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Medicinal Pot Needs A Vote (Staff Editorial By Don Bishoff In Eugene, Oregon,
'Register-Guard' Pans US Senator Gordon Smith's Campaign
Against Medical Marijuana, Endorses The Medical Marijuana Ballot Initiative
As Necessary In The Face Of Politics And Government Indifference,
And Recounts Oregon's Brief History Of Legal Medical Marijuana,
In 1979)

Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 11:54:08 -0800
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
From: Olafur Brentmar 
Subject: MN: US OR: Column: Medicinal Pot Needs A Vote!
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Newshawk: Olafur Brentmar 
Pubdate: Mon, 20 April 1998
Source: Register-Guard, The (Oregon)
Contact: tbaker@guardnet.com
Website: http://www.registerguard.com/
Note: To contact Don Bishoff call GuardLine, 485-2000
and enter category 3828. His e-mail address is
dbishoff@guardnet.com

MEDICINAL POT NEEDS A VOTE!

LITERALLY surrounding themselves with school kids, Sen. Gordon Smith and
Oregon police chiefs piously proclaimed last week that the medical use of
marijuana shouldn't be decided at the ballot box.

Oh? Then if not there, where?

It certainly isn't being decided in Congress, where Smith introduced a
wrongheaded anti-medical marijuana resolution that doesn't even do what he
says it does. Nor in the Oregon Legislature, where a medical marijuana
proposal got exactly two minutes of public hearing - and no vote - last session.

Nor in the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, which in 1988 overruled
its own administrative law judge's conclusion that some medical use of pot
should be permitted.

So why not decide it at the ballot box, through one of the initiative
petitions proposed for Oregon's November general election? Just what the
initiative was invented for - a chance for the people to take action on
something that nobody else will touch.

Republican Smith and others appeared at a press conference at a police
chiefs' meeting in Eugene, to which a group of young people had been invited.

They contended that legalizing pot - even to relieve pain and other
suffering of the seriously ill - will send the wrong message about drugs to
such young people.

Oh? And what message would that be? That it's wrong for a doctor to try to
ease intractable nausea, vomiting or pain?

That's all that one of the Oregon medical marijuana initiatives calls for.
The Oregon Medical Marijuana Act would allow the use of home-grown pot, with
a doctor's approval, to relieve symptoms ' ms associated with cancer, AIDS,
glaucoma, Lou Gehrig's disease, multiple sclerosis and paralysis.

Patients would be limited in the amounts they could grow, would have to have
written documentation from a doctor, and have "a state Health Division
issued ID card.

Yet Smith and the others contended that such a measure would somehow
undermine cops' attempts to curb traffic in hard drugs. It was never clear
exactly how.

Smith said he's introduced a budget amendment specifying "that we not use
federal monies for purposes of legalizing medicinal use of marijuana, but
that we actually spend more, and research more, to find ways to relieve
human suffering."

But neither the first draft of his measure, passed out by his staff, nor a
second, provided later, would do that.

The first version simply bans using federal funds in any way "for the
purpose of the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes." When I pointed out
that it didn't mention any of the research Smith was talking about, the
second version was produced.

Handwritten onto the end was "except that this section shall not apply to
medical research and investigational new drug programs under the Food & Drug
Administration."

Still nothing in there directing that "we actually spend more and research
more." Maybe in the next version.

To some of us, this issue has a familiar ring You see, Oregon actually
legalized the medical use of marijuana - 19 years ago!

A conservative Republican legislator, Cecil Johnson, pushed it through the
'79 Legislature, and a conservative Republican governor, Vic Atiyeh, signed
it into law.

"A lady named Jean Lovejoy had an organization called 'Make Today Count,' "
said Johnson, today an 80-year-old retired farmer. "I met with 'em and those
with cancer had their husbands out on the street making illegal purchases of
marijuana. They convinced me that in certain health conditions it did work."

Lovejoy used pot, sometimes baked in brownies, to relieve nausea from cancer
treatments. But she died a year or two later, without ever getting a legal dose.

Johnson's bill called for the state Health Division to get pot seized by
state police in drug busts and make it available to physicians, certifying
that it was contamination-free.

But division Administrator Kristine Gebbie said there was no way to test and
certify such pot, and other division attempts to make the law work foundered
in delay and/or disinterest.

So the law was later quietly repealed. But Johnson still thinks it was a
good idea:

"I'm convinced of it, if somehow they could work out the availability.
People are still breaking the law - and they don't want to do that, and it
costs way more than it should."

I suggested that he share his wisdom with fellow conservative Republican
Gordon Smith.

"Yeah, I might talk to him," Johnson said. "You've got to understand it to
be in favor of it, and you've got to talk to some of the people that use it."

Which is what Smith and the chiefs should have done before calling a press
conference.

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Seattle Media List (List Subscriber Puts Together An Excellent
And Comprehensive List With Contact Information)

Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 16:44:07 -0700 (PDT)
From: turmoil 
To: hemp-talk@hemp.net
Subject: HT: Seattle Media List (LONG)
Sender: owner-hemp-talk@hemp.net

I called each of these Seattle area media outlets in the last few days and
asked them for thier snail mail address to send press releases, and also a
fax and email for sending press releases. I have only listed FAX numbers
and Email Addresses for outlets that accept press releases by that
method. With some exception this is Seattle Media Only....

The home of this list is http://seattlemusicweb.com/media
Please email corrections or additions to turmoil@hemp.net

hopefully this is useful and not too repetitious of other projects...

Newspapers----

Arlington Times (Arlington)
360/435-5757 - voice
PO Box 67
Arlington WA 98223
360/435-0999 FAX

Asia Today (Seattle)
206/365-8807
Phone rings and rings, no answer...

Axis Music & Media Dispatch
360/ 753-6778
120 State Ave NE #181
Olympia WA 98501
360/753-6778

Bainbridge Review (Bainbridge Island)
206) 842-6613 VOICE
PO Box 10817
Bainbridge, WA 98110
206/842-5867 FAX
bireview@bainbridgeisland.net

Ballard News-Tribune (Seattle)
206/783-1244 VOICE
2208 NW Market Street #202
Seattle 98107
789-2455 FAX

Beacon Hill News/South District Journal (Seattle)
206/461-1300 VOICE
2314 3rd Ave
Seattle, WA 98121-1789
wordgang@nwlink.com
NO FAXES

Capitol Hill Times (Seattle)
206/461-1300 VOICE
2314 3rd Ave
Seattle, WA 98121-1789
wordgang@nwlink.com
NO FAXES

Catholic Northwest Progress (Seattle)
206/382-4850 VOICE
910 Marion St.
Seattle WA 98104
206/382-3487 FAX

Central Kitsap Reporter (Bremerton)
360/308-9161 VOICE
9989 Silverdale WAy NW
Suite 109
Silverdale, WA 98383
360/308-9363 FAX

Chinese Business Journal (Seattle)
206/624-8781
voice mail

Daily (Seattle)
206/543-2700 VOICE
132 Communications
Box 635928
University of WA
Seattle, WA 98295
206/543-2645 FAX

Daily Journal of Commerce (Seattle)
206/622-8272 VOICE
PO Box 11050
Seattle, WA 98111
206/622-8416 FAX
press@djc.com

Dispatch: City Edition (Seattle)
206/441-8123
2318 2nd Ave.
#366 A
Seattle, WA 98122
No Fax or email for press releases
Please limit press releases to those effecting Bell Town

Eastside Week (Kirkland)
206/623-0500
1008 Western Ave.
Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98104
206/467-4377 FAX
mailto:ebaillargeon@seattleweekly.com
Actually, each writer has his/her own email address -
letters@seattleweekly.com is for letters to the editor.
sim@seattleweekly.com is the address to the calander section
jbush@seattleweekly.com is for James Bush who is listed as "politcal
writer" complete list of email at
http://www.seattleweekly.com/about_us/index.html

Facts (Seattle)
206/324-0552
2765 E. Cherry
Seattle, WA 98122
206/324-1007 FAX

Federal Way News (Federal Way)
253/815-7600
DISCONECTED PHONE!

Filipino-American Herald (Seattle)
425/712-1947
Message Machine -
425/771-5230 FAX

Hispanic News (Seattle)
206/763-8090
2318 2nd Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
206/763-6886 FAX

International Examiner (Seattle)
206/624-3925
622 S. Washington
Seattle, WA 98104
206/624-3046 FAX

Issaquah Press (Issaquah)
425/392-6434
PO Box 1328
Issaquah 98027
425/391-1541 FAX
no email please

Jewish Transcript (Seattle)
206/441-4553
2041 3rd Ave.
Seattle, WA 98121
206/441-2736 FAX
jewishtran@aol.com

Journal American (Bellevue)
425/455-2222
PO Box 90130
Bellevue, WA 98009
425/635-0603 FAX
each person has own email - if you mail to PO Box, include dept. you
would like to recieve it.

