Posted February 12th, 2016 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of February 5, 2016
New Hampshire
First rally – Clinton = excellent foto on page 16A of the New York Times the next day
John Heilmann (NY magazine, MSNBC)..read shirt & ‘just make sure you get that done.’
At Kasich event – talk to two national (Fox, MSNBC) reporters…both well acquainted with LEAP
At Sanders – printed article & foto of major media in Vermont
At Christie – 3 media (one was the Die Welt = the New York Times of Germany ) + BBC
Christie read the shirt & said into the microphone :’I am not going to ask why!’
At Bush rally – Walking in, Jeb read the shirt as I shook his hand. Later I met with him one on one and asked if he could take a 10th Amendment approach…”I can do that.” He replied. Also spoke to Senator Graham (R-SC) and Tom Ridge (first director of Homeland Security)
Overview: This project was conceived and executed by my colleague, Don Murphy – federal lobbyist for MPP. From airport to first rally at 10 AM the next six days were beyond frenetic. 18 hour days all. Halfway thru of course I caught a cold. Luckily my voice gave out as I was boarding the plane home.
The stats of media contact are a solid guess (a floor not a ceiling), meaning I was writing down as fast as possible the contact at the end of the interview. However, several times they went back to back to back, once 6 in a row = no chance to perfectly accurate.
Don did the daily plan ( 4 rallies per day ) & was my navigator…despite two snow days, we kept to that pace. Speaking as an American, the entire experience was uplifting. I had three, one minute chats with Jeb Bush….just amazing. Democracy in action. Wow!!
My deepest thanks to Don Murphy, political operative extraordinaire…for putting this project together.
This week’s stats:
2149 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 14 this week
119 personal chats with a Member of Congress.. 05 this week (Perlmutter, Gwen Graham, Ruben Gallego, Mullin, Senator Graham)
101 interviews and reports in minor media = 09 this week.
45 Appearances on major TV/Radio/Print media..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR)…07 this week (BBC, NPR, Wash Post (2), NY Times, Die Welt, Boston Globe)
166 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 06 this week –
40 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 01 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
23 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) this week
60 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
82 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $80,000).. 0 this week
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 30 dollars buys all the copy paper COP uses in one year. Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
**
Posted February 1st, 2016 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of January 29, 2016
“Continuous effort, not strength or intelligence is the key to unlocking our potential.” Winston Churchill
I heard back from 12-14 offices on my Swiss Program handout to deal with heroin abuse. Two typical response notes from staffers.
Hi Howard,
Thanks for your email. I’m looping in our drug caucus staff, who handle this issue.
Best,
Megan
Megan Thompson
Legislative Assistant
Office of Senator Dianne Feinstein
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Thanks Howard,
I passed your information to a couple people I know that are moving forward with a couple of the things that I mentioned yesterday. They were very excited to talk with you, I am sure that they will be reaching out soon.
Enjoy your weekend.
PSC ( Senator Perdue (R-GA) office)
Good News/Bad News: Senator Grassley, chair of the Judiciary Committee, held a large hearing on the issue of heroin/prescription Opioid abuse. I sat in for the three hours shaking my head a lot. Finally Senator Tillis asked the last question of the hearing to the last witness on the last panel the appropriate question; ‘Where do you find the best practice for handling the problem.’ The woman responded about various programs as being the most effective. No one asked where in the world might it be going better. Pitiful.
The summary of the effective Swiss program has been given to all 535 Members. We will now see, if a Member acts on it.
This week’s stats:
2135 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 25 this week
1 hearing this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
114 personal chats with a Member of Congress.. 0 this week
160 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week – besides two running for Congress, xcl chat with Speaker of Utah House, Gregg Hughes
92 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. 0 this week.
23 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) this week
60 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
82 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $80,000).. 0 this week
39 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
38 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC)…0 this week (BBC)
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 30 dollars buys all the copy paper COP uses in one year. Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
**
Posted January 25th, 2016 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of January 22, 2016
Effective? You betcha (channeling Sarah Palin): Almost done on Thursday an aide who knew of me, stopped me to chat in the hallway. He almost whispered, ‘The marijuana dealers of DC sent some guy up to Harris’ office (R-MD who blocked the opening of MJ stores in the District) and thanked the Congressman for blocking the stores – stating really helps the current MJ dealers in DC.’ He was grinning like the cat that just ate the mouse.
