-------------------------------------------------------------------
Student Survey Names Reed Top US School In Academics
(Confounding Prohibitionists' Oft-Stated Assertion That Marijuana Use Impairs
Learning Ability, 'The Oregonian' Notes Reed College In Portland Was Named
The Country's Top Academic School For Undergraduates This Year
By The Princeton Review - The Private, Liberal Arts School Also Placed Third
In The Survey's 'Reefer Madness' Category For Marijuana Use)
The Oregonian
letters to editor:
letters@news.oregonian.com
1320 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97201
Web: http://www.oregonlive.com/
Student survey names Reed top U.S. school in academics
* The Princeton Review also lists the school among those with the least
religious students and most "reefer madness"
Tuesday, August 25 1998
By Romel Hernandez
of The Oregonian staff
No thanks to divine intervention, Reed College was named the country's top
academic school for undergraduates this year by The Princeton Review.
The private liberal arts college in Southeast Portland got top marks for
academics and professor quality -- and for least religious students -- in a
national survey of 56,000 students conducted by the company.
Reed, known as an intellectually intense school that produces many future
Ph.Ds, also placed third in the survey's "reefer madness" category for
marijuana use -- a testament, perhaps, to its famously laissez-faire lifestyle.
The Princeton Review publishes various college guides and runs test
preparation programs but is not affiliated with Princeton University.
Students rate only their own schools; Reed's ranking means its respondents
were nearly unanimous in their self-analysis, at least in those areas. The
results appear in the company's new "The Best Colleges" book.
Such popular college rankings often play an influential role in forming high
school students' opinions about schools and where they should apply.
But Reed officials are ambivalent, at best, about turning up at the top of
the latest such hits list. The school isn't trumpeting how well it performed
in the survey.
The college has received national notice for opposing such surveys,
especially the U.S. News & World Report's annual college rankings. That
list, released last week, uses a complicated equation of admissions
selectivity, graduation rate and other factors to rate schools.
"We're still committed to the principle that rankings aren't important,"
Reed Vice President Larry Large said. "We hope that when people look at
these sorts of things that they look beyond the rankings, even though we're
in first place on some key issues. It might pique interest in our school."
Reed also ranked in the top 10 in the areas of least diverse campus,
politically left-leaning students and number of student study hours.
Large said Reed's ranking for marijuana use reflects increasing use of the
drug among young people nationwide, not any problem at Reed.
"That's nothing anyone here celebrates," he said.
Reed is also pushing to recruit more minority students, Large said. The
school's student body is 15 percent minority. Asian Americans make up 8
percent. African Americans and Native Americans represent about 1 percent each.
Lewis & Clark College in Portland joined Reed in the top 10 in the least
religious and marijuana categories. The University of Oregon ranked third
for bad dorms and No. 14 overall among party schools. Willamette University
made The Princeton Review list of top schools but didn't place in the top 20
in any category.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reed College Tops In Survey ('The Associated Press' Version
Broadcast By KOIN, Portland's CBS Affiliate)
KOIN Channel 6000
Portland, Oregon
http://www.koin.com/
letters to editor:
c6knews@koin.com
Reed College Tops In Survey
* Liberal Arts School Gains Good Grades For Academics
PORTLAND, Posted 1:29 p.m. August 25, 1998 -- A survey by The Princeton
Review (http://www.review.com/index.cfm) names Portland's Reed College as
the country's top academic school for undergraduates.
The annual survey, The Guide to the Best 311 Colleges
(http://www.review.com/college-rankings/), polled 56,000 students, ranking
colleges on everything from academics to parties.
The survey gave Reed, a private liberal arts college, good grades for
academics and professor quality.
Reed also placed third in the survey's category for marijuana use.
Lewis and Clark College in Portland joined Reed in the top ten for marijuana
use on campus. Lewis and Clark ranked ninth.
The University of Oregon ranked third for bad dorms and number 14 overall
among party schools.
College Prep:
Learn more about colleges and universities in Channel 6000's Education
section (http://www.koin.com./education/index.html). Check out the
comprehensive Back-To-School section too!
(http://channel6000.com/education/backtoschool/)
Copyright 1998 by The Associated Press
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ballot Title For General Election, November 7, 2000 (Text Of The Ballot Title
Approved By The Oregon Secretary Of State For An Initiative Petition
To Amend The Constitution Sponsored By Oregonians For Personal Privacy
That Would Allow The Private Manufacture, Possession And Consumption
Of Cannabis)
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 17:52:55 -0700
From: Oregonians for Personal Privacy (opp@efn.org)
Subject: CanPat - Re: To William Conde
Sender: owner-cannabis-patriots-l@teleport.com
Reply-To: cannabis-patriots-l@teleport.com
END PROHIBITION NOW
RELEGALIZE
"THE MANUFACTURE, POSSESSION, AND CONSUMPTION, IN PRIVATE,
OF THE PLANT CANNABIS AND ALL OF ITS FAMILIES AND BYPRODUCTS,
SHALL BE LEGAL FOR ALL PERSONS 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER."
***
BALLOT TITLE for GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 7, 2000
***
AMENDS CONSTITUTION: ALLOWS ADULTS TO MANUFACTURE,
POSSESS, CONSUME CANNABIS (MARIJUANA) IN PRIVATE
RESULT OF "YES" VOTE: "Yes" vote allows persons 21 or older to
manufacture, possess, consume cannabis (marijuana) in private.
