Anthony Papa is communications specialist for the Drug Policy Alliance. He is an artist, writer, noted advocate against the war on drugs and co-founder of the Mothers of the New York Disappeared. Mr. Papa's stinging editorials about the drug war have appeared in news sources across the country. He is a frequent public speaker and college lecturer on his art and criminal justice issues.

Mr. Papa is the author of 15 to Life: How I Painted My Way to Freedom (2004), a memoir about his experience of being sentenced to state prison for a first-time, nonviolent drug offense under New York's draconian Rockefeller Drug Laws. He has been interviewed by a wide range of national print and broadcast media, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Nation, National Public Radio, Democracy Now, Court TV, Extra, among others. His art has been exhibited widely from the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York to many cultural centers and he has appeared on nationally syndicated talk shows such as Charles Grodin, Geraldo Rivera, and Catherine Crier Live.

Blog Entries by Anthony Papa

Senator Chuck Schumer Running Scared Says Candidate Randy Credico

Posted November 19, 2009 | 09:31 AM (EST)


Stop the presses! Political comedian-turned-activist-turned-candidate for United States Senate Randy Credico has resigned his position as Director of the Kunstler Fund to devote himself full-time to defeating New York Senator Charles Schumer in his re-election bid next year. In the week since he dived in the race he already is...

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David Paterson Does the Right Thing and Drops the Rock

6 Comments | Posted October 7, 2009 | 04:58 PM (EST)


Today is a historic day for New York, the day that the Rockefeller Drug Law reforms kicked in, setting in motion the release of 1,500 low-level nonviolent drug offenders. The new law also gives judicial discretion back to judges, who can now determine whether someone should get treatment for their...

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Here Is Your Chance to Help End the Failed War on Drugs

19 Comments | Posted October 2, 2009 | 05:13 PM (EST)


Everyday we read national headlines about the war on drugs. More and more elected officials are saying the war on drugs is not working and that we need to consider alternatives. There are stories about states like California considering taxing and regulating marijuana. There is coverage about drug prohibition...

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Being Tough on Crime: Not a Winner in New York City DA's Race

4 Comments | Posted September 21, 2009 | 03:23 PM (EST)


On Sep. 15, Cy Vance Jr. overwhelmingly beat Leslie Crocker Snyder in the race to be Manhattan's next district attorney. Since there is no Republican challenger, Vance will be voted into office in November.

Snyder, who built her career as a ruthless prosecutor and judge, was beaten so bad that...

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Leslie Crocker Snyder Exposed

2 Comments | Posted September 10, 2009 | 05:29 PM (EST)


Here is a powerful and poignant video of Terrance Stevens slamming Leslie Crocker Snyder, who is running for Manhattan District Attorney.

While Snyder is campaigning that she is for the reform of the Rockefeller Drug Laws, and has only sentenced kingpins to harsh sentences, this is not true.

...
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Transforming Stories and Saving Kids from War-Zones: EarSay's Art Project

Posted September 10, 2009 | 10:35 AM (EST)


Almost 13 years ago I met Judith Sloan, a performance artist and oral historian. I was fresh out of prison and had an art exhibit at Solo Arts in NYC. It was there I caught one of Judith's performances.

I was impressed with Judith's wit and humor...

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Leslie Crocker Snyder Should Not Be NYC's Next District Attorney

26 Comments | Posted September 4, 2009 | 01:11 PM (EST)


Former Judge Leslie Crocker Snyder and I have a history. Most would say it's a parallel relationship. Crocker was a "hang em' high" judge who was infamous for handing out stiff drug sentences under the Rockefeller Drug Laws. I served a 15 to life sentence under these laws. Crocker wrote...

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Blind, Diabetic, Double-Amputee Dies After Being Evicted for Medical Marijuana Use

18 Comments | Posted September 1, 2009 | 02:04 PM (EST)


When we talk about who has the best slum landlord stories we now have to mention this tragic case.

Marilyn Holsten was 49 years old and in frail health, suffering from diabetes. She'd had both legs amputated, was almost blind, and received dialysis six hours a day. She lived...

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Will Cameron Douglas Do More Prison Time Than Colombia's Top Drug Kingpin?

