In 1973, two years after President Nixon declared a "war on drugs," New York Governor Rockefeller passed the toughest drug laws in the nation. It was then that the Rockefeller Drug Laws were created, demanding mandatory sentences for people convicted of drug law violations, while removing the Judge's power to...

On April 15, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals denied Cameron Douglas's appeal that challenged his additional 54-month sentence for possessing drugs while imprisoned. The federal appeals court found that the federal trial court had not abused its discretion in sentencing Mr. Douglas to the increased prison time.

The Brazilian Congress is debating a controversial bill, authored by Rep. Osmar Terra (PMDB-RS), which among other setbacks proposes increasing the minimum penalty required from 5 to 8 years for drug-related crimes. History has shown that this is the wrong way to go -- and for evidence of this, it's...

As an activist, I receive many requests for help from people who suffer from injustice or are imprisoned. Recouping lost freedom is the ultimate goal, but it is rarely achieved. However, once in a blue moon, through determination and help from others, this goal is met.

Last year, a...

Today I heard a piece on National Public Radio about the Rockefeller drug laws. It struck me hard -- real hard. That's because 28 years ago today, on Valentine's Day, I blew trial and was sentenced to 15 years to life under the Rockefeller drug laws.

I...

New York is full of fun places to have a good time. One of the hottest places around is Da Marinos, an Italian restaurant/piano bar that sits smack in the middle of the theatre district of Times Square section of Manhattan. Da Marinos has a rich history of...

Dr. David Levine is a chiropractor, who specializes in the treatment of chronic and severe pain. In addition to his successful practice he also donates his time and expertise to those less fortunate. He has a special interest in United States military personnel suffering with acute and chronic pain, as...

With the Thanksgiving holiday season approaching, many New Yorkers will not have food on their table. What can we do about this? I called my friend Noah Lukeman of Project Oatmeal and he pointed out to me that for only 15 cents a day, we can put a...

The right to vote is an important part of being an American citizen. Despite this fact, several state legislatures have introduced bills that would make it harder for you to exercise your right to vote. This effort is unprecedented in scope, well-coordinated, and carefully targeted. African-Americans, Latinos, Asian...

On Friday November 2 The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), the nation's leading organization promoting alternatives to the drug war grounded in science, compassion, health and human rights, will host its fifth re:FORM, art auction and cocktail benefit at C24 Gallery in New York...

Is the Drug War something to laugh at? The team at Narco News TV, under the helm of publisher Al Giordano, have been insisting for years that if we laugh at the war, we just might be able to weaken it and then defeat it. Their most recent...

Before being found guilty of 45 counts of child sex abuse and then being sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison, Jerry Sandusky astounded the nation. He had the audacity to make an unapologetic statement that was broadcast on the Penn State College radio station, accusing his...

On September 18 in Sao Paulo Brazil a new network called "Pense Livre" (Think Free) is being launched. Pense Livre will assemble more than 60 Brazilian leaders to discuss the best practices to reduce damage and violence associated with drug policy.

The Pense Livre Network will aim to...

On Thursday, September 6, the Caravan for Peace with Justice and Dignity will arrive in New York City on its voyage across the United States calling for an end to the failed drug war that has left more than 60,000 dead in Mexico in the last...

Angels do live in Brooklyn. And one of them is Yula Beeri, an Israeli composer, musician and performer who began honing her talents when she was three years old. Influenced by Kate Bush and The Police, she came from Tel Aviv 10 years ago and has been part...

News outlets across the world are reporting about Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps' feat of breaking the record for the most medals ever won by an Olympian. On Thursday night he won his record twentieth career Olympic medal. But the road to being the world's greatest swimmer did not...

Imagine a shot-by-shot recreation of the classic Beatles' movie A Hard Day's Night set not in Liverpool, but on the black and white streets of Mexico City. A quartet of four "fabulously dressed" men in black reminiscent of John, Paul, George and Ringo are being chased by dozens of determinedly...

Joseph "Jazz:" Hayden is a community activist from Harlem whose main goal was to expose the NYPD's stop and frisk campaign. The controversial practice has impacted more than four million residents of New York since it was initiated and raised serious concerns over racial profiling, illegal...

Traditionally, advertising on a billboard was the way to go to get your message out to the masses. But now, a new and unique way of branding is on the rise, using the human body as a billboard. According to Dareh Gregorian of the NY Post, Margarita Dominguez,...

Argentina's dirty war took a step toward closure this week when two former Argentine dictators were found guilty of a plan to steal babies from prisoners who were then kidnapped, tortured and killed.

As reported by the Associated Press, Jorge Rafael Videla...