Journal of Commerce
206/622-8272
PO Box 11050
Seattle, WA 98111
206/622-8416 FAX
maude@djc.com - editor

Kirkland Courier (Kirkland)
425/822-9166
733 7th Ave #204
Kirkland WA 98033

Korea Central Daily News (Seattle)
206/365-4000
13749 Midvale Ave
Seattle, WA 98133

La Voz (Seattle)
206/461-4891
157 Yesler Way
Suite 400
Seattle, WA 98104
206/461-4893 FAX

Labor World (Spokane)
509/327-7637
102 E. Boone Ave
Suite 107
Spokane, WA 99202
509/327-2331
No Email

Madison Park Times (Seattle)
206/461-1300
2314 3rd Ave
Seattle, WA 98121-1789
wordgang@nwlink.com
NO FAXES Please

Medium (Seattle) - also has radio station? KRIZ
206/323-3070
2600 S. Jackson
Seattle, WA 98144
NO FAXES - Please snail -mail

Mercer Island Reporter (Mercer Island)
206/232-1215
PO 38
Mercer Isl 98040
206/232-1284 FAX
mireprtr@horvitz.com

Morning News Tribune (Tacoma)
253/597-8742
PO Box 11000
Tacoma WA 98411
253/597-8274 FAX
drm@p.tribnet.com - crime and saftey team leader -

North American Post (Seattle)
206/623-0100
PO Box 3173
Seattle, WA 98114
206/625-1424 FAX

Northwest Prime Time Journal (Kirkland) (for 55years + Monthly)
425/827-9737
10827 NE 68th St. K
Kirkland, WA 98033 by 12th of month for following month
425/828-9176 FAX
nptj@retirehouse.com

Olympian (Olympia)
360/754-5400
PO Box 407
Olympia 98507
360/357-0202 FAX

Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle)
206/583-0701
720 3rd Ace
Suite 800
Seattle WA 98104
206/447-8510 FAX
psbiz@aol.com

Queen Anne/Magnolia News (Seattle)
206/282-0900
2314 3rd Ave
Seattle, WA 98121-1789
wordgang@nwlink.com
NO FAXES

The Rocket
206/728-7625
2028 5th Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
206/728-8827 FAX
No Email -

Real Change
206/441-3247
2129 2nd Ave.
Seattle, WA 98121
call before faxing 441-8847
rchange@speakeasy.org - email is preferred for press releases -

Seattle Chinese Post/Northwest Asian Weekly (Seattle)
206/223-0623
414 8th Ave S.
Seattle WA 98104
206/223-0626

Seattle Gay News (Seattle)
206/324-4297
1605 12th AVe #31
Seattle, WA 98122
206/322-7188 FAX
email down frequently FAX or snail mail better.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Seattle)
206/467-6000
PO BOX 1909
Seattle, WA 98111
206/448-8166 FAX
A complete list of email addresses for metro reporters is available at
- http://www.seattle-pi.com/pi/facts/pistaff.html

Seattle Press (Seattle)
206/547-9660
No Answer

Seattle Times, metro edition (Seattle)
206/464-2200
PO Box 70
Seattle WA 98111
206/464-2261

Seattle Weekly (Seattle)
206/623-0500
1008 Western Ave.
Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98104
206/467-4377 FAX
mailto:ebaillargeon@seattleweekly.com
Actually, each writer has his/her own email address -
letters@seattleweekly.com is for letters to the editor.
sim@seattleweekly.com is the address to the calender section
jbush@seattleweekly.com is for James Bush who is listed as "politcal
writer" complete list of email at
http://www.seattleweekly.com/about_us/index.html

Shisha Journal (Seattle)
253/838-4592
253/838-4069 FAX

Small Business Journal (Seattle)
206/281-5854
???? Wrong number??

Sun (Bremerton)
360/377-3711
PO Box 259
Bremerton 98337
360/479-7681 FAX
email only to specific reporters

University Herald (Seattle)
206/461-1300 VOICE
2314 3rd Ave
Seattle, WA 98121-1789
wordgang@nwlink.com
NO FAXES

West Seattle Herald/White Center News (Seattle)
206/932-0300
3500 SW Alaska
Seattle, WA 98126
206/937-1223 FAX
Please do not email press releases

Western Viking (Seattle)
206/784-4617
PO Box 70408
Seattle WA 98107
No Fax or Email

***

Radio Stations

KBLE (Seattle)
206/324-2000
114 Lakeside Ave
Seattle, 98122
206/322-4670 FAX
operations@kble.com

KBSG (Seattle)
206/343-9700 FAX
1730 Minor Ave.
20th Floor
Seattle, WA 98101
206/343-0481 FAX

KCIS (Seattle) - christian radio
206/546-7350
left message

KCMS (Seattle)
206/546-7350 - same as above

KCMU (Seattle)
206/543-2710
KUOW
Box 353750
Seattle, WA 98195
206/543-2720 FAX
best to fax

KEZX (Seattle)
206/441-3699
2615 4th Ave
Suite 150
Seattle, WA 98121
We Don't do news

KGNW (Seattle)
206/443-8200
Inspiration Radio Group
2815 2nd Ave
Suite 550
Seattle WA 98121
206/443-1561 FAX
No Email

KING (Seattle)
206/448-3981
No News Room. Only accept PSA's for classical events.

KIRO (Seattle)
206/726-7000
1820 Eastlake Ave E.
Seattle, WA 98102
206/726-7001 FAX
john.king@kiroradio.com

KISS (Seattle)
206/282-5477
3131 Elliot Ave
Suite 750
Seattle, 98121
206/282-3531 FAX
No Email

KISW (Seattle)
206/285-7625
206/282-7018 FAX to Jim Kampmann
Fax is best, no email please.

KJR (Seattle)
206/285-2295
190 Queen Anne Ave N.
Suite 100
Seattle, 98109
206/286-2376 FAX

KKDZ (Seattle)
206/382-1250
disconnected...

KKMO (Seattle)
206/287-1500
no answer... ring ring ring...

KMPS (Seattle)
206/443-9400
PO Box 24888
Seattle 98124
206/441-1411 FAX
No Email

KMTT (Seattle)
206/233-1037
1100 Olive Way
Suite 1650
Seattle WA 98101
206/233-8979 FAX
No Email

KNDD (Seattle)
206/622-3251
1100 Olive Way
Suite 1550
Seattle, WA 98101
206/682-8349
No Email

KNHC (Seattle)
206/281-6215
disconnected number -

KNWX (Seattle)
206/726-7000
1820 Eastlake Ave E.
Seattle, WA 98102
206/726-7001
john.king@kiroradio.com

KOMO (Seattle)
206/223-5700
1809 7th Ave.
Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98101
206/516-3110 FAX News
206/516-3179 FAX PSAs (events)
no email

KPLU (Seattle)
206/340-0230
1/800-677-5758
Pacific Lutheran University.
Tacoma, WA 98447
253/535-8332 FAX
Please no email press releases

KPLZ (Seattle)
SAME AS KOMO

KRIZ (Seattle) Seattle Medium
206/329-7880
206/323-3070
2600 S. Jackson
Seattle, WA 98144
NO FAXES - Please snail -mail

KRWM (Seattle)
425/401-0049
No Answer - ring ring ring -

KUBE (Seattle)
206/285-2295
190 Queen Anne Ave N
Suite 100
Seattle, WA 98109
206/286-2376 FAX

KUOW
206/543-2710
Box 353750
Seattle 98195
206/543-2720 FAX

KVI (Seattle)
See KOMO

KXPA
206/292-7800
ring ring ring, no answer...

KYCW (Seattle)
Young Country

KZOK (Seattle)
206/443-1025
PO Box 24888
Seattle, WA 98124
206/727-2345 FAX

***

Television Stations

KCTS-TV (Seattle)
206/728-6463
401 Mercer St.
Seattle, WA 98109
206/443-6691 FAX
No Email please

KING-TV (Seattle)
206/448-5555
333 Dexter Ave N.
Seattle, WA 98109
206/448-4525 FAX
No Email Please

KIRO-TV (Seattle)
206/728-7777
2807 3rd Ave.
Seattle, WA 98121
206/441-4840 FAX
kironews7@kiro-tv.com

KOMO-TV (Seattle)
206/443-4145
100 4th Ave
Seattle, WA 98109
206/443-3422 FAX
better to use mail or FAX

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Sheriff Closes Pot Club, Slams Court Order ('Associated Press'
Notes San Francisco Sheriff Mike Hennessey Reluctantly Shut Down
The San Francisco Cannabis Cultivators Club Today)

Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 22:33:03 -0700
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
From: jwjohnson@netmagic.net (Joel W. Johnson)
Subject: MN: US: Wire: Sheriff Closes Pot Club, Slams Court Order
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Newshawk: David.Hadorn@vuw.ac.nz (David Hadorn)
Source: Associated Press
Pubdate: Mon, 20 Apr 1998

SHERIFF CLOSES POT CLUB, SLAMS COURT ORDER

A sheriff reluctantly shut down San Francisco's largest medical marijuana
club Monday, as organizers waited in the wings to reopen under another
name.

San Francisco Sheriff Mike Hennessey served Cannabis Cultivators Club
founder Dennis Peron with an order closing down the operation and ordered
the building vacated. Peron and his followers cooperated peacefully.

Hennessey made it clear he opposed the court order initiated by state
Attorney General Dan Lungren, whom Peron is opposing in a David vs. Goliath
campaign in the Republican gubernatorial primary.

``I support the medicinal marijuana law in the state of California, and it
does seem this is an attempt to thwart that law,'' Hennessey said.

The sheriff also said he would not move against the club's successor
agency, the Cannabis Healing Center, which was opening under a new director
at the same site. ``That has nothing to do with this court order,'' he
said.

Peron started the club four years ago and was a prime mover behind the
successful 1996 drive for the state's medicinal marijuana law, which allows
the sale of marijuana to patients for medical use. Monday, he emerged from
the club with his belongings -- including a pot plant -- packed in a
cardboard box.

``It's been an honor to lead you into a more loving and compassionate
society, and it's very sad for me to have this moment in my life,'' Peron
said to the shouts of ``Peron! Peron!'' from 75 supporters.