RESULT OF "NO" VOTE: "No" vote retains existing statutory
prohibitions against manufacture, possession of certain types of
cannabis (marijuana).
SUMMARY: Amends constitution. Oregon state laws currently
prohibit the possession, manufacture, and delivery of certain types of
cannabis that are commonly known as marijuana. Measure would amend
Oregon Constitution to permit persons 21 years old or older to possess,
manufacture, and consume, in private, all types of cannabis and its
byproducts, including marijuana. Measure would not affect current
Oregon statutes that prohibit the delivery of marijuana.
THE ONLY WAY TO AMNESTY
IS
THROUGH LEGALIZATION
http://www.efn.org/~opp
OREGONIANS for PERSONAL PRIVACY
Post Office Box 24715
Eugene, Oregon 97402
541-485-4526
e-mail opp@efn.org
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative Medicine Spreading, Particularly In Northwest
(An 'Associated Press' Article In The Eugene, Oregon 'Register-Guard'
Says Practitioners Of Naturopathic Medicine Are Gathering In Portland
For Their Annual Meeting This Week - Oregon Is Considered A Leader
In A Growing Shift Away From Mainstream Medicine - This Year,
A Study Released By Landmark Healthcare In Sacramento, California,
Found That 42 Percent Of American Adults Use Some Form
Of Alternative Medicine, Particularly Chiropractic And Herbal Therapies,
Spending $13.7 Billion A Year On Such Treatments)
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 07:04:34 -0700
From: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org (MAPNews)
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
Subject: MN: US: Alternative Medicine Spreading, Particularly In Northwest
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Reply-To: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Organization: Media Awareness Project http://www.mapinc.org/lists/
Source: Register-Guard, The (OR)
Contact: rgletters@guardnet.com
Website: http://www.registerguard.com/
Pubdate: Tue, 25 Aug 1998
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE SPREADING, PARTICULARLY IN NORTHWEST
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Practitioners of naturopathic medicine gather for
their annual meeting here this week, fittingly in a state considered a
leader in a growing shift away from mainstream medicine.
This year, a study released by Landmark HealthCare in Sacramento, Calif.,
found that 42 percent of American adults use some form of alternative
medicine, particularly chiropractic and herbal therapies, spending $13.7
billion a year on such treatments.
Up to 1,000 naturopaths and other health-care practitioners are expected to
attend when the five-day conference of the American Association of
Naturopathic Physicians opens Wednesday.
Clyde Jensen, president of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine,
said Portland was an appropriate choice because the Northwest has been the
leader in alternative medicine.
``The Northwestern mentality is a very independent, pioneering mentality,''
said Jensen, a pharmacologist and past president of three osteopathic
medicine colleges.
Oregon already has seen changes based on increasing consumer interest in
alternative medicine, including research into alternative therapies by the
Oregon Cancer Center at Oregon Health Sciences University.
Next spring, the OHSU medical school will inaugurate an annual lecture on
alternative medicine, adding to course work already offered.
``Our charge at the cancer center is to try to validate some of the
alternative strategies that have been employed in the past and maybe even
to develop some for the future,'' said Dr. Grover Bagby, center director.
Nature's Northwest, a grocery chain with organic produce and health foods,
opened a Lake Oswego store this month with a pharmacy for prescription
drugs combined with an herbal supplement dispensary.
National College and Bastyr University outside Seattle are the country's
nation's only fully accredited natural medicine schools. Bastyr offers
undergraduate and graduate programs in natural health sciences.
In addition to National College, Portland is home to chiropractic and
Oriental Asian medicine colleges and two massage schools.
The colleges have helped alternative therapies grow in importance,
especially in the Northwest.
In 1996, for example, Bastyr University and King County, which includes
Seattle, opened the nation's first fully integrated, publicly funded
financed conventional and natural medicine clinic. The King County Natural
Medicine Clinic offers primary medical care as well as naturopathic
medicine, acupuncture, chiropractic and massage.
``The rest of the country is now catching up to where Portland and Seattle
have long been,'' said Peter Barry Chowka, spokesman for the American
Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
In More Than 3,000 Cases, Neighbors Not Notified ('The Associated Press'
Notes Oregon State Police Are Too Busy Busting Pot Smokers
To Protect The Public From Sex Offenders)
[ed. note - If this story seems unrelated to drug policy, then please read
"Government Releases 134,000 Convicted Sex Criminals To Lock Up Pot-Smokers
Instead, Libertarians Charge". Currently, at least one member of the
Portland Marijuana Task Force is an Oregon State Police trooper. Beyond
that, the state refuses to disclose how many state police work
as prohibition agents.]
***
The Associated Press
8/25/98 5:13 PM
CLACKAMAS, Ore. (AP) -- Oregon State Police say a lack of manpower is part
of the reason residents aren't always told when convicted sex offenders are
released. There is already a backlog of 3,000 such cases.
A bill for the 1999 Legislature would streamline evaluation and add 15
positions to help notify neighbors and track offenders.
In addition, the bill would make public records of sex offenders' addresses
and offenses so people could call in to find out if an offender lived on
their street.