I played dumb and we went our ways.. NOTE: in 2015 recall I went to Harris’ office and did deliver that message. Extrapolating that an aide in another building knew of the visit, I would bet my ‘thank you Dr. Harris’ message’ is all over the entire House. Woohoo!!! I’ll go again just before the vote this spring.
Junk Mail?..: I continued the task of hand delivery to 535 offices and follow up with emails to 535 health legislative assistants, hoping for 2% to read them and one or two might act on it….yikes!! I emphasize (this in my follow up email): “Given 44,000 dead last year, perhaps we should abandon our 19th century approach to drug abuse.”
I did another 81 offices this week on the Swiss HAT program + 4 normal presentations
This week’s stats:
2110 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 31 this week
160 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 03 this week – besides two running for Congress, xcl chat with Speaker of Utah House, Gregg Hughes
1 meeting this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
114 personal chats with a Member of Congress.. 0 this week
92 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. 0 this week.
23 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) this week
60 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
82 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $80,000).. 0 this week
39 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
38 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC)…0 this week (BBC)
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 30 dollars buys all the copy paper COP uses in one year. Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
**
Posted January 19th, 2016 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of January 15, 2016
New/Old Tactic : I spent most of the week hand-delivering the latest, approved edition of the Swiss HAT (heroin assisted treatment) program.** America suffered some 44,000 deaths last year to drug overdose, almost all via heroin or Oxycodone. The information has nothing to do with my main task of drug prohibition. However, since no one on the Hill or the country is even thinking outside the box of more money for law enforcement, I decided to deliver a 3 minute mini presentation to all 535 Members’ offices. This in between my normal presentations to staff.
Note: for stat purposes, I am counting 3 mini-presentations as one normal one. Personal note to self – don’t do this again…after 40 in one day, the mind goes to mush.
Captive audience: A Subway shop just opened in the Rayburn bldg and is very popular. When I got in line the first time, Lady Luck struck hard. Three Congressmen were right behind me, when VT state senator Jeanette White called me regarding coming to her state to testify on a legalize/regulate MJ bill. I made a point of saying why MJ should be treated like beer with all the Congressmen able to hear the words.
I also put my jacket over the chair and all who enter have to pass by it…all good passive advertising. For many reasons, I will be eating more Subway sandwiches.
This week’s stats :
114 personal chats with a Member of Congress.. 03 this week
2079 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 68 this week
157 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 03 this week
1 meeting this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
92 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. 0 this week.
23 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) this week
60 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
82 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $80,000).. 0 this week
39 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
38 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC)…0 this week (BBC)
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 30 dollars buys all the copy paper COP uses in one year. Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
**
SWISS HEROIN-ASSISTED TREATMENT 1994 – 2016: SUMMARY
This summary was taken from six published reports and updated every year. The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health reviewed and approved its release. Additional questions should be directed to Catherine Ritter in Bern – (41) 58-469-18-13– Email Catherine.Ritter@bag.admin.ch – NOTE: This summary was researched and written by Howard J. Wooldridge, a Co-Founder of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition…LEAP
Overview: Due to the severe drug problem in Switzerland in the early 1990s,(rising number of injection drug users, visibility of open drug scenes, AIDS epidemic, rising number of drug related deaths, poor physical health, high criminality) the Swiss made a fundamental shift in approaching the problems caused by heroin addiction. The Swiss offer treatment-on-demand. A variety of different treatments is available, in order to treat a broad range of dependent people. Of an estimated 22-24,000 addicts (dropping 4% per year) 17,500 are in treatment. 92% are given daily doses of primarily methadone at conventional clinics or by general practitioners (the majority). The Swiss treat about 1400 addicts with maintenance doses of heroin via 23 special clinics operating in cities and two prisons. Opioid based treatments are part of a broader therapy that includes social, educational and psychological measures. The Swiss approach has resulted in lower rates of crime, death, disease, a slight drop in expected new users as well as an improvement in mental and physical health, employment and housing. Similar programs have been developed in seven countries: Germany, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, England, Spain and Canada.
* To qualify for a heroin prescription: 1) at least 18 years old; 2) been addicted (daily use) for at least two years; 3) present signs of poor health; 4) two or more failed attempts of conventional treatment (methadone or other); 5) Surrender drivers license; 6) Heroin can only be obtained at the clinic and must be consumed on site (oral or injection). (Note: Under strict control and specific criteria [for example full employment] a few are allowed to take away one oral dose daily)
-
Patients can receive up to three doses of heroin per day. 66% take the heroin via needle injection, the rest via pill or liquid heroin mixed with juice.