The court order to close down the club was based on pot sales to
caregivers, rather than to patients. Peron, who has sold pot to caregivers,
called the issue a technicality that Lungren had seized on, but took
responsibility for the error.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Linda McCartney Dies Of Cancer At 56 ('Washington Post'
Says The Former Photographer Who Died April 17 In Santa Barbara,
California, Like Her Husband, Former Beatle Paul McCartney,
Made Headlines As A Result Of An Open Fondness For Marijuana)

Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 22:23:15 -0400
To: DrugSense News Service 
From: Richard Lake 
Subject: MN: Linda McCartney Dies Of Cancer At 56
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Newshawk: rlake@mapinc.org
Source: Washington Post
Author: Richard Pearson, Washington Post Staff Writer
Contact: http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/edit/letters/letterform.htm
Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Pubdate: Monday, 20 April 1998

LINDA MCCARTNEY DIES OF CANCER AT 56

Wife of Former Beatle Paul; U.S.-Born Photographer a Musician, Vegetarian,
Animal Lover

Linda McCartney, 56, a musician, photographer, noted vegetarian and animal
rights activist who was the wife of the former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney,
died of cancer April 17 in Santa Barbara, Calif.

A statement issued by Paul McCartney's office said that Mrs. McCartney, who
had been treated for breast cancer from 1995 to 1997, learned in March that
cancer had spread to her liver. The statement also reported that the
McCartneys had been on vacation in Santa Barbara, and that the couple had
been riding horses two days before her death.

A spokesman for the family said Paul McCartney has asked that instead of
flowers, people make a donation to cancer research or animal welfare
charities -- or simply "go veggie."

The former Linda Eastman grew up in Scarsdale, N.Y., and studied art
history at the University of Arizona. She then took a job as a receptionist
with Town and Country magazine in New York. She began taking pictures of
rock groups, including the Rolling Stones. She was acclaimed by one critic
for "moody, gritty" studies.

She met her future husband in 1967 while in London and married him there
two years later.

After the breakup of the Beatles, Paul McCartney recorded a solo album,
"McCartney," in 1970, which sold more than a million copies in weeks. The
next year, he and Mrs. McCartney, who had learned to play keyboards,
synthesizer and percussion, released the album "Ram." It was a popular
success but received mixed reviews from critics.

The McCartneys, with guitarist Denny Laine and other musicians, then formed
the group Wings, barnstorming the world to critical acclaim. Linda
McCartney played the keyboard and sang. The groups' albums "Band on the
Run," released in 1973, and "Venus and Mars," in 1975, went platinum.

In 1973, both McCartneys were nominated for a best song Academy Award for
the theme they wrote for the James Bond film "Live and Let Die." In 1984,
the former Beatle wrote, produced and starred in a 20th Century Fox film,
"Give My Regards to Broad Street," in which Linda McCartney also appeared.

The Wings single "Mull of Kintyre," which was recorded in 1977, is said to
be one of the biggest-selling singles ever.

Linda McCartney became known not only for her music and photography but
also for a variety of causes and beliefs. An ardent and lifelong
vegetarian, she eventually came to market her own line of vegetarian foods.
In 1991, she published a vegetarian cookbook.

An animal lover whose great passion was said to be horseback riding, she
was active in animal-rights causes, as well as charities for children and
the Third World. She had long been especially active in People for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals.

And, like her husband, she also made headlines as a result of an open
fondness for marijuana.

The McCartneys avoided the jet set, preferring to bring up their children
quietly in out-of-the-way houses in southern England and Scotland.

Mrs. McCartney's marriage to geophysicist John Melvyn See ended in divorce.

In addition to her husband, survivors include their three children, Mary,
Stella, and James; and a daughter from her first marriage, Heather.

(c) Copyright 1998 The Washington Post Company

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Drug Plane Crashes, Bystanders Steal Cargo ('Orange County Register'
Notes One Informal Man-On-The-Street Poll In Detroit Finds Little Support
For Marijuana Prohibition)

Date: Wed, 22 Apr 1998 00:00:19 -0700
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
From: jwjohnson@netmagic.net (Joel W. Johnson)
Subject: MN: US IL: Drug Plane Crashes, Bystanders Steal Cargo
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Newshawk: John W.Black
Source: Orange County Register (CA)
Contact: letters@link.freedom.com
Website: http://www.ocregister.com/
Pubdate: Mon, 20 Apr 1998

DRUG PLANE CRASHES, BYSTANDERS STEAL CARGE

A small plane loaded with marijuana crashed in a baseball field Sunday
night in Detroit after being chased from Texas by U.S. Customs planes.
Residents ran to help, but some fled with bundles of drugs while the pilot
was dying, witnesses said.

Three Customs planes had been chasing the aircraft - carrying 300 pounds of
marijuana - since El Paso, Texas, Fire Chief Lee Moore said. The pilot
apparently ran low on fuel before crashing in the field, about 1,500 miles
from El Paso.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

An Ally In The War On Drugs (Letter From US Representative Silvestre Reyes
Of Texas, A Former US Border Patrol Agent, To Editor Of 'Washington Post,'
Says The Most Important Lesson He Learned While Working On The Border
Is That To Be Successful In The War On Some Drugs, The United States
Must Help Mexico Reform Its Police Apparatus And Legal And Judicial Systems)

Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 22:00:34 -0400
To: DrugSense News Service 
From: Richard Lake 
Subject: MN: WP OPED: An Ally in the War on Drugs
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Newshawk: rlake@mapinc.org
Source: Washington Post
Author: Silvestre Reyes
Note: The writer, a Democrat, is a U.S. representative from Texas.
Contact: http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/edit/letters/letterform.htm
Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Pubdate: Monday, 20 April 1998

An Ally in the War on Drugs

I live on our nation's border with Mexico. I have firsthand knowledge and
experience of our nation's "war on drugs." I spent more than 26 years of my
life on the front line of that "war" as a Border Patrol agent, enforcing
our nation's immigration and narcotics laws. For 11 of those years, I was
the Border Patrol sector chief in McAllen, Tex., and El Paso.

The most important lesson I learned while working on the border is that to
be successful in our fight against drug trafficking, we must help Mexico
reform its police apparatus as well as its legal and judicial systems. If
the United States and Mexico are to stop drug smuggling, we must cooperate
and work in an environment of mutual understanding. Because about 60
percent of the cocaine on the streets of the United States passes through
Mexico, its cooperation is vital to any counter-drug effort. Merely
criticizing Mexico achieves nothing.

The United States consumes more than $5 billion a year in illegal drugs. We
should own up to our responsibility and stop trying to blame others.
Indeed, a recent survey found that 46 percent of Americans believe that
Americans are responsible for the problem of illegal drugs in the United
States. Interestingly, 50 percent of those same Americans believe that
certification should be made tougher. They believe that we as a country are
responsible for creating the demand, but we need to punish foreign nations
for our problem. We should not continue to use the certification process as
a forum to vent the frustrations we as a nation feel about the devastating
impact of drugs on our communities.

The Mexican government bristles at the annual certification process,
viewing it as an affront to their nation and an infringement on their
sovereignty. The Mexican ambassador to the United States, Jesus
Reyes-Heroles, refers to the certification process as "the most stressful
period each year in the relationship between the two nations. This stress
does not, in our view, enhance the cooperation essential to defeat this
mutual scourge."

Our nation shares a 2,000-mile border with Mexico, but we along the border
share more than that with our neighbors to the south. Not only have our
economies long been interdependent, but our cultures also are tied by more
than 400 years of history.

Since the implementation of NAFTA in 1993, communities on both sides of the
border have become an integral part of the hemispheric trade success of
North America with Latin America. American exports to Mexico increased by
126 percent from 1990 to 1996. The trade pact not only makes economic
sense, it is also a logical evolution of international trade and commerce.
It is a vibrant success story in the making, but it can be jeopardized by
the process of certification and the contentious issues associated with it
each year.

Mexico's efforts in this "war on drugs" are notable and should not be
overlooked. In the past year, Mexico has enacted money-laundering
legislation and created new investigative units to help root out official
corruption. The Mexicans also have begun to rebuild their anti-drug
institutions under the leadership of Attorney General Jorge Madrazo.

The Mexican government also has improved its efforts relating to
extradition and has signed a bilateral extradition protocol. Mexico City
already has approved the extradition of 27 fugitives from U.S. justice. Of
the 27, 13 fugitives were extradited (seven for drug crimes) while the
remaining 14 have appealed their extraditions.

We must continue to build on this kind of progress. The United States
policy of judging the drug-fighting efforts of other countries is
counterproductive and must be changed if we are to have any real impact on
international drug trafficking. We must develop a process in which we
engage our partners through cooperation rather than confrontation.

(c) Copyright 1998 The Washington Post Company

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Charges Dropped Against MS Patient Who Used Medicinal Marijuana
In Congressman's Office (Marijuana Policy Project In Washington, DC,
Says Cheryl & Jim Miller Go Free After Eating Cannabis In DC Office
Of California Representative James Rogan - More Civil Disobedience
Expected In Near Future)

Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 23:02:39 EDT
Originator: medmj@drcnet.org
Sender: medmj@drcnet.org
From: Marijuana Policy Project 
To: Multiple recipients of list 
Subject: Charges Dropped Against M.S. Patient Who Used Medicinal Marijuana
in Congressman's Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 20, 1998

** Charges Dropped Against Multiple Sclerosis Patient **
** Who Used Medicinal Marijuana in Congressman's Office **

Protesters Announce:
It's Safe to Use Medicinal Marijuana in Washington, D.C.

More Civil Disobedience is Expected in Near Future

Washington, D.C. -- At their arraignment in D.C. Superior Court today,
marijuana possession charges against multiple sclerosis patient
Cheryl Miller and her husband, Jim, were dropped. On the morning of
March 30, 1998, Cheryl Miller, who is severely disabled, used
medicinal marijuana in U.S. Rep. Jim Rogan's (R-Calif.) office with
the help of her husband and caregiver, Jim Miller. Both were arrested
and subsequently charged with possession of marijuana, an offense
punishable by up to six months in jail.