Currently, State Police Detective Jim Ragon's staff -- two full-time
clerical workers, one full-time and two part-time analysts -- is in charge
of evaluating the 60 sex offenders who go off parole and probation every
month. Since his office began operating in October 1997, it has evaluated
600 offenders and made door-to-door warnings on 72.
The backlog of more than 3,000 outstanding cases is beyond the department's
capacity, he said, and to stop work on current cases doesn't make sense.
"Whatever we do, the ball is going to get dropped either way," he said.
One of the offenders who fell through the cracks was James Hubert Potts, 45,
of Clackamas. Potts moved into a mobile home park in April. Two months
later, he was accused of abusing a neighbor's 9-year-old daughter.
Potts' case shows that manpower isn't the only factor. Because there are so
many sexual offenders, law enforcement has created a tool that helps them
focus on those at highest risk of committing new crimes.
But that process would have indicated Potts posed little risk to his neighbors.
Potts was convicted of attempted first-degree sodomy in Multnomah County in
1991 and spent a year in jail and three years on probation. The victim was a
girl who was not a neighbor.
In October 1996, he was convicted of a misdemeanor charge of contributing to
the sexual delinquency of a minor and sentenced to 30 days in jail and 12
months' probation. That victim was a 14-year-old girl whom he met through
his work as a pest exterminator. She also was not a neighbor.
Even though Potts had two prior convictions, authorities agreed Potts would
not have been considered predatory under current standards.
"We probably have people out there who are far more dangerous than he is,"
Ragon said.
To be a predator, a person must meet three of seven criteria, such as being
convicted for forcible rape, having multiple victims, using a weapon or
molesting boys.
"Ask police and they say yes, they notify on sex offenders," said Sam Olsen,
a Jackson County Community Corrections officer. "The truth is that we don't
notify on most cases, and we have to notify only in the case of predators.
"If people want state police to go door-to-door, then the Legislature needs
to make that decision."
(c)1998 Oregon Live LLC
Copyright 1997 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not
be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Officer Charged With Stealing Cocaine
(According To United Press International, Los Angeles County Prosecutors
Say Rafael Antonio Perez, A Nine-Year Veteran Of The Los Angeles Police
Department Was Charged Today With Stealing Cocaine Valued At $800,000
From The Property Room At Police Headquarters)
From: "W.H.E.N. - Bob Owen" (when@olywa.net)
To: "-Hemp Talk" (hemp-talk@hemp.net)
Subject: HT: LAPD Officer charged with stealing cocaine
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 18:44:30 -0700
Sender: owner-hemp-talk@hemp.net
(UPI Spotlight)
Officer charged with stealing cocaine
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 25 (UPI) - A nine-year veteran of the Los Angeles
Police Department has been charged (Tuesday) with stealing cocaine with
a street value of $800,000 from the property room at police
headquarters. Los Angeles County prosecutors say 31-year-old Rafael
Antonio Perez is accused of forging the name, serial number and
assignment of another officer to check the drugs out of the property
room.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Los Angeles Policeman Accused Of Stealing Cocaine From Headquarters
(The 'Reuters' Version)
From: Scott Dykstra (rumba2@earthlink.net)
Reply-To: rumba2@earthlink.net
To: ntlist@Fornits.com
From: ntlist@Fornits.com
Subject: [ntlist] pigs and drugs
NOTE: Ever wonder why pigs and congress don't agree to
submitting drug test samples for detection? Now you
know....
05:35 PM ET 08/25/98
L.A. policeman accused of stealing cocaine from HQ
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The already battered Los Angeles
police received another black eye Tuesday when an officer was
arrested for stealing cocaine from the force's own headquarters
building.
``It's very sad and tragic, we've had to arrest one of our
own,'' police chief Bernard Parks told a news conference to
announce the arrest. ``This has tarnished the badge of the Los
Angeles Police Department and many of the 9,700 sworn officers
and 3,500 civilian employees.''
He said Officer Rafael Antonio Perez, 31, had been booked on
suspicion of theft of cocaine, possession of cocaine for sale
and forgery. The nine-year veteran was being held on $560,000
bail.
Parks said two alleged drug dealers, whom he did not name,
were also arrested in connection with the investigation into the
removal of about six pounds of cocaine worth about $800,000 from
the property room at the Los Angeles Police Department's Parker
Center HQ.
The room is used to store seized drugs and other items to be
used later as evidence in court.
Parks said Perez allegedly checked out the cocaine in the
name of another officer and investigators believed he then sold
it to the dealers.
The incident is the latest to batter the image of the LAPD,
still recovering from the 1991 videotaped beating of black
motorist Rodney King and an ensuing riot that erupted after four
white officers were acquitted of state charges in the case. Two
were later jailed on federal charges.
A federal commission was set up after the King incident to
investigate allegations of racism and misconduct in the LAPD and
made several recommendations to improve the department's
relations with the people of America's second-largest city.
The police also came under fire for alleged incompetence in
several recent high-profile investigations, including the O.J.
Simpson case in which the former football star was acquitted of
murdering his ex-wife and her friend.
