New Drug Czar: "We're Not at War With People in This Country"

Gil Kerlikowske, the president's new head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, scored big points when he told the Wall Street Journal he wants to put an end to the "war on drugs." Which he daringly described as a war on people.

Of course, banishing a phrase amounts to a hollow gesture if it's not backed by deeds. President Truman insisted on calling the military conflict in Korea a "police action" but I'm guessing it felt pretty much like war to its casualties and survivors.

So, in retiring the phrase from the federal lexicon will we really be ending the "War on Drugs"? Hardly. We can reasonably expect in the face of Kerlikowske's pronouncement, an expression of shock and a circling of the wagons from key institutional forces, from frontline drug warriors to profiteering drug traffickers; from well-meaning but naïve PTAs to patronizing, fear-mongering politicians; from Big Pharma to the prison industrial complex. There's just too much at stake, financially and ideologically, to end this remarkably divisive and durable war.

Is the Obama administration serious about implementing drug policy reform? We all know the significance of a presidential budget. It's essentially dollars and cents representing policies and priorities. What does the administration's "National Drug Control Budget" tell us about the Obama approach to drug issues?

In the 2010 budget, prevention takes a 10.6 percent hit while domestic law enforcement gets a boost of 2.3 percent, with "interdiction" (military and police actions designed to stem the flow of drugs into and about the country) gaining 4.4 percent. On the positive side of the ledger, treatment shows a 4.4 percent increase. And what of the never-ending seesaw battle between supply and demand initiatives? Unfortunately, demand reduction efforts (education, prevention) are down 0.8 percent, while (generally futile) supply reduction initiatives (enforcement, burning or poisoning crops) gets a 2.7 percent bump.

Still, it's way too early to dismiss the Obama/Biden/Kerlikowske approach as just so much smoke and mirrors. The country is a-rumble with signs of change. In his confirmation hearing, Kerlikowske came out in strong support of needle exchange programs as part of an overall public health approach, a position he affirmed in the WSJ interview. The new government's putative hands-off policy on DEA raids on medical marijuana dispensaries is most encouraging, especially in light of the Bush administration's punitive, heavy-handed tactics. And there's been an early, unmistakable shift in rhetoric from an enforcement orientation to one favoring treatment of drug offenders.

Drug policy reformers of every stripe are abuzz. They recognize, after lo these many decades that agitation for reform is multiplying exponentially at both the state and federal levels. The prospect of real change is palpable.

Which means the many and varied special-interest proponents of the drug war (which has been very, very good to them) will fortify their positions, enrich their treasuries, and emit a sustained howl of protest.

Which means this is precisely the time that reform activists must step up the pace, adding fresh energy, dollars, and creativity to the campaign for sane and humane drug laws.

Comments

[WritusMaximus]

The War on Drugs always was a misnomer. In a war, any person working for the enemy is considered a traitor and as such is executed. Every drug dealer, from the small time neighborhood hustler to the bankster who launders the drug money, would be shot/hange­d/gassed/b­eheaded/el­ectrocuted­/plain killed. Such was never the case. It was all a joke.

[cartunes]

Does this mean that Don Johnson is making a comeback down here in Miami " Miami Vice"

[Nomadius]

Why there are no wars on "driving and talking on a cell phone" or "driving and having a full meal consisting of a burger, fries & milkshake" and these two are proven to cause a lot of damages, injuries and death, and endangering every single roadway user (here in the US considering the lack of public transportation, it means every single living soul). Why is it that when it was proven that tobacco is addictive and lethal they did not started jailing users and "dealers.

Every decision has a political cost, an economical cost and a social cost (behavoural, educational etc). On the drug case it seems that it is easier to extend the ignorance of all those believing that the problem is the drugs instead the consumption, keep several political small bullets for small political battles instead a great one, and keep an easy tasks for the law enforcement, like busting people with some green leafs in their pockets.

Watch out with those expectations, It's not going to happend, not that soon at least. Exercise, eat healthy, keep your mind busy, dont' let any governement-backed dealer sell their poisons to you (alcohol, tobacco, anti-depressant, pain killers etc) and don't get tempted for cheap adrenaline rush like driving around other drivers texting, chatting and eating.