11 Comments | Posted August 11, 2009 | 11:47 AM (EST)


I recently wrote a blog about Cameron Douglas who now because of the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) and their hype has caused the media to see Cameron as a major drug dealer. I believe Douglas is a small time player who dealt meth because of his drug habit. If...

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Michael Douglas' Son Should Not Go to Prison

86 Comments | Posted August 6, 2009 | 06:14 PM (EST)


Life imitating art always intrigues me. Michael Douglas who starred in Traffic, the Academy-Award-winning film about the drug war in America, now faces a real life situation similar to the role he played in the film. Douglas played the United States Drug Czar whose daughter was addicted to heroin. He...

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Turning Cold Medicine into a Controlled Substance?

1 Comments | Posted July 21, 2009 | 04:34 PM (EST)


Should common chemicals found in cold medications such as pseudoephedrine be made into a controlled substance? I don't think so. But, the city council of Washington, MO disagrees.

Earlier this month they became the first local government in the country to require a prescription for cold medications that contain...

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My Return to Sing Sing Prison: The Agony and The Ecstasy

2 Comments | Posted July 15, 2009 | 12:38 PM (EST)


I swore up and down to myself I would never return. But over a decade later, here I was back at the maximum security prison where I served a 15 to life sentence for a non-violent drug crime under the Rockefeller Drug Laws of New York State.

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Leave Rockefeller Drug Law Reforms Alone

Posted June 2, 2009 | 02:13 PM (EST)


Recently, Gov. Paterson passed legislation that brought meaningful Rockefeller Drug Law reform to New York State. But it did not come easy. Opponents of the reforms fought tooth and nail and swore that bringing forth these changes would open the flood gates of hell. Thank goodness common sense prevailed. But...

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Former Baseball Star Willie Aikens Testifies Before Congress on Crack Cocaine Disparity

3 Comments | Posted May 25, 2009 | 11:49 AM (EST)


On May 21, former major league baseball star Willie Mays Aikens testified at a U.S. House Judiciary Hearing about the harsh drug sentencing laws that put him behind bars for 14 years.

In 1994, Aikens was sentenced to nearly 21 years for crack cocaine distribution, bribery and gun...

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Should Marijuana Be Legalized? Ethan Nadelmann Debates Stephen Baldwin

14 Comments | Posted May 12, 2009 | 03:26 PM (EST)


Last week California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger became the latest and most high-profile U.S. elected official to call for a debate on legalizing marijuana.

On May 12th, CBS News.com ran pro and con marijuana legalization opinion pieces by Ethan Nadelmann of the Drug Policy Alliance and actor...

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Governor David Paterson Does the Right Thing

3 Comments | Posted May 7, 2009 | 05:35 PM (EST)


On April 24, I attended an historic bill-signing ceremony that put another nail in the coffin to halt the 36-year reign of injustice promulgated by the Rockefeller Drug Laws of New York State. The ceremony took place in Corona, Queens, at the Elmcor Community Center. Governor David Paterson was...

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Obama Administration Calls for End to Crack-Powder Sentencing Disparity

9 Comments | Posted April 29, 2009 | 03:53 PM (EST)


On President Obama's 100th day in office the White House asked Congress to address the issue of disparity in penalties for the use of powder/crack cocaine. This historic request follows a national lobby day held yesterday that was co-sponsored by a dozen advocacy groups.

The day brought together voters...

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4/20: National Pot Smokers Day

Posted April 19, 2009 | 03:20 PM (EST)


April 20 is "National Pot Smoking Day." It's a day where people across the world celebrate in the conspicuous consumption of the magical herb, marijuana. It's an unofficial counterculture holiday that is based on the simple concept of smoking some cannabis and being happy.

The history of its...

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Comedian vs. Clown: The Race for Charles Schumer's Senate Seat

Posted March 20, 2009 | 05:52 PM (EST)


Imagine putting a New York City comedian in a political showdown against the senior senator of New York State? Well, it may happen. There is talk of such a showdown floating around cyberspace. Randy Credico political activist and the official comedian of the Fred Dicker radio show is contemplating...

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What Bernie Madoff Can Expect in Prison

Posted March 16, 2009 | 02:10 AM (EST)


Bernie, you are about to face a living hell. How I do I know? In 1985, I was sentenced to 15 years to life under New York's draconian Rockefeller Drug Laws for a first time nonviolent drug crime. So I know all too well what your life is going to...

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