REUTERS
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Low Settlement Likely In Shooting ('The San Francisco Examiner'
Says San Francisco Is Expected To Pay $110,000 To The Family
Of An Unarmed Man Shot In The Head When A Prohibition Agent's Gun
'Accidentally' Went Off As The Man Fled An Attempted Drug Bust -
75 Other Police Officers Were Needed To Rescue The Killer And His Partner
After They Were Trapped In Their Police Van By 200 Angry Neighbors)
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 21:40:21 -0700
From: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org (MAPNews)
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
Subject: MN: US CA: Low Settlement Likely In Shooting
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Reply-To: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Organization: Media Awareness Project http://www.mapinc.org/lists/
Newshawk: compassion23@geocities.com (Frank S. World)
Pubdate: Tue, 25 Aug 1998
Source: San Francisco Examiner
Contact: letters@examiner.com
Website: http://www.examiner.com
Author: Jim Herron Zamora OF THE EXAMINER STAFF
LOW SETTLEMENT LIKELY IN SHOOTING
City May Shell Out Mere $100,000 To Family Of Man Cop Shot From Behind
The City will most likely pay only $110,000 to settle a $10 million lawsuit
filed by the family of William Hankston, who was fatally shot by an
undercover officer following an attempted drug bust nearly three years ago.
The proposed amount is significantly lower than other settlements in
lawsuits over police shootings or other wrongful deaths.
The Police Commission is expected to approve the proposed settlement at its
Wednesday night meeting, closing a chapter on a shooting that nearly caused
a riot in the Ocean View neighborhood. City officials declined to discuss
the proposed settlement. The $110,000 figure was confirmed Monday by
sources close to the case.
The family's attorney, John Burris, said that the family felt that the
killing was "unlawful, even if it was not intentional." Burris said that
the slaying violated city rules governing police weapons discharges and had
caused the family financial and emotional hardship. He would not, however,
discuss the settlement amount.
"Mr. Hankston's death resulted from the negligent handling of a firearm,"
Burris said Monday night. "The officer maintained that it was accidental,
and we maintained that it was unlawful: I think we are both right. The
officer wasn't trying to kill Mr. Hankston, but he clearly performed below
the acceptable standard for a police officer."
Hankston, who was unarmed, was shot in the back of the head by Officer
Jessie Washington on Sept. 6, 1995, as he fled on a bicycle at Ocean View
Playground in the Ingleside District following an attempted drug bust.
Washington told police investigators he had accidentally shot Hankston as
he tried to pull the suspect off the bicycle. After the shooting,
Washington and Officer Mike Logan were trapped in their police van by 200
angry neighbors. Seventy-five police officers arrived to rescue them, using
pepper spray to disperse the crowd.
In October 1995, the criminal grand jury reviewed the case and decided not
to bring charges against Washington. Forensic evidence of the shooting
appeared to bolster the officer's claim that the shooting had been
accidental.
Meanwhile, the results of an internal affairs investigation were never made
public. Nor was the result of an investigation by the Office of Citizen
Complaints that was completed in January.
The largest recent wrongful death settlement by the police department was
$1.5 million. That was to settle a lawsuit stemming from the 1995 death of
a Citicorp vice president who spent the night in a San Francisco police
drunk tank without receiving medical attention after lapsing into a coma.
Most cases have resulted in lower payments, but more than $110,000.
1998 San Francisco Examiner
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Will Foster Update And Letter Writing Request (Meg Foster, The Wife
Of The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Defendant Sentenced To 93 Years
In Prison For Cultivation, Confirms He Has Been Granted Parole
By The Parole Board, But Needs Your Letters To Persuade Governor Keating
To Sign The Papers - Oops, Belay That Request)
From: "Todd McCormick" (todd@a-vision.com)
To: "DRCTalk Reformers' Forum" (drctalk@drcnet.org)
Subject: PLEASE DISTRIBUTE EVERYWHERE! WILL FOSTER
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 02:26:13 -0700
Will Foster Information: http://www.gnv.fdt.net/~jrdawson/willfoster.htm
Message From Meg Foster!
Note: Will has been granted parole by the parole board. The paper work must
now be signed by Gov. Keating, Meg urges every one to voice their concern
and support for Will's expedited release.
Okay here we go, I need you to let people know that when they write or call
or fax Governor Frank Keating, to stress that the ball is NOW IN HIS COURT,
HE CANNOT PASS THIS OFF ON ANYONE ELSE!
He loved to say before that he had no control, well now he does, I want this
damned thing signed!
So here is is phone at the office, (405) 521-2342 he has two fax lines,
(405) 523-4224 and (405) 522-3492.
Web users can contact Gov. Keating (THE GOVERNOR OF OKLAHOMA), via a web
form at: http://www.state.ok.us/osfdocs/gov_mail.html.
Gov. Keating's wife, Cathy Keating, can be contacted via e-mail at:
cathy.keating@oklaosf.state.ok.us,
according to the State of Oklahoma's web site, http://www.state.ok.us.
Cases like Will Foster's cause the emotions to run strong. Please remember
that we make the best impact when we are polite, even while stating the
issue directly and forcefully.
You can write to Will Foster at
William J. Foster
DOC #252721
NFCF
1605 E. Main DS 163
Sayre, OK. 73662
Let me know what else you need, stress for people to hit him hard! I want
to pick him up and start the rest of my life.
Love you, talk with you soon.
- meg
"One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws."