The Millers committed this historic act of civil disobedience to
protest against House Resolution 372. The resolution, which the House
is expected to address within the next two weeks, states that the
House is "unequivocally opposed to legalizing marijuana for medicinal
use" and "urges the defeat of State initiatives which would seek to
legalize marijuana for medicinal use."

This was the first time that anyone has ever been arrested for
using medicinal marijuana in a congressional office building.
Furthermore, the vote on House Resolution 372 will be the first-ever
congressional vote on medicinal marijuana legislation.

"Eating marijuana relieves my pain and spasticity," said Cheryl
Miller. "We were arrested, locked up, fingerprinted, and charged with
marijuana possession. We were willing to serve a six-month sentence,
but the court was afraid to uphold this bad law."

"We were arrested in an act of nonviolent civil disobedience to
protest House Resolution 372," said Jim Miller, Cheryl's husband and
caregiver, who fed her the marijuana in Rep. Rogan's office in front
of more than 20 television cameras.

WHY ROGAN?

"We targeted Rogan because he betrayed patients," said Jim Miller.
"Rogan supported medicinal marijuana in the past, but now he supports
upholding the laws that cause patients like Cheryl to be arrested and
imprisoned."

Rogan voted for favorable medicinal marijuana legislation in the
California legislature in 1995. However, in the U.S. House Judiciary
Committee on March 4, 1998, Rogan voted for the resolution that
"unequivocally" opposes medicinal marijuana.

"Tens of thousands of patients nationwide are using medicinal
marijuana," said Chuck Thomas, director of communications for the
Washington, D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project. "The federal penalty
is up to one year in prison for a joint -- and up to five years for a
plant. Congress should remove criminal penalties for patients like
Cheryl Miller, instead of proclaiming its `unequivocal' opposition."

"Rogan is trying to weasel out of this controversy by saying that
he supports medicinal marijuana in some situations, but he voted for a
resolution that states `unequivocal' opposition. You can't be partially
`unequivocally' opposed," said MPP's Chuck Thomas.

"Moreover, the protest was primarily about House Resolution 372,
not Congressman Rogan," said Chuck Thomas. "We picked Rogan in order
to send the message that we will target not only the congressional
leadership, but everyone who votes for this cruel legislation."

TIME FOR NONVIOLENT DIRECT ACTION

"Patients across the nation are being punished for using
medicinal marijuana," said Thomas. "Here in Washington, under the
scrutiny of the public eye, the government is too afraid to prosecute.
This sends the message that it's safe to protest against the federal
laws by using medicinal marijuana in Washington, D.C. We anticipate
much more civil disobedience in the near future."

"I was tired of living in fear of being arrested," said Cheryl
Miller. "Patients like me need to confront their fears. It's better to
get arrested in Washington for protesting to change the laws than to
get arrested in our hometowns where we will surely be prosecuted and
punished, with no greater good accomplished."

ABOUT CHERYL AND JIM MILLER

Cheryl Miller, age 51, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in
1971. She and her husband Jim live in Silverton, New Jersey. Cheryl
has taken all of the standard prescription drugs for her condition.
She had to stop taking Dantrium, because of liver toxicity, and
injectable steroid ACTH, because it is no longer available due to
several harmful side effects. She still takes baclofen and other
drugs -- all of which have harmful side effects.

In 1992, Cheryl's neurologist prescribed Marinol, which consists
of THC, marijuana's primary active ingredient, in a gelatin capsule.
"The THC pill helps, but not as much as eating marijuana," said Cheryl
Miller. "My doctor told me that he would prescribe marijuana if it
were legal, but he was afraid to put anything in writing."

Because Cheryl cannot move her arms, her husband Jim feeds her
the marijuana. Cheryl eats marijuana to avoid the harm that marijuana
smoke may cause in the respiratory system. Unlike the THC pill,
marijuana contains 60 other active chemical compounds, called
cannabinoids, several of which have been shown to be effective at
treating pain and spasticity.

Cheryl's demonstration has received extensive television news
coverage, including ABC's 'World News This Morning'; Fox News Channel's
'Fox News Now', and dozens of local news programs across the nation.
Video footage of the demonstration appeared on-line as the AP video
of the day on March 31, 1998 (http://www.mpp.org/millers.html).
Other coverage included a photo in 'USA Today' and an article in the
'Los Angeles Times'.

- END -

For up-to-date information on the status of House Resolution 372,
please see http://www.mpp.org/la031398.html.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

US Won't Fund Needle Exchanges ('Associated Press'
Says The Clinton Administration Declared Today That It Will Not Allow
Federal Tax Dollars To Fund The Programs)

Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 10:14:51 -0700
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
From: jwjohnson@netmagic.net (Joel W. Johnson)
Subject: MN: US: Wire: U.S. Won't Fund Needle Exchanges
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Newshawk: Marcus-Mermelstein Family  and
David.Hadorn@vuw.ac.nz (David Hadorn)
Source: Associated Press
Pubdate: Mon, 20 Apr 1998

U.S. WON'T FUND NEEDLE EXCHANGES

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Programs that let drug addicts exchange used needles for
clean ones fight AIDS and do not encourage illegal drug use, the Clinton
administration declared today -- but it will not allow federal tax dollars
to fund the programs.

The administration hopes that a strong endorsement will encourage
communities to start their own needle exchanges. But AIDS activists have
said that federal money -- so far banned -- is key, and they see the
decision, announced today by Health and Human Services Secretary Donna
Shalala, as a defeat.

``We have concluded that needle exchange programs, as part of a
comprehensive HIV prevention program, will decrease the transmission of HIV
and will not encourage the use of illegal drugs,'' Shalala said today.

But she said the program should be designed -- and funded -- by local
communities. Asked why a program could not be locally designed but
federally funded, she said: ``We had to make a choice. It was a decision.
It was a decision to leave it to local communities.''

An administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the
decision to endorse the programs was based on science, but the decision not
to fund them came after consultations with the White House.

Shalala is telling state and local officials that to start a needle
exchange, the programs must be part of a comprehensive HIV prevention
strategy that includes referring participants to drug treatment and
counseling. Also, needles must be made available only on a replacement
basis.

AIDS activists were stunned by the decision, questioning how federal public
health officials could say that needle exchanges work but then decline to
fund them.

``It's like saying the world is not flat but not funding Columbus'
voyage,'' said Daniel Zingale of the activist group AIDS Action.

``It's politics rather than public science,'' added Winnie Stachelberg of
the Human Rights Campaign. ``Local communities have been scraping together
programs for the last several years, but it's clear federal funds are
needed.''

Needle exchange programs are one of the hottest topics in the AIDS crisis.
Half of all people who catch HIV are infected by dirty needles, sex with
injecting drug users or are children of infected addicts -- totaling 33
people every day, AIDS experts say.

Numerous scientific studies and public health groups have declared that
needle exchanges reduce that risk, and 88 needle exchanges operate around
the country with private, state or local funding.

But Congress had banned letting communities use federal tax dollars to pay
for needle exchanges until Shalala certified that scientific studies proved
they both reduced spread of the HIV virus and did not encourage drug use.

After a months-long review by her top scientific advisers, Shalala this
morning decided that needle exchanges are scientifically backed.

The scientific review found that the needle exchanges that work best are
part of a larger anti-HIV program that pushes addicts toward drug
treatment.

Indeed, one study of a needle exchange in the Bronx, N.Y., found that
providing clean needles to heroin addicts in addition to offering them
methadone treatment both lowered the risk of HIV infection and lowered
their overall drug use.

But whether to allow federal funding was a politically charged question
that administration officials debated heavily over the weekend. Ultimately,
Shalala decided that whether to fund a needle exchange was up to each
community.

The decision came after Republicans in Congress had threatened to ban
federal funding of needle exchanges altogether if Shalala did decide to
attempt it. And President Clinton's own drug policy chief, Barry McCaffery,
has vigorously fought that attempt, saying it would send the wrong message
to children.

``Such a program would in reality use tax dollars and the authority of the
federal government to push drug paraphernalia into already drug-ravaged
inner cities. This is reckless and irresponsible,'' Sen. Chuck Grassley,
R-Iowa, said in a weekend statement.

Public health experts directly dispute that: ``Does needle exchange promote
drug use? A preponderance of evidence shows either no change or decreased
drug use,'' an NIH consensus conference concluded 14 months ago, saying the
ban on funding for these programs will lead to ``many thousands of
unnecessary deaths.''

Shalala last year agreed that science proved that needle exchanges were
effective in fighting HIV, but said at that time that she needed to review
further data on how they affect drug use.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

No Federal Funds For Needle Exchange Efforts (Cable News Network Version)

Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 17:17:03 EDT
Originator: drctalk@drcnet.org
Sender: drctalk@drcnet.org
From: ltneidow@voyager.net (Lee T. Neidow)
To: Multiple recipients of list 
Subject: Federal Funding For Needle Exchange

No Federal Funds For Needle Exchange Efforts

By Eileen O'Connor/CNN

WASHINGTON (April 20) - The Clinton Administration will back scientific
evidence that says needle exchange programs reduce the spread of AIDS in
intravenous drug users, while not increasing the use of drugs.

The administration, however, will not authorize the use of federal funds for
such needle exchange programs.

Sources say that after an "exhaustive review," Health and Human Services
Secretary Donna Shalala has accepted a government-sponsored study showing
such programs do reduce AIDS.

A battle has raged within the administration for the last week, mainly
between Barry McCaffrey, the director of Drug Control Policy, and Shalala
McCaffrey has firmly opposed funding needle exchange programs.

Administration sources say the decision was ultimately based on pragmatic
politics.

