Stories from the week of December 24, 2010
Posted January 4th, 2011 by hiwayhowieCOPs on the Hill
No Guts – Call her an Ostrich: While delivering Christmas cards in the Rayburn building, I was informed that the recently elected Attorney General of California was having a briefing sponsored by the Black Congressional Caucus. I was able to ask her, Ms. Kamala Harris, a question after the Members had finished.
After I introduced myself I asked, ‘Given that about 70% of felony crime in California touches drug prohibition/war on drugs, would you consider an education campaign to teach California about this unintended consequence and cost of drug prohibition?’
Her response,’My experience as a prosecutor in San Francisco was about 60% of felony crime had something to do with drugs.’ No, I would not legalize any drug.’ And she stopped right there.
Shucks. Quelle surprise she would not answer the question.
Relationships matter: As I was delivering cards in the Cannon building, Congresswoman Donna Edwards (D-MD) happened to be in the reception area of her office. She read the shirt, took two steps, shook my hand and thanked me for my advocacy.* I thanked her effort to reduce drug overdose deaths (she sponsored a bill to provide grants to local police to start a ‘Good Samaritan’( see below for the actual bill*) approach to overdose deaths, like New Mexico started in 2007.
As her bill went nowhere even with Nancy Pelosi in charge, I suggested she introduce a new bill in January; namely introduce the Good Sam approach to all federal land, buildings and bases. This would cost nothing and would be a lighthouse for the rest of the nation. (only New Mexico and Washington State have a solid Good Sam law). *copy of bill below.
She asked her legislative director to join the conversation. As she introduced us, LD Terra Sabag informed her boss that she had known me for several years. I had met Terra 3 or 4 years ago when she was just an assistant. That night I emailed Terra a copy of the New Mexico law for use as an exemplar. Again many thanks to Reena Szczepanski ( whom I met riding Misty across America in 2005) – then with the Drug Policy Alliance – for passing that law in Santa Fe.
*advocacy = Eintreten
COPs 2nd year stats to date:
TV appearances: 12 (ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX, cable)
Newspaper stories: 6 dailes, 3 weeklies
Radio appearances: 6
Published LTE: 6 (two this week)
36 presentations to Congressional staffers (five this week)
1 VIP (Member of Congress) presentations: (one this week)
Consider being a member of COPs at $30.00 or more per year. Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow. Go to: www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or check.
*Signed into law on April 3, 2007 by Governor Richardson
SENATE BILL 200
48TH LEGISLATURE – STATE OF NEW MEXICO – FIRST SESSION, 2007
INTRODUCED BY Richard C. Martinez AN ACT RELATING TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES; PROVIDING LIMITED IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION FOR A PERSON WHO SEEKS OR OBTAINS MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR A DRUG-RELATED OVERDOSE. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
Section 1. A new section of the Controlled Substances Act is enacted to read:
“[NEW MATERIAL] OVERDOSE PREVENTION–LIMITED IMMUNITY.—
A. A person who, in good faith, seeks medical assistance for someone experiencing a drug-related overdose shall not be charged or prosecuted for possession of a
controlled substance pursuant to the provisions of Section 30-31-23 NMSA 1978 if the evidence for the charge of possession of a controlled substance was gained as a result of
the seeking of medical assistance.
B. A person who experiences a drug-related overdose and is in need of medical assistance shall not be charged or prosecuted for possession of a controlled substance pursuant to the provisions of Section 30-31-23 NMSA 1978 if the evidence for the charge of possession of a controlled substance was gained as a result of the overdose and the need
for medical assistance.
C. The act of seeking medical assistance for someone who is experiencing a drug-related overdose may be used as a mitigating factor in a criminal prosecution pursuant
to the Controlled Substances Act.”
This concept was endorsed by the US Mayors Conference, June 25, 2008
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