- MLK
***
From: "Todd McCormick" (todd@a-vision.com)
To: "DRCTalk Reformers' Forum" (drctalk@drcnet.org)
Subject: Fw: Will's Parole
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 12:44:00 -0700
Reply-To: drctalk@drcnet.org
Sender: owner-drctalk@drcnet.org
Friends,
Meg just contacted me and sent me this message redacting her last
request and asking everyone to stop calling Gov. Keating. PLEASE COMPLY AND
DISTRIBUTE EVERYWHERE!
>Todd,
>Left a message on your machine, let's back off the gov. on attorney's
>advice.
>Want this to go through nice and easy. I'll keep you updated.
>Pass it on to everyone, Adam is getting it through Arrow.
>Talk with you soon.
>
>- meg
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand Jury Looking At Oregon-Navarro Case ('The Houston Chronicle'
Says Grand Jurors On Monday Began Investigating The Homicide
Of Pedro Oregon-Navarro, Killed By Six Houston Prohibition Agents
Who Burst Into His Home Without A Warrant And Shot Him 12 Times From Behind)
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 12:03:42 -0700
From: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org (MAPNews)
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
Subject: MN: US TX: Grand Jury Looking at Oregon-Navarro Case
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Reply-To: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Organization: Media Awareness Project http://www.mapinc.org/lists/
Newshawk: adbryan@onramp.net
Source: Houston Chronicle (TX)
Contact: viewpoints@chron.com
Website: http://www.chron.com/
Pubdate: Tue, 25 Aug 1998
Author: Steve Brewer
GRAND JURY LOOKING AT OREGON-NAVARRO CASE
`A lot of work' ahead in fatal police shooting
Grand jurors on Monday began investigating the shooting of Pedro
Oregon-Navarro, the 22-year-old man killed by Houston police officers when
they burst into his home without a warrant.
No testimony was taken, but prosecutors gave the jury packets of
information on the July 12 shooting, said Harris County Assistant District
Attorney Ed Porter.
Porter declined to say what was in the packets or how detailed they were.
He also declined to say how many witnesses will testify, other than "quite
a few."
But he did estimate it could take more than two weeks to present the case
because the panel only meets two days a week. Testimony starts Wednesday
and it was not clear how long grand jurors would work each day.
"We do have a lot of work to do," Porter said.
Meanwhile, some sign-carrying protesters stood outside the Harris County
Criminal Courts Building to demand justice, the latest in a series of
similar demonstrations.
Six officers, following a tip from a drug informant, fired more than 30
shots after entering Oregon's southwest Houston apartment about 1:30 a.m.
A shot fired by one of the lawmen hit a fellow officer in his
bullet-resistant vest and knocked him to the floor, police have said. The
officers, now on paid suspensions, apparently thought Oregon fired the shot
and returned fire.
An autopsy showed that all 12 bullets that struck Oregon were fired from
behind. Nine struck him in the back, one in the back of the head, one in
back of the shoulder and one in the back of the hand.
A handgun was found in the apartment, but Oregon had not fired it. No drugs
were found in the residence and tests found no traces of narcotics or
alcohol in Oregon's system.
Harris County District Attorney John B. Holmes Jr. said last week the case
would be treated fairly and that grand jurors would hear from every witness
the state could find, plus those produced by attorneys for Oregon's family.
Holmes has also said the officers might have been within their rights to
shoot Oregon if they felt their lives were in danger, even if they had no
right to be in his home.
Copyright 1998 Houston Chronicle
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Daughter Of Governor's Running Mate Faces Marijuana Charge
(According To 'The Associated Press,' New York Governor George Pataki's
Running Mate, Former Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Donohue,
Said 'We Will Address This As A Family,' But Didn't Explain Why Therefore
She And Pataki Support Policies That Mandate Continued Police Interference
With Her Family And Others)
From: "W.H.E.N. - Bob Owen" (when@olywa.net)
To: "-News" (when@hemp.net)
Subject: Daughter of NY governor's running mate faces marijuana charge
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 18:28:33 -0700
Sender: owner-when@hemp.net
Daughter of governor's running mate faces marijuana charge
Associated Press, 08/25/98 18:36
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The 19-year-old daughter of Gov. George Pataki's running
mate was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana, state
police said Tuesday.
Sara Kenney, a junior at Fordham University, was stopped on a speeding
charge Friday in Schodack just east of Albany, state police Capt. Ronald
Tritto said.
Troopers saw marijuana in the vehicle, he said. Kenney was charged with
speeding and possession of less than 25 grams. She was not taken into
custody and is scheduled for a court appearance Wednesday.
Kenney could face a $100 fine on the marijuana charge if convicted.
Both Pataki and Kenney's mother, former Rensselaer County District Attorney
Mary Donohue, have admitted to experimenting with marijuana when they were
college students.
``What my daughter did was wrong and she knows that,'' Donohue said in a
statement. ``Obviously, this is extremely upsetting to our entire family. We
love her, and we will address this as a family.''