The Clinton Administration decided to back the science, to help
some local communities in their own decisions on whether to fund needle
exchange programs. But officials decided not to authorize the use of
federal funding, given the lack of consensus in Congress, and even a
possible backlash which could result in denying funding for other programs.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

US Backs Needle Exchange, But Opposes Funds ('Reuters' Version)

Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 13:08:41 -0700 (PDT)
From: turmoil 
To: hemp-talk@hemp.net
Subject: HT: U.S. Backs Needle Exchange, but Opposes Funds (fwd)
Sender: owner-hemp-talk@hemp.net

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Clinton administration Monday
announced it had accepted scientific arguments in favor of
needle exchange programs for drug addicts but would not release
federal funds to pay for them.

Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala said: ``A
meticulous scientific review has now proven that needle exchange
programs can reduce the transmission of HIV and save lives
without losing ground in the battle against illegal drugs.''

The decision, taken after intensive discussions within the
administration, was expected to disappoint those who believe
such programs can help reduce the spread of AIDS.

Government figures show that to date nearly 40 per cent of
the 652,000 AIDS cases reported in the United States have a link
with taking illegal drugs by injection.

Administration sources said White House drug czar Barry
McCaffrey played a major role in the administration's decision
not to authorize federal funds for the programs, which are
supported by all major medical associations including the
American Medical Association (AMA). Many Republicans also say
the programs would subsidize drug use.

Asked why the government would not fund them, Shalala said
it was important to ensure such programs be community-based.
''We have come to the conclusion that we should not release
federal funds at this point... The administration has concluded
that the science says these programs work but only if they are
carefully designed in a community context,'' she added.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Smoke And Mirrors In The Tobacco Crusade (Syndicated Columnist
Debra J. Saunders In 'The Orange County Register' Says The National Policy
And Youth Smoking Reduction Act Being Crafted In Congress Allows Politicians
To Drastically Increase Taxes With No Repercussions - Only 2 Percent
Of All Cigarettes Are Consumed By Teens, But Most Adult Smokers
Are Lower Or Middle Class - The Nonpartisan Tax Foundation
Estimates That 59 Percent Of The Tax Boost Would Be Paid By People
Earning Less Than $35,000 A Year, 34 Percent By People
Who Earn Under $15,000 - The Average Single Smoker Will Pay $599
More Annually In Taxes By 2003 If The McCain Bill Becomes Law)

Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 19:37:50 -0800
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
From: Olafur Brentmar 
Subject: MN: US: Column: Smoke and Mirrors in the Tobacco Crusade
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Newshawk: John W.Black
Pubdate: Mon, 20 Apr 1998
Source: Orange County Register (CA)
Contact: letters@link.freedom.com
Website: http://www.ocregister.com/
Author:Debra J.Saunders-Ms.Saunders is a syndicated columnist.

SMOKE AND MIRRORS IN THE TOBACCO CRUSADE

If you want to support the National Policy and Youth Smoking Reduction Act
being crafted in Washington these days, try not to think too hard.

Don't ask yourself whether the legislation really will "reduce teen smoking
in America," as President Clinton said in a speech last week.

Don't look at the rise in teen smoking, despite campaigns against the
lethal habit. Teen smoking has increased every year since Clinton became
president and declared war on the nasty habit among teens. I don't blame
Clinton for the rise, but considering the lip service he has given to this
cause - with the result that the number of high school seniors who smoke
rose from 17.2 percent in 1992 to 22.2 percent in 1996 - I hardly expect
him to deliver the cure.

Don't ask yourself who really pays the tax.

Tobacco-bill boosters say that tobacco companies will have to pay $516
billion in higher taxes - or more if Washington decides to outdo a measure
pushed through by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). Believe them. Forget that
it's really smokers who will pay the tab.

Forget that most smokers are poor or lower-middle class. (The nonpartisan
Tax Foundation estimates that 59 percent of the tax boost would be paid by
people earning less than $35,000 a year, 34 percent by people who earn
under $15,000. The average single smoker will pay $599 more annually in
taxes by 2003 if the McCain bill becomes law. But that is an unpleasant
fact, and what are unpleasant facts compared to good intentions?)

Don't ask whether the tobacco tax is a regressive tax that burdens (mostly
poor) people already punished enough by tobacco companies. Don't ask if
this tax increase is another case of kicking the victim.

Don't ask why Washington would raise cigarette taxes to reduce teen
consumption when - according to the Tax Foundation - teens are responsible
for only 2 percent of U.S. cigarette consumption.

Don't wonder which industry - alcohol, cars" - politicians will target
after they've squeezed smokers dry. Most pols want to spend more tax
dollars but understand they can't raise taxes in general. They need
vilified industries if they want to appease their big spending habits.
Today cigarettes, tomorrow alcohol and fast-food. Or maybe gasoline because
it causes teen car accidents.

Whatever it is, expect the call for greater taxes to be an issue not of
spending but of making America safer for The Children.

Don't ask if the higher tax - $1.10 per pack - would lead to bootlegging.
The answer is yes.

Don't wonder why President Clinton won't enumerate exactly how much more
the Republican Congress should add to the tobacco tax bite. He doesn't
care. He only wants to make Republicans look soft on tobacco.

Don't question whether an increased tax burden actually will reduce
consumption or if it will simply pinch smokers. Don't think of countries
like France, where the average tax per pack is $2.61 - and consumption is
above 40 percent. If bill boosters say a tax hike will decrease smoking,
you shouldn't question them.

The important thing is that Washington, D.C., pols can look good by
supporting as big a tax - on the evil tobacco companies - as possible. It
doesn't matter if the tax reduces teen smoking, as advertised. The
important thing is that the measure purports to help kids. Therefore, it
would be wrong to question any aspect of it.

Wake up America! Before we reach the point of no return, wake up!

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Summit Ends With Promises - Hemisphere Leaders Focus On Trade
('Washington Post' Says The Second Summit Of The Americas Ended Monday
In Santiago, Chile, With US President Clinton And 33 Other Western Hemisphere
Leaders Signing A Declaration That Promised Everything From A Rethinking
Of The War On Some Drugs To Negotiations That Could Create The World's
Largest Free Trade Zone)

Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 22:17:33 -0400
To: DrugSense News Service 
From: Richard Lake 
Subject: MN: Chile: WP: Summit Ends With Promises Hemisphere Leaders Focus
on Trade
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Newshawk: rlake@mapinc.org
Source: Washington Post
Authors: Anthony Faiola and Thomas W. Lippman, Washington Post Foreign Service
Page: A01 - Front Page
Contact: http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/edit/letters/letterform.htm
Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Pubdate: Monday, 20 April 1998

SUMMIT ENDS WITH PROMISES HEMISPHERE LEADERS FOCUS ON TRADE

SANTIAGO, Chile, April 19-The second Summit of the Americas ended here
today with President Clinton and 33 other Western Hemisphere leaders
signing a declaration that promised everything from a rethinking of the
drug war to negotiations that could create the world's largest free-trade
zone.

The leaders treaded lightly on the challenges to democracy still looming in
Latin American trouble spots from Paraguay to Peru, concentrating on "a
second generation" of issues, such as education and economics. The topics
reflected what participants labeled an overall deepening of Latin America's
transition from dictatorships to democracies and from state-owned behemoths
to free-market systems.

Clinton underscored his belief that a greater pool of people must benefit
from those changes if they are to hold. The Americas have undergone a
"profound revolution in the last few years, a revolution of peace and
freedom and prosperity," the president said. "Here in Santiago, we embrace
our responsibility to make these historic forces lift the lives of all our
people. . . . It is a future worthy of the new Americas in a new millennium."

In Latin America, which long has been the inferior partner in a generally
paternalistic relationship with the United States, the summit is widely
viewed as a key turning point in equalizing that relationship. Latin
officials, for instance, believe a great leap forward was made in the
creation here of a Multilateral Counter Drug Alliance that would use the
Organization of American States as a tool to evaluate each nation's record
of combating drug trafficking -- a process seen here as a potential
alternative to the highly disparaged U.S. procedure of "certifying" the
anti-drug cooperation of individual nations.

"We saw the [U.S.-Latin America] relationship change during this summit,"
Chilean Foreign Minister Jose Miguel Insulza said in an interview. "If
Richard Nixon hadn't used the term 'mature partnership' to describe his
ignoring of Latin America in the 1970s, that is exactly the term we would
be using to describe the relationship today. We are talking more equally,
and we are no longer having one-way conversations. The U.S. is listening to
us, too."

But U.S. officials were quick to point out that some changes are not likely
to be immediately forthcoming. In discussing the U.S. drug certification
process, national security adviser Samuel R. "Sandy" Berger declared: "We
would have to obviously have a long discussion with Congress before there
were any changes in U.S. law. I think that's not contemplated at this
point." In general, however, he echoed Insulza's assessment of the
hemispheric relationship.

"One of the things that is very striking about this meeting," Berger said,
"is that . . . there is no sense of America trying to dominate [the other]
countries. . . . There is a genuine spirit of partnership."

That new relationship manifested itself in a number of ways, not all
pleasing to the Americans. One clear indication of hemispheric willingness
to question U.S. policy came in the form of private calls for reinstatement
of Cuba to the OAS and in public declarations that Cuban President Fidel
Castro should be included in future hemispheric summits.

On the heels of Pope John Paul II's visit to Cuba in January, it was
revealed this weekend that Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, who will
host the next summit, possibly in 2000, has accepted an invitation to visit
Havana next week, becoming the first Canadian leader to do so in 21 years.
Meanwhile, other leaders here spoke of ending Cuba's isolation.

"The exclusion of Cuba is unfair because that country isn't a threat to
anyone," Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori told reporters. "The Cuban
president should have been allowed to come here and express his point of
view and to listen to criticism of him."

