Obama Talking Like He's Wanting Out Of The War On Drugs ?

hyphaenation · 03-17-09, 16:54

Talk is cheap. What will his actions be like ?

Obama drops 'war on drugs' rhetoric for needle exchanges

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009...eedle-exchange

The Obama administration signalled today that it was ready to repudiate the prohibition and "war on drugs" approach of previous presidents, and steer policy towards prevention and "harm reduction" strategies favoured by Europe.

David Johnson, an assistant secretary of state, said the new administration would embrace policies supporting federally funded needle exchanges. The aim, he said, was to establish a policy based on public health needs. "This will result in a policy that is broader and stronger than the one we had in the past," Johnson said on the sidelines of a UN drug strategy conference in Vienna.

His words come days after the nomination of the Seattle police chief, Gil Kerlikowske, to the post of director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the nation's drug czar. Kerlikowske has built a reputation in Seattle for pursuing drug policies based on harm reduction. The state has an established needle exchange programme, has legalised marijuana for medicinal purposes and has made marijuana among the lowest priorities for law enforcement.

In a further sign of a new approach in Washington, congressional committee hearings last week heard lawmakers argue for a shift in national drug policy, largely in response to the rising drug-related violence seeping into the US from Mexico.

Those hearings followed a report by the former presidents of Mexico, Colombia and Brazil, which dubbed the war on drugs a "complete failure". Ernesto Zedillo, César Gaviria and Henrique Cardoso, all conservative politicians, blamed the US emphasis on criminalisation for the continuing toll caused by drug trafficking, and called for an approach based on public health, including the legalisation of marijuana.

Johnson said the latest shift came as a result of a direct instruction from the new administration. "There was very much an official directive from Washington," he told Reuters. "There was no confusion whatsoever. The [switch on] needle exchange was the clear signal of that."

Ethan Nadelmann, the executive director of the Drugs Policy Alliance, which lobbies for alternatives to the war on drugs, welcomed the change.

"These statements really indicate a significant shift," he said. "It's not just a repudiation of the Bush administration, it's a repudiation of the Clinton administration. This signals a new direction in US drug policy. This is about all the leading scientists and all the public health people pushing in the same direction and Obama saying he's putting science above politics."

In a statement last week announcing the nomination of the new drug czar, Obama said: "With escalating violence along our Southwest border and far too many suffering from addiction here at home, never has it been more important to have a national drug control strategy guided by sound principles of public safety and public health."

Kerlikowske faces bruising confirmation hearings in the Senate. After his name was floated for the position, it emerged his stepson has been arrested several times on drug-related charges. Kerlikowske alluded to this at the announcement of his nomination. "Our nation's drug problem is one of human suffering," he said, "and as a police officer, but also in my own family, I have experienced the effects that drugs can have on our youth, our families and our communities."

Arabesque · 03-17-09, 17:07

If this turns out to be true, I think it would be best to follow a european model regarding drug laws. The amount of money spent to fight something as harmless is marijuana could be used instead to help home owners or any other myriad of projects. I remember a lot of misinformation that was given to me as a child in the D.A.R.E. program: "What else is in that weed bag you bought? It could have been thrown on the floor, stepped on, or laced with something!" As if someone is going to spend extra time and money to put more drugs on my eighth bag. I'm sure there are some other bogus things I was told growing up. I don't think this nation can keep fighting to keep drugs far far away when in reality the weed dealer is next door to your family; your kid is stealing your meds from the medicine cabinet. It's time to take a different approach to drugs, one that isn't eerily similar to sex education: abstinence.

alounacara · 03-17-09, 19:14

It looks like we are headed in a good direction with Obama`s low priority approach.
We might even get to a point where we can grow a certain amount of plants legally for our personal consumption.

M&M420 · 03-17-09, 19:19

YAY!!!Man with all this good talk I'm feeling like a kid the night before Christmas.Let's just hope that things continue to look up.Time for me to light a doobie and chill out.Thanks for the read Hyph

roc · 03-17-09, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by alounacara

It looks like we are headed in a good direction with Obama`s low priority approach.
We might even get to a point where we can grow a certain amount of plants legally for our personal consumption.