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Police Fire Shots At Boy Holding Water Gun
('The San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune' Says 16-Year-Old Michael Jones
Was In Critical Condition Monday And Charged With Menacing,
Criminal Possession Of A Weapon And Possession Of Marijuana After Police
In New York Mistook His Squirt Gun For A Real Weapon, And Fired 17 Shots
At Him, Hitting Him Six Times)
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1998 18:34:00 -0700
From: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org (MAPNews)
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
Subject: MN: US NY: N.Y. Police Fire Shots At Boy Holding Water Gun
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Reply-To: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Organization: Media Awareness Project http://www.mapinc.org/lists/
Newshawk: Jo-D Harrison
Pubdate: Tue, 25 Aug 1998
Source: San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune (CA)
Contact: slott@slnt01.sanluisobispo.com
Website: http://sanluisobispo.com/
Section: Nation, page A-4
N.Y. POLICE FIRE SHOTS AT BOY HOLDING WATER GUN
NEW YORK (AP) - A 16-year-old boy was shot by police who mistook his
squirt gun for a real weapon, with one of the officers firing all 16 rounds
in his gun.
Michael Jones was in critical condition Monday. He was shot early
Sunday after encountering police while he rode his bicycle. He was hit
six times in the legs.
Police were looking for the boy after an off-duty police officer
reported he was pointing a gun at people and cars.
Police said the boy refused to drop his toy, which looked like a
submachine gun. But Jermain Congress, who was riding his bike with
Jones, said Jones was dropping his pistol when he was shot.
Officer David Gross fired all 16 rounds from his semiautomatic 9mm
pistol at Jones. Sgt. Michael Jacobellis fired once.
Police Commissioner Howard Safir supported his officers.
"Certainly at 2:30 in the morning it would not be unreasonable to
believe this was a real weapon," Safir said, holding up Jones' water
pistol and a 9mm MP5 submachine gun.
It is illegal in the city to sell or possess a toy gun that looks real
or is painted black.
The number of shots fired outraged Jones' family. They were also
perplexed as to why he has been charged with menacing, criminal
possession of a weapon and possession of marijuana.
"Sixteen or 17 shots fired against a water pistol sounds more like
people at the O.K. Corral than policement trying to secure public
safety," the Rev. Al Sharpton, acting as the Jones family spokesman,
said Monday outside Kings County Hospital.
The officers involved were placed on desk duty while the case is
investigated, both internally by the police department and by a grand
jury.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Changes Expected In Drug-Trafficking Fight ('The Orange County Register'
Says The US Drug Czar, General Barry McCaffrey, Was Expected To Propose
'Changes' In The Nation's Interdiction Strategy Today In El Paso, Texas -
In Fact, The Default Strategy Of More Guns And Less Butter Prevails,
Including Deployment Of A New Corps Of Federal Officials To Coordinate
Prohibition Activities Along The US-Mexico Border)
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 21:37:51 -0700
From: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org (MAPNews)
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
Subject: MN: US: Changes Expected In Drug-Trafficking Fight
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Reply-To: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Organization: Media Awareness Project http://www.mapinc.org/lists/
Newshawk: John W.Black
Pubdate: Tue, 25 Aug 1998
Source: Orange County Register (CA)
Contact: letters@link.freedom.com
Website: http://www.ocregister.com/
CHANGES EXPECTED IN DRUG-TRAFFICKING FIGHT
The Clinton administration's point man on drug policy was expected today to
propose changes in the nation's strategy to stem narcotics
trafficking, including deploying a new corps of federal officials to
coordinate drug interdiction along the U.S.-Mexican border.
Barry MaCaffrey, who heads the White House Office of National Drug Control
Policy, is expected to unveil the plan in El Paso,Texas, where he begins a
two day tour of facilities and meets with federal,state and local officials
involved in the drug war.
Saying the United States needs "a coherent,coordinated effort to stem the
flow of drugs," he will press for a federal official at each of the two
dozen land ports to manage resources and suppress rivalries among law
enforcement agencies on the Southwest border.
McCaffrey also wants a federal officer at all 39 crossing points on the
U.S.-Mexican border to coordinate efforts of the U.S. Customs
Service,Border Patrol,state and local agencies.
McCaffrey concedes the current federal effort lacks the cohesion and
coordination to stop drugs from entering the country.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Border Drug Plan Set To Be Unveiled ('The San Antonio News-Express' Version)
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 07:24:15 -0700
From: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org (MAPNews)
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
Subject: MN: US: Border Drug Plan Set To Be Unveiled
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Reply-To: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Organization: Media Awareness Project http://www.mapinc.org/lists/
Newshawk: adbryan@onramp.net
Source: San Antonio News-Express
Contact: letters@express-news.net
Website: http://www.expressnews.com/
Pubdate: 25 Aug 1998
Author: Gary Martin Express-News Washington Bureau
BORDER DRUG PLAN SET TO BE UNVEILED
McCaffrey to make call for regional czar to supervise efforts at ports
and crossings
WASHINGTON -- Drug czar Barry McCaffrey will propose changes in the
nation's strategy to stem narcotics trafficking, including naming a federal
official to coordinate efforts at all 24 ports-of-entry on the U.S.-Mexico
border.
McCaffrey is set to unveil the plan today in El Paso, where he begins a
two-day tour of local facilities and meets with federal, state and local
authorities involved in the drug war.
Earlier this month, McCaffrey, a retired four-star Army general, called for
a presidential nominee to become a Southwest border czar to coordinate law
enforcement activities from Texas to California.
Saying the United States needs "a coherent, coordinated effort to stem the
flow of drugs," he'll press for a federal official at 24 land ports to
better manage resources and suppress rivalries among law enforcement
agencies on the Southwest border.