But the Cuba issue was one of the few divisive notes in what was generally
a diplomatic love fest. Indeed, the language of the final communique is so
lofty that it almost echoes Marxist utopian rhetoric from bygone
generations -- the difference being that trade and capital markets, rather
than economic collectivism, are offered as the keys to a happier future for
the region. As expected, the summit participants agreed to a strict
schedule of negotiations for a proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas,
despite the fact that Clinton arrived in the Chilean capital without "fast
track" authority -- the power to sign trade accords that Congress could
then only vote up or down, without amendment. The lack of fast track, which
Clinton failed to win from Congress last November, ironically was viewed
here as a deal maker, rather than a deal breaker. Countries such as Brazil
-- which had resisted the initial U.S. format for trade talks -- found the
United States now willing to compromise on the structure of negotiations to
keep the prospect of a vast free-trade zone alive.

Although it will still be tough to persuade many opponents at home, U.S.
Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky said that the proposed free trade
area "is embraced by all of the countries without exception as integration
to a broader agenda of strong democracies, the alleviation of poverty and
the empowerment of people and sustainable development." In the summit
communique, the nations agreed to sign an accord by 2005, with the first
round of negotiations to begin as early as June.

The 34-page "plan of action" goes on to address everything from new
techniques to combat the drug trade to standards for transporting nuclear
waste through the Panama Canal. Other new drug proposals include
hemispheric efforts to crack down on money laundering, combat drug
addiction and support "alternative development" programs to encourage
farmers who grow drug-producing plants to cultivate legal crops.

The summit plan also focused on illiteracy and pledged to "ensure, by the
year 2010, universal access to and completion of quality primary education
for 100 percent of children and access for at least 75 percent of young
people to quality secondary education." The Inter-American Development Bank
and the World Bank have already committed $6 billion in concessionary loans
for education over the next three years.

The plan calls further for a strengthening of Latin American judicial
systems -- still among the region's weakest institutions -- through
creation of a new justice center that would train judges and prosecutors on
applications of law. The document also outlines a tighter regulation of the
region's banking system, greater cooperation in rooting out money
laundering and greater participation in U.N. peacekeeping missions by Latin
American armed forces.

Indeed, at the same time the United States engages in a new partnership
approach toward Latin America, the nations in the hemisphere appear more
willing to work with Washington to address their myriad social and economic
problems. There may be a lingering "us vs. them" attitude, especially in
South America, but it was not much on display here.

"You now have recognition by all these governments of the need to rebuild
civil society at the local level," one senior U.S. official said. At the
first summit of the Americas, in Miami in 1994, he said, "we couldn't get
that recognized. Some of them wouldn't even talk about it."

(c) Copyright 1998 The Washington Post Company

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Chretien Vows Deal To Curb Drugs ('Ottawa Sun' Quotes Canadian Prime Minister
Jean Chretien Saying Yesterday In Santiago, Chile,
That A Proposed New Free Trade Deal Covering North, South And Central America
Will 'Curb The Scourge Of Illegal Drugs')

Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 21:53:06 -0800
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
From: Olafur Brentmar 
Subject: MN: Canada: Chretien Vows To Curb Drugs
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Newshawk: creator@mapinc.org
Source: Ottawa Sun (Canada)
Contact: oped@sunpub.com
Website: http://www.canoe.ca/OttawaSun/
Pubdate: Mon, 20 Apr 1998
Author: Anne Dawson, Parliamentary Bureau
Newshawk's Comment: Published in all the Sun papers in Canada

CHRETIEN VOWS DEAL TO CURB DRUGS

SANTIAGO, Chile -- Prime Minister Jean Chretien yesterday vowed a new
free-trade deal covering North, South and Central America will "curb the
scourge of illegal drugs."

In wrapping up the weekend Summit of the Americas, which officially
launched negotiations to create a $10-trillion free-trade zone for 800
million people from Canada to Argentina, Chretien said Canada was at the
forefront of initiating a concrete plan to stop the havoc wreaked by
illegal drug use in the Western Hemisphere.

"We want to work in very close collaboration to make sure that the
production and the consumption of drugs will go down in all parts of the
Americas because it is a disease that is hurting a lot of people," Chretien
said during the final session of Summit talks.

AGREEMENT

"Everybody has agreed to work very closely to try to improve the situation."

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy will lead a group of foreign
ministers from the 34 countries which will comprise the free-trade zone to
study the problem and come up with "long-term solutions."

He said he wants to zero in on all angles of the problem -- the countries
that produce drugs, those which transport them and the ones that consume
drugs.

"This kind of impact goes far beyond being simply a question of supply and
demand," said Axworthy.

The leaders also agreed to make education a top priority as nearly half of
the kids in Latin American countries, excluding those in the Caribbean, are
currently not attending any school. About 50% of the population in the
southern hemisphere is under the age of 16.

Chilean President Eduardo Frei told the Summit that the leaders agreed that
by the year 2010 they will have plans in place to ensure all children in
the Americas will begin and stay in elementary school and at least 75% of
youth will complete a secondary education.

Copyright (c) 1998, Canoe Limited Partnership.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Bloc MP Claims She Was Detained By US Customs Officials ('Ottawa Hill Times'
Says Bloc Quebecois Member Of Canadian Parliament Monique Guay
Wants To Ensure That Federal MPs Can Travel Freely To The United States)

From: creator@islandnet.com (Matt Elrod)
To: mattalk@listserv.islandnet.com
Subject: Bloc MP claims she was detained by U.S. customs officials
Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 11:46:05 -0700
Lines: 108
Newshawk: creator@mapinc.org
Source: Ottawa Hill Times
Contact: hilltimes@achilles.net
Pubdate: April 20, 1998

Bloc MP claims she was detained by U.S. customs officials

Monique Guay wants to ensure that federal MPs can travel freely to U.S.

By Mike Scandiffio
The Hill Times

A Bloc Quebecois MP who says she was detained by U.S. customs
officials while travelling with the minister for International
Cooperation last month wants the government to take steps to ensure
that federal MPs can travel freely to our country's largest ally.

Bloc Quebecois international development critic Monique Guay
(Laurentides, Que.) was returning from a trip to Africa last month,
stopping in New York City's John F. Kennedy Airport. She was
travelling with Minister Diane Marleau (Sudbury, Ont.) and with NDP MP
Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, Ont.), the labor and training critic for
his party. The three were in Africa for a meeting of the Global
Coalition for Africa.

Ms. Guay said she was stopped by a U.S. customs agent who told her his
computer said she was an American citizen and wanted to see her
American passport.

The Bloc MP said she told the agent she was not a U.S. citizen,
presented the agent with her Canadian passport which identifies her as
an MP, but said she was still detained for 25 minutes. Ms. Guay said
he was "very impolite."

Said Ms. Guay: "I explained to him that I was an MP and that I had to
make my plane to Ottawa or there would be a problem. "

Ms. Guay said neither the minister, nor Mr. Martin had trouble getting
through customs.

"They were waiting and were wondering what had happened," said Ms.
Guay, adding that the minister told her that this has happened with
other government people.

Ms. Guay is now worried that these inconveniences could get worse if
the U.S. starts demanding visas from Canadians travellers in two
years. A visa is a legal document that asks for permission to apply to
enter into the country.

"I have talked to U.S. senators and they said they plan to want visas
in two years," she told The Hill Times.

Ms. Guay said she wants the House Speaker and the foreign affairs
minister to talk to the Americans about the issue. She plans to bring
it up with the U.S. senators and representatives when the Canada-U.S.
Parliamentary Association meets in May.

MPs carry a special passport when they are traveling and also have a
card which identifies them as MPs.

Bloc Quebecois MP Daniel Turp (Beauharnois-Salaberry, Que.) raised Ms.
Guay's case in the House last month, but Foreign Affairs Minister
Lloyd Aworthy (Winnipeg South Centre, Man.) said after discussing it
with the U.S. that the U.S. said it was not a U.S. border inspector
who went through the search and seizure procedure.

Mr. Axworthy said he was negotiating with the U.S. to establish a new
model for border crossings "that will be a model for the world."

Last fall, MPs, especially those whose ridings border the United
States, were shocked to find out about a U.S. bill supported by
southern senators would force people crossing the border to show
documentation.

Liberal MP Roger Gallaway (Sarnia-Lambton, Ont.) represents a riding
with one of the busiest border crossings in Canada. He said if the
bill gets passed, the U.S. bill would wreak havoc with commercial
traffic, causing 14-hour delays. Michigan Republican Senator Spencer
Abraham is fighting to have Canada removed from the bill.

Mr. Gallaway said the bill was intended to deal with the U.S.-Mexico
border but added that he is getting more complaints

Meanwhile, Bernard Shinkman, the U.S. Embassy spokesman told The Hill
Times that there are no plans to require that Canadians present visas
when they cross the border.

Mr. Shinkman declined to comment on Ms. Guay's incident.

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It's High Time For A National Debate (Letter To Editor Of 'Edmonton Sun'
Notes A Recent Angus Reid Poll Found That 51 Percent Of Canadians
Want The Full Legalization Of Marijuana)

From: creator@islandnet.com (Matt Elrod)
To: mattalk@listserv.islandnet.com
Subject: Canada: PUB LTE: It's "high" time for a national debate.
Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 07:41:08 -0700
Lines: 32
Newshawk: creator@mapinc.org
Source: Edmonton Sun
Contact: sun.letters@ccinet.ab.ca
Pubdate: April 20, 1998
Comment: Parenthetical remarks by the Sun editor : headline by hawk

LETTER OF THE DAY

WITH THE recent hubbub surrounding Justice Minister Anne McLellan's
marijuana fears, perhaps it's a sign that we need another Royal
Commission to look at the issue. In 1972, the LeDain Commission
recommended the decriminalization of marijuana after four years of
research. Over 25 years later, pot is hot once again and the public
wants a debate.