No doubt this is a good move... think of all the money our fat overgrown government could save... I am not an Obama fan and besides that you know I decriminalised it at my house years ago.

alounacara · 03-17-09, 19:41

I am not crazy about Obama either but i will be if he legalizes weed in the good old USA

GreenBastard · 03-17-09, 20:19

It's a step in the right direction. There's almost 100 years of bureaucracy to overcome, along with the brewers, distillers and the prison industry.

SharkieJones · 03-17-09, 20:56

Good, hope they follow through on all the talk.

dice · 03-17-09, 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by SharkieJones

Good, hope they follow through on all the talk.

Yeah I agree.
Good thing though theres def been
more talk into things like this lately.
more than ive ever seen b4
so lets keep our fingers crossed.

Santiago · 03-17-09, 22:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenBastard

It's a step in the right direction. There's almost 100 years of bureaucracy to overcome, along with the brewers, distillers and the prison industry.

You forgot about the big pharmaceutical companies, but yeah.

Arabesque · 03-17-09, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Santiago

You forgot about the big pharmaceutical companies, but yeah.

That made me think that I should start planning a seed/clone distribution company if anything comes to fruition. Then maybe I'll be a giant corporation too

~Hippie3 · 03-18-09, 07:29

a baby step in the right direction,
a good sign
but i want to see the DEA reigned in-
call off your dogs mr. president!

mushmind · 03-19-09, 08:04

i love this dude. even if you don't the alternative was a senile warmonger.

~Hippie3 · 03-19-09, 09:30

obama is sending troops to Afghanistan,
reckon that makes him a
'warmonger' too eh.

roc · 03-19-09, 09:48

My thoughts exactly Hip!

Walls Have Teeth · 03-19-09, 10:09

I don't know what to think of Obama right now, and what he is trying to do with the right to bear arms doesn't fly so well with me. But... as with any president I hope by the time he is out of office I like him and what he has done for our country, and slowing down the war on drugs to a low priority would be a good start in my book!!!

EmmisonJ · 03-20-09, 11:24

that's a nice relieving story to hear. science over politics is not something the government is fond of and will not come easy. let's keep hope alive that logic will win over ignorance and greed.

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03-17-09, 16:54	#1 (permalink)
hyphaenation Puck Teknician Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 6,905	Obama Talking Like He's Wanting Out Of The War On Drugs ? Talk is cheap. What will his actions be like ? Obama drops 'war on drugs' rhetoric for needle exchanges http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009...eedle-exchange The Obama administration signalled today that it was ready to repudiate the prohibition and "war on drugs" approach of previous presidents, and steer policy towards prevention and "harm reduction" strategies favoured by Europe. David Johnson, an assistant secretary of state, said the new administration would embrace policies supporting federally funded needle exchanges. The aim, he said, was to establish a policy based on public health needs. "This will result in a policy that is broader and stronger than the one we had in the past," Johnson said on the sidelines of a UN drug strategy conference in Vienna. His words come days after the nomination of the Seattle police chief, Gil Kerlikowske, to the post of director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the nation's drug czar. Kerlikowske has built a reputation in Seattle for pursuing drug policies based on harm reduction. The state has an established needle exchange programme, has legalised marijuana for medicinal purposes and has made marijuana among the lowest priorities for law enforcement. In a further sign of a new approach in Washington, congressional committee hearings last week heard lawmakers argue for a shift in national drug policy, largely in response to the rising drug-related violence seeping into the US from Mexico. Those hearings followed a report by the former presidents of Mexico, Colombia and Brazil, which dubbed the war on drugs a "complete failure". Ernesto Zedillo, César Gaviria and Henrique Cardoso, all conservative politicians, blamed the US emphasis on criminalisation for the continuing toll caused by drug trafficking, and called for an approach based on public health, including the legalisation of marijuana. Johnson said the latest shift came as a result of a direct instruction from the new administration. "There was very much an official directive from Washington," he told Reuters. "There was no confusion whatsoever. The [switch on] needle exchange was the clear signal of that." Ethan Nadelmann, the executive director of the Drugs Policy Alliance, which lobbies for alternatives to the war on drugs, welcomed the change. "These statements really indicate a significant shift," he said. "It's not just a repudiation of the Bush administration, it's a repudiation of the Clinton administration. This signals a new direction in US drug policy. This is about all the leading scientists and all the public health people pushing in the same direction and Obama saying he's putting science above politics." In a statement last week announcing the nomination of the new drug czar, Obama said: "With escalating violence along our Southwest border and far too many suffering from addiction here at home, never has it been more important to have a national drug control strategy guided by sound principles of public safety and public health." Kerlikowske faces bruising confirmation hearings in the Senate. After his name was floated for the position, it emerged his stepson has been arrested several times on drug-related charges. Kerlikowske alluded to this at the announcement of his nomination. "Our nation's drug problem is one of human suffering," he said, "and as a police officer, but also in my own family, I have experienced the effects that drugs can have on our youth, our families and our communities." __________________ This is the house that Hip built ! Best free university in the world

