Posted October 14th, 2016 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill:
Let’s talk about Heroin:
To prepare for our luncheon, I had been studying my German & French non-stop for two weeks. The purpose of the visit was to 1) establish a relationship with Catherine. 2) demonstrate my knowledge of German, French and the Swiss HAT program and 3) learn all the latest changes and improvements in the program…My wife Karen and I met Catherine Ritter of the Swiss Federal Health Ministry at a café in Geneva. When Karen needed a personal moment, we had a five (5) minute chat in German. I asked if the Swiss Govt was still willing to send a three (3) person team to the US Congress, if formally invited. She hesitated not and confirmed the offer of eight (8) years ago was still valid. NOTE: the team would consist of an MD who runs a heroin treatment clinic, a police officer and a federal, health bureaucrat/manager.
After our 90 minute meeting and lunch, we strolled about 8 minutes to the Geneva facility which handles 460 patients who are addicted to heroin. Catherine’s colleague joined us and we spent the next two (2) hours receiving a deluxe tour and explanation en français of how the Swiss treat their citizens who become addicted to heroin. Karen was our unofficial photographer.
This being my third visit to a clinic (2001 and 2008), I learned of the latest, minor changes in procedure and approaches. The largest was the introduction of a slow-release (24 hour) morphine pill which patients are using instead of pure heroin. I don’t pretend to understand the science/medicine, rather I was just becoming aware of the Swiss always trying to improve their already life-saving approach to this nasty drug.
Karen and I spent that night in France in a house built around 1500 – très romantique..As this was part of the our second honeymoon, it was the least I could do after taking her to a heroin clinic, n’est-ce pas?
NOTE to COP donors: this meeting cost COP only a lunch, a motel & parking. Karen and I were in the area as part of our vacation.
This week’s stats:
2 meetings
COP stats since inception: August 2009
2244 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. this week
134 personal chats with a Member of Congress.. this week
203 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week
14 interviews and reports in minor media = this week.
67 Radio Interviews.. 00 this week
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000).. 0 this week
42 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
62 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media..This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR)…02 this week (NBC twice)
24 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) 0this 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 October 7th, 2016 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of August 19 & 26, 2016
Vacation Time: Karen & I leave on the 24 for an extended holiday in Old Europe. We return in early October. The only COP I will do is the 3 hours in Geneva at a Swiss Clinic for heroin addicts.. I do hope to meet with a few of the members of newly-formed LEAP Germany.
Going forward in this election year, no real work to be done until November the 9th.
This week’s stats:
2244 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 08 this week
134 personal chats with a Member of Congress.. 01 this week
14 interviews and reports in minor media = 01 this week.
1 meetings/hearings
COP stats since inception: August 2009
203 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week
67 Radio Interviews.. 00 this week
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000).. 0 this week
42 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
62 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media..This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR)…02 this week (NBC twice)
24 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) 0this 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 August 8th, 2016 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of August 5, 2016
Green Plant Policy: Distributing updates and learning of staff changes was the focus of the week – I would introduce myself with this: ‘I represent police officers who don’t want to waste their time chasing a green plant, Willie, Snoop Dog, that kind of nonsense. Who is the LA (Legis. Asst) in charge of green plant policy?’ 90% of the time the front desk person broke into a smile or at least a grin and replied, “so & so.” And so it is in 2016 that staffers are aware that this issue is so trivial in the scope of what the Congress must deal with.
Friday was a ‘fun day’ in jeans & t-shirt. Besides staffers I asked 5-6 Capitol Police if they wanted their free samples now or at the end of their shift, as I pointed to my large briefcase. All of them smiled broadly, shaking their head & replying ‘at the end of my shift please.’
This week’s stats:
2215 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 14 this week
203 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week
1 meetings/hearings
COP stats since inception: August 2009
133 personal chats with a Member of Congress.. 0 this week
67 Radio Interviews.. 00 this week
13 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week.
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000).. 0 this week
42 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
62 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media..This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR)…02 this week (NBC twice)
24 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) 0this 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 August 4th, 2016 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of July 29, 2016
Whistleblower’s Conference: I presented to this group of Friday afternoon for two hours. It was not well attended but I did have an interview with a reporter
I spent two days going door to door, updating my contact info and distributing 2016 updates. Finally getting back to a normal workweek. Great chats with staff aides always pumps me up.
Marathon Man: In the Rayburn escalator an legislative assistant asked how my issue was going, ending by wishing me a speedy success. Later a Capitol police officer asked the same question, leaving me with words of encouragement. As I end my 10th year on the Hill, I feel like a guy on a long, long run…and people along the race route who don’t know me are offering their encouragement. Feels real good.
This week’s stats:
2201Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 11 this week
13 interviews and reports in minor media = 01 this week.
2 meetings/hearings
COP stats since inception: August 2009
133 personal chats with a Member of Congress.. 0 this week
202 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week
67 Radio Interviews.. 00 this week
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000).. 0 this week
42 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
62 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media..This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR)…02 this week (NBC twice)
24 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) 0this 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 July 28th, 2016 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of July 15 & 22, 2016
A Long Time Coming: On Wednesday Senator Graham held the first ever positive hearing on the medical use of MJ. 8 witnesses. IMHO, 5 were positive, 2 neutral and the SAM rep was a typical muffin head, spouting the prohibition line. I thanked the Senator for his efforts.
A shout out to Don Murphy of MPP who has had many chats with Graham the last year to convert him to our side.
Life Keeps Getting in the Way: I had an excellent day with Congressional aides on the 13th with 7 presentations. Then my dear brother called from North Carolina…could I be his Best Man at his wedding—- tomorrow? And he made an honest woman of his girl friend of 12 years. I’ll be back to work, next week…God willing and the creeks don’t rise.
This week’s stats:
133 personal chats with a Member of Congress.. 01 this week (Senator Graham R/SC)
2190 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 07 this week
202 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week
13 interviews and reports in minor media = 01 this week. ( Politico )
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000).. 01 this week* below
2 meetings/hearings
COP stats since inception: August 2009
67 Radio Interviews.. 00 this week
42 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
62 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media..This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR)…02 this week (NBC twice)
24 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) 0this 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
Note: Anchorage Daily News until July ’14
Author: Howard Wooldridge
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v16/n477/a08.html
POT IS NOT A PLAY TOY
“Smoking cannabis is safe” ( Letters, July 15 ):
Cannabis is a drug. Like all drugs, its use can be problematic. Fed studies show about 9 percent of users become addicted. It is not a play toy. I would give it the same rules and respect as beer.
– – Detective Officer Howard ‘Cowboy’ Wooldridge,
Retired
Buckeystown, Maryland
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