A recent Angus Reid poll found that 51% of Canadians want the full
legalization of marijuana. Similarly, a 1994 Health Canada survey
revealed 69.1% support for either legalization or decriminalization.
And, of course, the Rebagliati incident triggered a stream of editorials
and articles across the country. Over 600,000 Canadians have been
burdened with criminal records for cannabis possession since the 1960s.

This is a tremendous injustice, something that the minister of justice
and the rest of Parliament needs to address. It's "high" time for a
national debate.

Chris Clay

Sechlet, B.C.

(Legalization is unlikely, but sympathy for the issue is unquestionably
growing.)

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Police Win War In Drug Capital ('The Daily Telegraph' In Australia
Says That After Almost A Year Of Zero Tolerance Enforcement
Resulting In More Than 2,500 Charges, Police Claim To Have Turned Around
The Face Of Australia's Heroin Capital, Cabramatta)

Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 11:17:55 -0800
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
From: Olafur Brentmar 
Subject: MN: Australia: Police Win War In Drug Capital
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Newshawk: Ken Russell
Pubdate: Mon, 20 Apr 1998
Source: The Daily Telegraph (Australia)
Contact: dtmletr@matp.newsltd.com
Author: Will Temple

POLICE WIN WAR IN DRUG CAPITAL

AFTER almost a year of "zero tolerance" resulting in more than 2500
charges, police have turned around the face of Australia's heroin capital
Cabramatta, the area's regional commander said yesterday.

Speaking on the eve of the fifth phase of the high-profile drug crackdown
Operation Puccini, Greater Hume regional commander Chris Evans said crime
had been driven underground with no significant displacement to other areas.

"A year ago it was horrific - there were drug deals taking place in broad
daylight and intravenous drug use in front of you," Cmdr Evans said. "This
has not been completely eliminated but it has been vastly reduced."

Thirty-eight new officers from other patrols in the Greater Hume area start
their induction at Cabramatta today to prepare for the three-month
operation.

They will be reminded of their stop-and-search powers and familiarised with
the area and any trouble spots.

Cmdr Evans said drug deals and use had become more covert.

But he said Puccini had achieved its goal of improving the quality of life
for Cabramatta's law-abiding residents.

Since the operation began last July police have worked 6500 shifts to make
almost 1500 arrests.

They have seized almost 900 drug caches - mostly in single balloons - and
have also arrested 29 people for carrying knives and issued more than 4000
railway infringement notices.

Cmdr Evans said that while there had been an increase in drug taking and
crime in areas further down the rail line at Campbelltown, police
operations had effectively mopped it up.

He said figures for March indicated crime levels had fallen across his
region and the continuing strategy of Puccini would help maintain this
trend.

Measures which have helped clean up the problem included banning offenders
from the Cabramatta CBD as part of their bail conditions.

Police have used the practice at their stations and he welcomed the support
of magistrates for the initiative.

The controversial closed-circuit television cameras set up in the area have
also been of great assistance to police in providing court evidence.

Fairfield deputy mayor Frank Oliveri said business and residential
confidence had improved as a result of the operation.

"The situation is improving and the residents and shopkeepers are happy
with the progress," Cmdr Oliveri said.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Cleaning Up The Fun Parlors (Staff Editorial In 'The Age'
Describes An Attempt To Purge A Seamy Area In Melbourne,
Australia, Of Illegal Drug Sellers And Users)

Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 20:50:19 -0800
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
From: Olafur Brentmar 
Subject: MN: Australia: Editorial: Cleaning Up The Fun Parlors
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Newshawk: Ken Russell
Pubdate: Mon, 20 Apr 1998
Source: The Age
Contact: letters@theage.fairfax.com.au
Website: http://www.theage.com.au/

CLEANING UP THE FUN PARLORS

EVERY major city has its seamy side and Melbourne is no exception.

One of its trouble spots is in and around Russell Street, a scruffy
precinct of gaudy amusement parlors, some tawdry shops, cheap cafes and
often dirty alleyways.

The amusement parlors act as a magnet for many young people, who become a
target for hustlers with drugs to sell. It is a depressing scene where
passers-by sometimes find themselves crunching discarded syringes underfoot
or glimpsing drug deals being done - and not only during the hours of
darkness.

Some of the parlors post security guards outside, which tends to add to a
mild air of menace.

And a popular fast-food outlet now restricts access to its toilets to deter
drug users from using them as a shooting gallery.

The Lord Mayor, Cr Ivan Deveson, is eager to clean up this blot on the
city's fabric, and rightly so. The Melbourne City Council and police have
reached an agreement with the operators of 12 city amusement parlors to
create a safer, cleaner environment. The problem is neither the existence
of the parlors nor the presence of young people seeking amusement, but
rather the street drug culture that has evolved in the area. The parlor
managers have agreed to exercise stricter controls and cooperate with
police, the police are expected to give the precinct closer attention, and
the council, it is to be hoped, will keep the area cleaner.

The council's initiative is based on its Drug Action Plan for Melbourne and
encouraged by the success of the move to improve security in the sometimes
rowdy nightclub precinct of King Street. Such action is even more important
in Russell Street because the amusement parlors attract many under-age
children and the street drug-dealing seems more concentrated. We hope the
council succeeds in making this area safer, cleaner and better policed, but
we also recognise that drug dealing is more likely to be dispersed than
diminished. Reducing the drug menace is a challenge that requires more
thought, effort and resources than the city council can apply.

But it is doing what it can within its powers, and that is to be applauded.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Ex-Liberal On Drug Charges ('The Australian' Says Michael Brazier
Of Mount Lawley, Perth, Who Was Involved In The Liberal Party
In The Mid-1980s, Was Charged Friday With Depravation Of Liberty,
Threats With Intent To Influence, Assault Occasioning Bodily Harm
And Possession Of Ecstasy, Cocaine And Amphetamines
With Intent To Sell Or Supply)

Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 00:48:54 -0800
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
From: Olafur Brentmar 
Subject: MN: Australia: Ex-Liberal On Drug Charges
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Newshawk: Ken Russell
Pubdate: Mon, 20 Apr 1998
Source: The Australian
Contact: ausletr@newscorp.com.au
Website: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/
Author: Monica Videnieks

EX-LIBERAL ON DRUG CHARGES

A FORMER West Australian Liberal Party official has been charged with drug
offences.

Police charged Michael Brazier, 46, of Mount Lawley, Perth, with
depravation of liberty, threats with intent to influence, assault
occasioning bodily harm and possession of ecstasy, cocaine and amphetamines
with intent to sell or supply on Friday.

Brazier was involved in the Liberal Party in the mid-1980s and is a former
president of the party's division in the Perth seat of Swan.

Police said Friday's charging of Brazier and an Albany accomplice came
after a two-year investigation by the Organised Crime Squad.

Brazier was released on $50,000 bail with a similar surety and will face
the Perth Central Law Courts later this week.

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Local Elections (Britain's Campaign To Legalise Cannabis
International Association Announces Endorsement Of Danny Tungate,
A Local Candidate In Norwich, England)

To: webbooks@paston.co.uk
From: webbooks@paston.co.uk (CLCIA)
Subject: Local Elections
Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 16:45:13 +0100

Hi

CLCIA are pleased to announce our support for

Danny Tungate
Independent Legalise Cannabis candidate
Catton Grove ward, Norwich

in the forthcoming local elections.

Danny recognises that the legalisation of cannabis would be a huge step to
solving the current 'drugs' problem as well as opening the doorway for the
many uses of cannabis, other than as a substance of recreation and medicine,
which would help solve many environmental problems due to pollutants from
synthetic alternatives.

Danny sees the cannabis issue as one which is of great importance to the
local, national and international communities. As a single issue it has
relevance to at least law and order, civil liberties, health, education,
drugs, pollution and the environment, transport and employment.

Danny Tungate can be contacted on 01603 413753

Jack Girling
Tina Smith
Alun Buffry
for the members of
The Campaign to Legalise Cannabis International Association.

Don't miss out!

Derek's VIDEO of the IoS Cannabis March in London, is now available
from the CLCIA in VHS format at £10 inc. P & P.

CANNABIS QUIZ - WIN A TRIP TO AMSTERDAM

SEE: http://www.paston.co.uk/users/webbooks/canquiz.html
This is a fund-raising quiz. Entry is just 2 pounds.

***

CLCIA On-Line Bookshop:

http://www.paston.co.uk/users/webbooks/webhome.html

tested safe and secure purchase through Amazon.com

***

Campaign to Legalise Cannabis International Association (CLCIA)
54C Peacock Street, Norwich, Norfolk, NR3 1TB, England

Campaigners' Guide: http://www.paston.co.uk/users/webbooks/index.html

CLCIA: http://www.foobar.co.uk/users/ukcia/groups/clcia/clcia.html

e-mail : webbooks@paston.co.uk

Tel : +44 (0)1603 625780

"The use of cannabis ought to be a matter of choice, not of law."

***

The drugtext press list.
News on substance use related issues, drugs and drug policy
webmaster@drugtext.nl

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Tobacco Deaths - 400,000 A Year, Marijuana Deaths - 0
(British Columbian's Letter To Editor Of 'Irish Independent'
Cites US Drug Deaths In Order To Rebut Earlier Letter
From George Maybury, General Secretary Of Ireland's
Association Of Garda Sergeants And Inspectors)

From: creator@islandnet.com (Matt Elrod)
To: mattalk@listserv.islandnet.com
Subject: LTE: Tobacco deaths - 400,000 a year, marijuana deaths - 0 (fwd)
Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 17:31:07 -0700
Lines: 60
Date: Monday, 20 April 1998
Source: The Irish Independent
Contact: independent.letters@independent.ie
Monday, 20 April 1998

Letters

Sir - Regarding the statement made by George Maybury, general secretary of
the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors: "If you want to reform
an alcoholic you hardly increase his access to a full range of alcohol,"
please allow me to offer the following observations:

* The alcoholic already has "access to a full range of alcohol". No
increase is possible. To refer to it as a possibility is asinine.

