ALERT:Audio Recording of Dickinson College Marijuana Debate with Allen St Pierre/Executive Director of NORML and David Freed/District Attorney(Thanks to Princeton Univ. Dickinson College and UChannel for the audio)
The above link is another great example of the steadfast clambering of old and debunked ideas continuing to be mouthed by headpieces of what is the very thing that is wrong with the War on “Certain” drugs. Law Enforcement in all forms, including those in the justice system are the last to ditch their guns and run in what they assume is a retreat on the morals and responsibility of our society. They do it mostly using the excuse of “what about the children?” as they wildly flail to regain a grip on the lies and fear tactics scientific studies have proven and have rebuked what has been taught to us in our school D.A.R.E. programs, and by almost every anti-drug program in existence. Executive Director of NORML, Allen St. Pierre has no problem disputing the ideas of the opposition in this great learning tool and audio piece. I highly reccomend it.
Also, In reading some of his great articles and essays, and interviewing NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano for an upcoming SAFER podcast, an interesting figure popped up. Harvard University Economist Jeffery Miron estimates we spend $7 Billion Dollars a year on the front end of law enforcement in the War on Drugs. (Published: In These Times 20 Million Arrests and Counting by Paul Armentano) This includes athings like an officer’s time to fill out paperwork, and doesn’t include the amount spent to actually penalize and incarcerate offenders. Oh, and by the way, did I mention that massive number is just for POT, Marijuana, Hashish, The Herb, or whatever you want to call The Good Green offenders. WoW. Its more info that keeps coming out about the ridicluous nature of The War on Drugs.
For more mind blowing information and some great weapons against the war on drugs, keep up with Paul Armentano and his writings. Its truy some interesting stuff he has to say @ NORML Blog.
Good Times.
~JDR