B. Patients average about three (3) years in this plan. However, they may stay in treatment indefinitely. 20% of original patients are still in the program.
C. The vast majority of patients are satisfied or very satisfied with the program.
D. Average age of patient: 42 years.
*Crime Issues: 60% drop in felony crimes by patients (80% drop after one year in the program). 82% drop in patients selling heroin.
*Death Rates: No participant has died from a heroin overdose since the inception of the program
*Disease Rates: New infections of Hepatitis and HIV have been reduced for patients.
*New Use Rates: Slightly lower than expected. 1) As reported in the Lancet June 3, 2006, the medicalisation of using heroin has tarnished the image of heroin and made it less attractive to young people. 2) Most new users are introduced to heroin by members of their social group and 50% of users also deal to support their habit. Therefore, with so many users/sellers in treatment, non-users have fewer opportunities to be exposed to heroin, especially in the rural areas.
*Cost Issues: 48 dollars/day: Patient costs are covered by national health insurance agency. Patients pay annually 700 dollars for the compulsory insurance. Note: The Swiss save about 38 dollars per day per patient mostly in lowered costs for court and police time, due to less crime committed by the patients.
*The Swiss purchase about 60 kilos of heroin for treatments ($130,000, black market price: 3.7 million).
*In December 2008 the Swiss voted (68%-32%) to make the program part of their body of laws. HAT is controlled by federal health authorities. * The Swiss approach gives us a glimpse of a context in which drug issues are handled by the medical community.
Reader: What the Swiss Program is not:
1. It has not eliminated street sales of heroin. Dealers still exist in cities with clinics.
2. It is not a ‘free’ drugs program. Patients must purchase health care insurance and receive their methadone or heroin as part of their comprehensive drug treatment therapy.
3. A non-heroin using adult cannot walk into a clinic and receive heroin.
4. Simply put, the Swiss are using a comprehensive public health approach (treatment on demand) to heroin addiction whose unique feature is to allow a small minority of patients to receive pure, maintenance doses of heroin.
5. Heroin is not a legal, regulated and or taxed product in Switzerland.
6. The Swiss have never calculated how many fewer people have taken heroin during the life of the program because of the HAT (heroin assisted treatment) program. They have calculated there was an annual drop of users of about 1% between 1992 and 2002. The Swiss attribute any progress to their Four Pillar’s Approach, not any isolated component.
Posted January 11th, 2016 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of January 8, 2016
Bunny Hills: I happened to step on the escalator right behind Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL). She and two aides were chatting about skiing and how dangerous it was. She said her aide had real courage to go on even the bunny slopes in Colorado. I chimed in (in Spanish) and she asked why I spoke her first language. I replied, stating my position. She said how she had voted SI to applying the 10th Amendment to all MJ votes in 2016 ( a change for her). I heartily thanked her for the votes and we parted ways. I bumped into three other Members that day + one on Wednesday….woohoo.
Slow & Steady wins the race: On Friday the main six horses that are pulling the anti-prohibition wagon met for two hours to discuss which House Members we could win over this year and how to message in general. Personal Note: it feels so damn good to be one of six instead of one of two. We all feel good going into this year and believe we have a solid chance to win the House vote to essentially repeal the 1937 law on marijuana. I am not taking a vacation day until September.
Best Moment of 2015: 2015 was an extraordinary year of many good advances/victories…this was the best of the best moment.
This is the letter I received from the supervisor of the French teams which toured CO, WA & DC. We had met at their embassy last spring. I choked up, when I read the 3rd line..’Your line of reasonings/arguments are very strong.’
Many, many hours went into that project, not counting 38 years of keeping my French fluent.
Merci Howard,
C’était un plaisir de te rencontrer
Je viens de lire le document que tu m’a donné …. Tes arguments sont très forts.
Je vais contacter Eric des que je rentre à Paris et il est possible que je revienne a DC en juillet pour un autre sujet mais j’essayerai de rencontrer Eric
Cordialement
xxxxx
Envoyé de mon iPhone
This week’s stats :
112 personal chats with a Member of Congress.. 05 this week
2011 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 08 this week
4 meetings this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
154chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week
92 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. 0 this week.
23 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) this week
60 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
82 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $80,000).. 0 this week
39 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 00 this week
38 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC)…0 this week (BBC)
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 30 dollars buys all the copy paper COP uses in one year. Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