McCaffrey also wants a federal officer at 39 crossing points on the
U.S.-Mexican border to coordinate efforts of the U.S. Customs Service,
Border Patrol and state and local agencies.
The coordinators at ports and crossings would answer to the Southwest
border czar, who'd be stationed in El Paso, one of the nation's busiest
ports and near the center of the 2,000-mile border from the Rio Grande
Valley to the Pacific Ocean.
"Only by working together, utilizing the strengths of all of our agencies,
can we build a border infrastructure that will defeat the flow of drugs,"
McCaffrey told a San Diego audience Aug. 5.
McCaffrey, who heads the White House Office of National Drug Control
Policy, is expected to detail his proposals in a report to President
Clinton this fall.
In Texas, congressional reaction to McCaffrey's idea has been mixed.
U.S. Rep. Silvestr=E9 Reyes, D-El Paso, applauded a new approach to the
anti-smuggling and trafficking efforts that he said have failed to stop
narcotics from streaming into the country.
Reyes, a former Border Patrol sector chief, has called for increased
manpower and resources for federal agents stationed in the Southwest.
But Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, questioned creation of another
layer of federal bureaucracy in the battle against drugs.
"I'm frustrated," Rodriguez said earlier this month. "There is a serious
situation in this country, and the problem is those that want to consume
this stuff."
Republicans, meanwhile, have called the Clinton administration strategy
against drug trafficking a failure. House Speaker Newt Gingrich outlined a
GOP blueprint earlier this year to strengthen laws and penalties for those
caught smuggling drugs into the country.
McCaffrey concedes the current federal effort lacks the cohesion and
coordination to stop drugs from entering the country at the Southwest=
border.
He said 60 percent of cocaine entering this country and more than 50
percent of marijuana and methamphetamine come through the Southwest border
by airplane, boats, vehicles and pedestrians.
While resources at the border have been increased recently, the process
still lets far too many drugs sneak through because of overlaps in
coverage, redundancy in efforts and lack of central coordination, McCaffrey
said.
He has urged increased cooperation between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement
agencies and is scheduled to meet with Mexican Attorney General Jorge
Madrazo tonight.
That meeting will be preceded by a tour of the border port and the Bridge
of the Americas in El Paso and briefings with officials from various
federal agencies.
Wednesday, McCaffrey is to outline his proposals to strengthen law
enforcement efforts on the border to El Paso business leaders at Fort Bliss.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ruth And McGwire - Different Times, Drugs ('Toronto Star' Sports Columnist
Dave Perkins, A Fan Of Legalisms, Says Baseball's Mark McGwire Hasn't Broken
Any Rules By Using Androstenedione - Unlike Randy Barnes, The US Shotputter
Barred For Life For Using The Same Steroid, Or Babe Ruth,
Who Probably Violated Alcohol Prohibition)
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 09:54:45 -0400
To: mattalk@islandnet.com
From: Dave Haans (haans@chass.utoronto.ca)
Subject: TorStar: Ruth and McGwire: Different times, drugs
Newshawk: Dave Haans
Source: The Toronto Star (Canada)
Pubdate: Tuesday, August 25, 1998
Page: C1
Section: Sports
Website: http://www.thestar.com
Contact: lettertoed@thestar.com
Author: Dave Perkins, Sports Columnist
Ruth and McGwire: Different times, drugs
SO THE BIG slugger hit all those home runs while partaking of a potentially
dangerous substance that is banned in some places, but not others?
Imagine that.
Why, what would Babe Ruth have done if alcohol hadn't been illegal in the
United States for most of his career?
Now, 60 or 70 years later, many people would laugh at the idea that Ruth
used, even abused, a technically illegal product (booze, and often in vast
quantities) while setting dozens of home run records. Pitchers probably
wished he drank more.
It is impossible to know what people will be saying about androstenedione
in several decades. Who knows? They might be sprinkling it on kids'
breakfast cereals in the middle of the next century.
We as a society tend to change our outlook on what are harmful substances
and what aren't. (Even movie theatre popcorn is getting a bad rap
nowadays.) Only 35 years ago, there was intense, passionate public debate
over putting fluoride in the public water system. And please don't suggest
that the medical/scientific community was solidly behind it. There is never
unanimity in that large, diverse group.
All the semi-kerfuffle about Mark McGwire and his hot suppers seems to
centre on the comparative-guilt theme. As in, McGwire broke no rules or
restrictions, but others caught with the same stuff did.
The first part of that previous sentence frames the debate for many of us.
He used a legal performance-enhancing drug? Hey, pro sports is all about
enhancing performance. Give them an edge and many if not most will take it.
If the rules are there, that's one thing. No rules? Go for it.
The second part, about others paying the price, sounds very much like the
Ross Rebagliati silliness at the Winter Olympics. You remember that the
Canadian snowboarder was detected with traces of marijuana in his system.
After that, everything more or less broke down. The weed was illegal in
some jurisdictions but not others. There were specific rules against its
use for these people over here (figure skaters, say) but not those people
over there (speed skaters).
Rebagliati ended up getting his gold medal back because, essentially, no
one could point to an applicable rule in writing - and the Olympic family
has many rules - that his urine specifically broke.