* It is a matter of public record that efforts to "reform" alcoholics
were a dismal failure. Why does Mr Maybury appear to think that
efforts to "reform" those among us who are addicted to other drugs
will have any greater success?

* One does not seek to "reform" diabetics. Diabetes is recognised as
an illness, as is alcoholism and other psycho-active drugs.

* The medical profession had give up on alcoholics. Then, in 1934,
"one alcoholic helping another" to stay sober "one day at a time", led
to the formation of Alcoholics Anonymous, and the hope for resolution
of the alcoholic's potential lethal dilemma.

* The alcoholic who chooses to stay sober does so in spite of having
access to a "full range of alcohol".

* Mr Maybury appears to be suffering from the "Alsinger syndrome".
Harry Alsinger was the original US "Drug Czar" who. referring to it as
this "lethal weed", was the prime mover in having marijuana outlawed
by the US Congress in 1937, falsely categorised as a narcotic, and
having the users subjected to the same criminal sanctions as those
imposed on heroin and cocaine.

Some millions of deaths later most readers will know which are the
lethal drugs. Tobacco causes 400,000 deaths a year in America;
alcohol, 125,000; marijuana, zero. Perhaps Mr Maybury could supply
these figures for Ireland.

I won't take up more time dealing with the rest of his remarks except
to say that, unless he is unbelievably ignorant of the facts, they are
both dishonest and stupid.

By and large if one is seeking information, it makes as little sense
to ask George Maybury about drugs as to ask a chemist about the law.

Mr Maybury's primary function is to protect and enhance the interests
of the organisation that employs him. His remarks lead me to believe
that if he judged it feasible, he would prohibit masturbation,
demonising it as he does marijuana.

Pat Dolan, Vancouver B.C.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Tobacco Debate Drags On ('The European'
Says The European Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee
Voted 12 To Seven Last Week That The EU Institutions
Were Exceeding Their Mission In Imposing A Ban On Tobacco Advertising)

Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 10:03:34 -0700
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
From: jwjohnson@netmagic.net (Joel W. Johnson)
Subject: MN: UK: Tobacco Debate Drags On
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Newshawk: shug@shug.co.uk
Source: European, The
Contact: editor@the-european.com
Website: http://www.the-european.com/
Pubdate: Mon, 20 Apr 1998
Newshawk Note: 'Fag' is slang for cigarette

TOBACCO DEBATE DRAGS ON

Could an imminent European ban on tobacco advertising yet go up in smoke?
The environment committee of the European Parliament this week debates the
final form of the proposed directive, which would oblige countries to
introduce a general ban on tobacco advertising within three years, although
newspapers will be allowed to carry cigarette adverts for another year and
sponsorship of sporting and arts events will be given a further two years'
grace.

Tobacco industry lobbyists were given a fag-end of hope last week when the
European Parliament's legal affairs committee voted 12 to seven that the
EU institutions were exceeding their remit in imposing the ban, which is
based on an article of the EU's governing treaty, supposed to ensure the
smooth functioning of the single market.

Opponents say the ban's true purpose is the protection of health, which
should be left to national governments. The anti-smoking lobby argues that
the legal basis for the directive is sound and has been backed by the
experts of the European Commission, Palriament and the Council of
Ministers.

Even if, as expected, the full Parliament supports the ban unamended in
three week's time and it becomes law, it looks likely to be taken to the
European Court of Justice, either by the governments of Germany or Austria
or whomever else the tobacco industry can find to help.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

In A Turnaround, Burmese Junta Moves Against Opium
(According To 'The New York Times,' The Military Junta That Took Over Burma
In 1988 Says It Wants To Eradicate All Opium Within Five Years,
Though The Economy Has Become Dependent On It - Burrna Produced
An Estimated 2,600 Tons Of Opium Last Year, Enough To Make More Than 200 Tons
Of Heroin - At Least 60 Percent Of The World Total)

Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 19:34:01 -0800
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
From: Olafur Brentmar 
Subject: MN: Burma: In a Turnaround, Burmese Junta Moves Against Opium
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Newshawk: Peter Webster
Source: International Herald-Tribune
Contact: iht@iht.com
Website: http://www.iht.com/
Pubdate: Mon, 20 Apr 1998
Author: Christopher S. Wren, New York Times Service

IN A TURNAROUND, BURMESE JUNTA MOVES AGAINST OPIUM

LASHIO, Burma---In the remote valleys and rugged mountains here in
northeastern Burma, opium offers more than a narcotic high. For years,
it has provided a livelihood for hill tribes who inhabit the northern
expanse of the Golden Triangle, the lush, lawless area of Southeast
Asia that is the source of much of the world's heroin.

Opium finances daily needs, from rice and cooking oil to assault
rifles. The rifles are used to wage rebellion and to defend the mule
caravans transporting the sticky, pungent opium to be refined into
heroin for American and European drug habits.

Burrna produced an estimated 2,600 tons of opium last year, enough to
make more than 200 tons of heroin---at least 60 percent of the world
total. But the drug trade is changing along Burma's porous frontiers
with Thailand, China and Laos, and one of the most startling shifts
may be in the attitude of the military junta that seized power in this
country in 1988.

For years the junta tolerated opium trafficking as the price of its
cease-fires with insurgent ethnic groups. Now it says it wants to
eradicate all opium within five years. To show what it has
accomplished, it recently allowed three American reporters into an
opium-growing region usually closed to visitors.

Some diplomats in Rangoon, the capital, view the eradication claim
skeptically because land devoted to opium cultivation has doubled
under the junta's rule, and the country's mismanaged economy has grown
to rely on laundered drug profits.

The government says it has eradicated 41,000 acres (16,500 hectares)
of poppies a 10th of the land under opium cultivation in Burrna. "The
crop eradication areas are only small parts of the areas they do
control, " a Western diplomat said. "They are window dressing."

Colonel Gyaw Thien, the chief of Burrna's counternarcotics program,
disagreed. "It's quite unfair," he said. "We are making much more
effective interdictions and seizures than we have in the past."

Last year, police and army units reported seizing 1.5 tons of heroin,
compared with about half a ton in 1996, though their record seizures
amount to less than I percent of Burma's output. "This drug problem is
not only the problem of the United States, " Colonel Gyaw Thien said.
"It's our problem, too. We know that we cannot fight this alone."

The junta's new policy puts Washington in a quandary because the
United States cut off counter-narcotics aid to Burma after the coup in
1988. Restoring such aid could undercut other American economic
sanctions and lend legitimacy to a dictatorship that stands accused of
widespread abuse of human rights.

Hla Min, deputy director of the Office of Strategic Studies, a
planning branch of military intelligence, said: "We think we can get
rid of 60 percent of the heroin going into the U.S. in 12 months' time
if the U.S. cooperates with us."

A Western diplomat who watched the shift concluded: " What this
government wants to do is perpetuate itself in power. They know it's
got a bad image. They looked at drugs and found this is the one asset
they have. They'd like to use whatever they've done to improve their
image and try to get sanctions lifted. "

The State Department acknowledges in its latest drug control report
that it has no evidence that Burma' s government is trafficking in
drugs on an institutional level.

"However," the report said, "there are persistent and reliable reports
that officials, particularly army personnel posted in outlying areas,
are involved in the drug business."

The government denies this, citing the arrest of 11 army officers last
April for colluding with a heroin refining operation in northem Shan
state. The senior of ficer, a lieutenant colonel, was sent to prison
for 25 years. It also deported Li Yunchun, a fugitive trafficker
indicted in New York, to Thailand, which handed him over to the United
States.

But new traffickers, notably the Wa, a fierce hill people whose
ancestors hunted heads, have wrested control of the lucrative heroin
business from remnants of renegade Chinese Nationalist soldiers and
rebel militias. Nearly a million Wa straddle the border between China
and Burma.

Their insurgent army has diversified from heroin into
methamphetamines, powerful synthetic stimulants that have saturated
Thailand and since tumed up in Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia, Burmese and
Westem officials said. A Burmese counter-narcotics official said the
Wa now make more money from methamphetamines than from heroin and
refine both drugs themselves using chemicals smuggled in primarily
from China.

Because of aggressive interdiction by the Thai police, the old
trafficking routes through the Golden Triangle are shifting from
Thailand and into China, or less often Laos and even northeastern
India. Some heroin still moves by truck down from the Shan highlands
market town of Lashio, through lowland Mandalay to the port of Rangoon.

Eradicating opium could help the military government's strategy of
subduing ethnic insurgents who traffic in opium to finance their wars
of independence. Government troops cannot enter most Wa-controlled
territory without a battle.

With an army estimated at 15,000 to 20,000 men, the Wa have grown so
strong, acquiring surface-to-air missiles and modern communications
equipment, that government troops say they are outgunned.

"The Burmese would like nothing better than to do away with the drug
trade," another diplomat in Rangoon said, "because it would take guns
out of the hands of these armies."

The government's creation of a handful of opium-free zones has upset
local farmers. "What we're talking about is really changing their life
style," said Jorgen Kristensen, an official with the United Nations
Drug Control Program which has introduced alternative development
projects. "Poppy cultivation is ingrained in their culture."

At Narn Tit, a Wa town about a halfhour's walk from the Chinese
border, Zi Zi Fa said that his grandfather and father grew opium
poppies. He earns about $650 for his own annual crop of 12% pounds.

Since the government told him to grow soybeans instead, he said, he
earns a 10th of what opium paid, not enough to feed 10 family members.
"The family is barely surviving,'' he said.

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[End]