[TheFobster]

Thank you for your service Norm. Keep up the great work! :)

[FearlessFreep]

"Action talks, bullsh** walks"--AMERICAN BUFFALO

[Joe Wilson]

I will see the change when it happens.. changing the name from war on drugs to something else is still the same thing.. same wolf , just in sheeps clothing. The drug courts that I see posted everyone on the net lately in the news seems to just another swinging door.. If I was busted for say a joint of marijuana, I would be given the option of a drug class or time in jail I would take the jail time, because Im not an addict, and by me taking the easy way out by taking the class I would be adding to their statistics of people going to drug classes for marijuana addict, and that would add 1 more to their false statistics. Why is it a small marijuana charge one is treated like an addict, but if I went to the store after work and picked up a beer, or went to bar every weekend, I wouldn't neccasarily be an alcholic.. the same thing should be applied here.. and too all those that don't take responsibility for their actions and be accountable that blame everything on drugs etc, a prime example is domestic violence, shame on you. It isnt the drugs, lack of sleep, job etc that is the problem. its your need for power and control, and you just added 1 strike against marujuana for example... Prohibition needs to be removed its unconstitu­tional...

[GreatNews27]

So paying companies to offshore jobs, giving taxpayer money to bankers for failure bonuses, torturing our own citizens, tasering at will, murdering handcuffed subway riders, reading our mail, our email, and listening to our phone calls and monitoring our internet traffic is not WAR???? Hell yes it's WAR. And I do not look forward to the day that we have to finally start physically fighting back.

[soonerdru]

I'm unsure of where the author lives, but in our state the treatment people are struggling (begging) just to maintain the CURRENT budget. And for the 'marijuana never caused any harm' people I have to ask, Have you ever seen a 21-30 year old, with a kid and no job or direction in life? These folks are EVERYWHERE, and content to live off the system (your taxes). Yeah, pot's harmless. Please. And I really love the 'if' party. 'If' you don't go past the Gateway, then you'll have no problems. Yeah that really happens. I do agree that alcohol is also a Gateway and would love to see it all given to the Chinese tomorrow.

[Woofer58]

I understand why you feel that way, but perhaps you need to do some deep fact checking.

I think you will find that pot costs to much for poor folks. They will more than likely be using speed, crack or heroin (and, of course, alcohol)- which are currently dirt cheap due to our friends south of the border.
Also, if there actually were jobs, you'd see a lot less folks "everywhere".

I was an addicted bum only 3 years ago, but found treatment for my addictions and have since become a drug counselor who works with very marginalized folks-- mostly ex-cons and veterans.

I see very little in the way of potheads. Crack and alcohol are more common with my clients. Our outreach (for employment) sucks. Very hard for ex-cons and ex-addicts to get into the job force....t­oday.

Uh.... I think the Chinese know about alcohol...­.and opium -- thanks to the British in the 1800's.

[BusGreg]

Thanks for the work you are doing. Here is a link to LEAP and a pdf of former Attorney Carol Silver who worked for the San Francisco Sheriff Dept.'s Prisoner Legal Service.

http://www.leap.cc/cms/docs/CarolRuthSilverResignationLetter.pdf

[loncowber]

Have you ever seen a 50-70 year old with a bigotted opinion and no job or direction in life?

[Scurvybro]

Explain why "harmless" should be a standard for the legalization of marijuana, when it is not for alcohol and tobacco.

Neither of the latter are harmless, yet they are legal. Our society, while acknowledging the harm tobacco and alcohol present, has chosen to give adults the right to choose whether or not to use them. Why shouldn't marijuana be treated the same?

If you're going to argue that marijuana is a profoundly more dangerous substance, and therefore warrants being illegal, present your evidence. And keep it scientific, please. Absent objective evience, your "feelings" will add nothing.

[Mnemanth]

Wow. And here I thought I was successful. Exceptional employment, home owner, excellent health and physical shape, friends, family, continuing education.­..
And I enjoy marijuana.
Yep, people with issues are everywhere, and yes they often times become dependent on, or just plain feed off of, the system. And, yes, they often times take solace in escapism.
Drugs/ alcohol, television, religion..­.
What you describe are not symptoms which you can attribute to the use of marijuana. You can attribute them to apathy, hopelessness, and pessimism. And that is a whole different thread.

[BusGreg]

As well as a society with all the wrong priorities which fuel the dispair and hoplesness. Take a look at how many college grads are trying to pay off their student loans with their careers at places like Burger Thing and Mickey D's!
As far as cxannabis being harmless, consider some science...
http://www.procon.org/viewbackgroundresource.asp?resourceID=1492

[wbgonne]

I wish that smoking marijuana turned me into a 21 year old, jobless, shiftless, or otherwise.

[bobbybee]

Well said, Mr Stamper - and I might note that Mr Kerlikowske was your replacement in Seattle, yes? I have said it before, sir: you are a mentsch.

[Woofer58]

So, Mr Stamper... hooray for you.

