy makers. -------------------- **FUNDING As ever we urgently need funding….ideas, contacts and suggestions are always welcome, and please - if you haven’t already - sign up online to make a regular donation to the organisation. It really can make a difference. http://www.tdpf.org.uk/support_Transform.htm Our secure online donation page administered by the Charities Aid Foundation. Donations can be one off or regular, large or small. Please give generously - we need your support. (Transform relies solely on donations from individuals and charitable trusts to maintain its work) -------------------- A few bits and bobs in print this month: Jan/Feb 06 - Cannabis Health (Canada) - UK Drug policy & cannabis http://cannabishealth.com/site/content/view/77/9/ 16.01.06 - Drink & Drug news - The Drug strategy http://www.drinkanddrugs.net/drinkanddrugsnews/160106.PDF (see comment on p9) 24.01.06 – The Guardian - Prohibition & Charles Clarke http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/Story/0,,1693530,00.html
**TRUSTEES WANTED Transform have recruited a number of trustees, but are still looking for a couple of highly experienced individuals to join our Board of Trustees. You will need expertise in at least one of the following fields: human resources/personnel, business or voluntary sector management, finance, fundraising or organisational change. -------------------- **GET TO WORK ON YOUR MP. If you haven’t done this yet – Get on with it! You pay there wages to represent your views. Write to them, email them, pay them a visit. Its easy and effective campaigning….. Start off by writing to your MP/councillor and ask them their views on the current drug policy. Ask their opinion on the ‘War on Drugs’, the fact that it isn’t working and what they think should be done. They have a duty to reply, and then you can begin a dialogue. Remember always to be polite however much you may disagree with them! Book a visit to their surgery - you can meet with them and discuss any issue that you fancy. Its really easy! One of our volunteers visited his MP recently, who just happened to be Charles Clarke – the Home Secretary! The meeting was very positive, and various Transform materials were passed on. Transform provided a detailed briefing and training before the visit. Call us for help. Do you know who your MP is?! They may have changed since the election. Find out here: http://www.locata.co.uk/commons **Try writing/e-mailing your local paper or a national paper. Look out for drug related stories in newspapers (and other publications) and respond in the letters pages. Here’s evidence to show it works: we promise ‘DJ Welch’ is not a put up job, he wrote to the Observer of his own volition: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/letters/story/0,,1451131,00.html -------------------- **ONLINE ACTIVISM The internet gives you the opportunity to engage the drug law reform debate as never before. There are literally thousands of online forums, discussion groups, and media feedback opportunities where you can get involved and inject a little common sense into the debate. MP websites A number of MPs now have fairly fancy websites where you can post comments or discuss issues on forums. Check out http://www.shaunwoodward.com/go/Issues/Issue_2.html for example. Transforms Steve Rolles has posted a few times there. Check whether your MP has a website (and if he doesn’t email them anyway). A new discussion forum has popped up on the Government drugs site – no ones really used it yet so maybe it needs some Transform supporters to help liven it up a bit. Have a go – and let us know what response you get… http://www.drugs.gov.uk/talking-shop/forum/ Try some other unlikely places……The Daily Mail for example; a long time bastion of reactionary Drug War thinking has recently begun to open up to more progressive policy ideas. Whether you like the paper or not, the fact remains that it is highly influential in Whitehall and read by millions of floating voters. Many news stories and opinion pieces offer an opportunity to add comments at the end – so if you see a drug story that you think doesn’t tell the whole story – let them know! http://www.dailymail.co.uk *Guardian Talk – a good place to start – there’s usually a few good drug policy threads and if you cant find any – start one! (you need to register for this site) http://www.guardian.co.uk/index/talk/0,3109,162311,00.html They work for You: A brilliant independent website doing what Hansard should be doing – ie providing easy access to parliamentary debate and publications. You can post commentaries next to MPs comments in the house. Searchable by MP or by key words you can add your own comments to any comment made by anyone in the house. There are frequent debates on drug issues (you can set up an email alert on any individual or key word) so do a search, find some incoherent warblings from some misinformed MP - and set them straight! http://theyworkforyou.com/ *For more help with raising awareness through the media see below and the ‘What you can do page’ on the TDPF site here; http://www.tdpf.org.uk/Parliament_WhatYouCanDo.htm For further advice please call the Transform office on 0117 941 5810. Send in your media tips, suggestions for web activism warnings, successes and failures - we’ll include them here. -------------------- Please pass this newsletter onto your friends - subscribers can join by visiting: http://www.tdpf.org.uk/Contact.htm For other ideas and more details on what you can do see : http://www.tdpf.org.uk/Parliament_WhatYouCanDo.htm For more information and analysis: www.tdpf.org.uk Transform Drug Policy Foundation is a registered charity no: 1100518 The organisations, agencies, and information linked from www.tdpf.org.uk represent a variety of viewpoints from across the drug policy field. Transform is not responsible for the contents of sites linked on this newsletter, and does not automatically endorse linked information. Any suggested additions or corrections please email info@tdpf.org.uk If you have received this mail in error, or if would like to unsubscribe from the list, just click reply/e-mail info@tdpf.org.uk with ‘unsubscribe me‘ as the subject. Fran Kellett Transform Drug Policy Foundation Easton Business Centre Felix Road Easton Bristol BS5 0HE email: fran@tdpf.org.uk Telephone: +44 0117 941 5810 Facsimile: +44 0117 941 5809 website: www.tdpf.org.uk To subscribe to Transform's newsletter visit: http://www.tdpf.org.uk/Contact.htm This document accompanying this transmission may contain confidential information, which may be legally privileged. This information is intended for the use of the named individual. You are notified that any disclosure, copying and distribution is prohibited. If you receive this message in error please delete it.
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