03-17-09, 19:14	#3 (permalink)
alounacara Picktish Texas Style... Join Date: Jan 1972 Posts: 2,418	It looks like we are headed in a good direction with Obama`s low priority approach. We might even get to a point where we can grow a certain amount of plants legally for our personal consumption. __________________ Dont take a tone with me * So hard to please WDYWFM? Please do not be the "`Stupes"

03-17-09, 19:41	#6 (permalink)
alounacara Picktish Texas Style... Join Date: Jan 1972 Posts: 2,418	I am not crazy about Obama either but i will be if he legalizes weed in the good old USA __________________ Dont take a tone with me * So hard to please WDYWFM? Please do not be the "`Stupes"

03-17-09, 20:56	#8 (permalink)
SharkieJones Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,150	Good, hope they follow through on all the talk. __________________

03-17-09, 17:07	#2 (permalink)
Arabesque Pimposaurus-Rex Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 102	If this turns out to be true, I think it would be best to follow a european model regarding drug laws. The amount of money spent to fight something as harmless is marijuana could be used instead to help home owners or any other myriad of projects. I remember a lot of misinformation that was given to me as a child in the D.A.R.E. program: "What else is in that weed bag you bought? It could have been thrown on the floor, stepped on, or laced with something!" As if someone is going to spend extra time and money to put more drugs on my eighth bag. I'm sure there are some other bogus things I was told growing up. I don't think this nation can keep fighting to keep drugs far far away when in reality the weed dealer is next door to your family; your kid is stealing your meds from the medicine cabinet. It's time to take a different approach to drugs, one that isn't eerily similar to sex education: abstinence.

03-17-09, 19:19	#4 (permalink)
M&M420 connected Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,492	YAY!!!Man with all this good talk I'm feeling like a kid the night before Christmas.Let's just hope that things continue to look up.Time for me to light a doobie and chill out.Thanks for the read Hyph

03-17-09, 20:19	#7 (permalink)
GreenBastard A Silly Cybernaut Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 43	It's a step in the right direction. There's almost 100 years of bureaucracy to overcome, along with the brewers, distillers and the prison industry.

03-18-09, 07:29	#12 (permalink)
~Hippie3 DUNG DEALER Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 42,760	a baby step in the right direction, a good sign but i want to see the DEA reigned in- call off your dogs mr. president!

03-19-09, 08:04	#13 (permalink)
mushmind campus radical Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 300	i love this dude. even if you don't the alternative was a senile warmonger. Attached Thumbnails __________________ democracy is not a spectator sport! so get out there and be heard!

03-19-09, 09:30	#14 (permalink)
~Hippie3 DUNG DEALER Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 42,760	obama is sending troops to Afghanistan, reckon that makes him a 'warmonger' too eh.

03-19-09, 09:48	#15 (permalink)
roc Old Man Join Date: Mar 1970 Posts: 4,460	My thoughts exactly Hip! __________________ ubuntu! Member of Native Geekaho Tribe. "Think for yourself and question authority"

03-19-09, 10:09	#16 (permalink)
Walls Have Teeth VIP Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 184	I don't know what to think of Obama right now, and what he is trying to do with the right to bear arms doesn't fly so well with me. But... as with any president I hope by the time he is out of office I like him and what he has done for our country, and slowing down the war on drugs to a low priority would be a good start in my book!!! __________________ There is so much talk about the system... and so little understanding.

03-20-09, 11:24	#17 (permalink)
EmmisonJ Pass the Vick's Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 824	that's a nice relieving story to hear. science over politics is not something the government is fond of and will not come easy. let's keep hope alive that logic will win over ignorance and greed.

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