I'm glad that a good cop understands the issues. Makes my day. I have also known a few cops, over time, that also were realistic. I've been in many situations where a jerk cop could have arrested me for possesion. But I was 'caught' by cops that let me go because I wasn't going to hurt anyone and I certainly wasn't carrying quantity. They told me to go home and be safe. Even got to show two cops a really cool bong I made myself. They even liked it. It, uh, had a full bowl at the time.
Of course this was in the very early 70's when cops were typically cool about pot. Of course I was always honest and wouldn't try to toss my weed. I'd just say..'you got me.. here's my weed'. I always walked...

[Woofer58]

Here's some interesting reading--

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabinoid_receptor

...and various links from that topic.

What I got from it is that we have co-evolved with weed in a manner that we actually have THC receptors in our body. Two of them- CB1 and CB2
One of the VERY notable things about CB2 is it's role in pain.
Reading more will show other documented benefits of the plant within our bodies.
It is also noted that humans have been using this plant medicinally since recorded history.

It's FEAKING MEDICINE PEOPLE !!!!!!!!!

[Woofer58]

OK, I freak out when I use caps...

I've been reading some more and it astounds me that CB2 works on a fundamental area of the brain that deals with the ability to perceive pain. It's like cannibis and our brain are linked biologically. Spooky stuff.

Do you have any idea how few receptors in our body are specifically linked to a plant chemical that exists outside of our body ?? That's incredible.
For instance heroin triggers a generic receptor that can be triggered by a wide variety of chemicals, but CB2 ONLY reacts with cannibis. It's crazy.

How can this MEDICINE be illegal !!!???

[zizyphus]

It is the people's medicine.

[Woofer58]

amen

[GeromeBaker]

You can drink yourself to death, you can smoke cigarettes freely, and you can even put a bullet in your body (you can become paralyzed or dead, your choice), but you can't smoke (or eat or vaporize) cannabis. I have never seen anyone on pot start a fight, or behave violently in any way. The worst thing most pot smokers are caught doing is smoking pot.
Then, there's the gateway argument, but here's a thought: if you stay at the gate (pot) before moving to harder substances, at least you don't immediately jump into heroin or coke or meth while many will never even try harder stuff. If you don't have a softer substance like pot, what will the gateway be? Something worse, probably. But we know that the gateway theory is crap, made up stuff to control and manipulate data, scare people, etc. Cigarettes and alcohol are gateway substances, too. I used to smoke cigarettes: I felt so sick! I gave that stupid habit up many years ago. I never felt sick in any way with cannabis. Someone is lying...

[Mnemanth]

Dude! The munchies can have some pretty serious consequenc­es...
*urp*

[moldy]

I recently saw a poll where 52% of Americans want pot legal. Let's hope that margin of a majority is enough to scare the crap outa these chicken chit politicians!
Also, Obama stated that the Federal Government will slash their budgets in all of the agencies, etc. Yeah right, when monkeys fly. The new DEA budget is actually higher than last year, more damn lies from Obama and friends!

[BusGreg]

That number would undoubtably be higher if science based debate, allowing equal time were possible. As recent "debates" on CNN show, that is not allowed by special interest pandering mass media; example one Anderson Cooper 360 a night ago and Don Lemon last Saturday.

[zizyphus]

Cooper went to CIA school.

[BusGreg]

Also, I learned the following from Richard Farrell's blog "Begging for Help on Crack Street" here today that: (quote)
"Earlier this month, Obama created a four-point plan of attack. First on his agenda will be an all-out effort to crack down on drug use in cities and towns. Next he'll be sending an increased, unspecified amount of US Border Patrol agents to facilitate his third point of action. For the first time ever, the US Border Patrol will inspect all trains and cars exiting the United States. And finally, Obama released $59 million to Homeland Security for immediate execution in the war against drugs."
This change in labelling the war on drugs (people) is just window dressing and if anything the idiocy is being ramped up under a diffeernt name!

[Woofer58]

Same product; shiny new label ???

[wbgonne]

I disagree. I think Obama won't resist the turn away from prohibition; he may not lead the charge but he won;t get in the way. That's about the best we can hope for right now, unfortunately.

[barrie415]

There is a recently released documentary entitled "Tulia, Texas" that convincingly shows how the 'war on drugs' has become a war on due process, waged against African Americans. Today the United States has the largest prison population in the world; in some states as much as 15 percent of the black male population is incarcerated. This documentary analyses a landmark case, uncovering the deep-rooted assumptions about race and crime that still permeate our society and undermines our justice system.
Hopefully this new administration will many changes to current drug policy and stop using drugs as an excuse to lock up people of color. the film is available from www.newsreel.org

[Woofer58]

you don't have to be 'colored' to think that sucks....

[katermc]

You give me hope. Thank you.