Main difference between Rebagliati and McGwire seems to be that the
baseball star hasn't claimed he is the victim of second-hand steroid
pollution.
Not to suggest it is all so simple, that McGwire broke no rules and that
Randy Barnes, the U.S. shotputter barred for life for using the same
steroid, did. But it is almost that simple.
This is no news flash, but there are different rules for the same stuff in
different places. Try getting caught with a couple of joints on Yorkville
Ave. Then get caught with it in, say, Malaysia.
Some day, baseball could well bar the use of McGwire's over-the-counter
steroid. If and when it does, fine. Anyone caught using it then will then
face the same penalties - a cycle of education, rehab and, if it continues,
possible suspension - that players now face for getting caught with other
illegal substances.
Would someone, someday, suggest going back and placing an asterisk beside
McGwire's home runs this season because he used a legal substance that
later became illegal? Not likely.
You don't see anyone rushing to mark up the Babe's home runs because booze
was illegal in the 1920s.
Or because cocaine was legal back then, either.
Anybody see much difference?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Mexico Rejects Conditions On US Anti-Drug Efforts ('The Associated Press'
Says Mexico's Foreign Relations Secretariat On Monday Once Again Just Said No
To US Demands That American Prohibition Agents Be Allowed To Carry Arms
In Mexico, Rejecting A Bribe Proposed By Two Republican Lawmakers,
Senator Mike DeWine Of Ohio And Representative Bill McCollum Of Florida,
Which Would Have Provided New Helicopters To Mexico)
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1998 14:39:43 -0700
From: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org (MAPNews)
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
Subject: MN: Mexico: Wire: Mexico Rejects Conditions On U.S. Anti-Drug
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Reply-To: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Organization: Media Awareness Project http://www.mapinc.org/lists/
Newshawk: Patrick Henry (resist_tyranny@mapinc.org)
Pubdate: Tue, 25 Aug 1998
Source: AP
Author: John Rice
MEXICO CITY -- Concerned by U.S. attempts to guide Mexican anti-drug
efforts, officials here are again rejecting calls to let American
agents carry arms in Mexico.
U.S. officials have long argued that Drug Enforcement Administration
agents need to carry weapons to protect themselves from drug gangs
while on Mexican soil. A DEA agent, Enrique Camarena, was kidnapped,
tortured and killed by drug traffickers in 1985.
Mexico has repeatedly rejected the request, seeing the presence of
foreign armed agents as a threat to its sovereignty. The Foreign
Relations Secretariat on Monday rejected the demands again.
"The government of Mexico has repeatedly and emphatically indicated
that it will not grant such permission," said secretariat spokesman
Oscar Ramirez Suarez in a news release.
The statement came in response to a proposal by two Republican
lawmakers, Sen. Mike DeWine of Ohio and Rep. Bill McCollum of Florida,
which would offer new helicopters for Mexico if the country allows
U.S. agents to carry weapons here.
The proposal is part of their "Western Hemisphere Drug Elimination Act
of 1998," which also urges that all U.S. law enforcement officials
working across the border be granted diplomatic immunity.
The proposal comes at a time of increased Mexican sensitivity to U.S.
drug-fighting efforts here.
Mexican lawmakers expressed outrage in May when the U.S. announced
that U.S. agents working secretly in Mexico had been involved in the
arrest of several Mexican bankers on money-laundering charges.
Mexican officials claimed that the operation violated the country's
sovereignty as well as agreements to share information. The attorney
general's office has vowed to try to extradite and prosecute the U.S.
agents.
Meanwhile, a federal court here has blocked extradition of a major
drug-traffic suspect wanted by the United States, Oscar Malherbe,
newspapers reported Tuesday.
Drug agents claim Malherbe took over leadership of Mexico's Gulf
Cartel following the 1996 arrest of Juan Garcia Abrego. In January, a
Mexican court sentenced Malherbe to two years in prison on weapons
charges.
Malherbe is wanted on multiple drug-trafficking charges in the United
States. The new court ruling blocks extradition at least until all
legal cases against him in Mexico are resolved.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Mac Hikes Drug Sales ('The Toronto Star' Says Revelations
Of Androstenedione Use By Mark McGwire, The St. Louis Cardinal
Who Is Boosting Attendance With His Dramatic Home Run Chase,
Is Also Boosting Sales Of The Testosterone-Producing Supplement)
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 09:51:15 -0400
To: mattalk@islandnet.com
From: Dave Haans (haans@chass.utoronto.ca)
Subject: TorStar: Mac hikes drug sales
Newshawk: Dave Haans
Source: The Toronto Star (Canada)
Pubdate: Tuesday, August 25, 1998
Page: C1
Section: Sports
Website: http://www.thestar.com
Contact: lettertoed@thestar.com
Mac hikes drug sales
Androstenedione demand increasing, distributor claims
By Randy Starkmanand and Doug Smith
Toronto Star Sports Reporters
Mark McGwire isn't just boosting attendance with his dramatic home run
chase - he's having a big impact on sales of androstenedione.
As the debate rages over revelations of McGwire's use of the
testosterone-producing supplement, one thing seems certain -
androstenedione is destined to become more popular than ever before.
One distributor of the product in the United States that advertises on the
Internet said he sold 50 bottles Saturday - the day stories about McGwire's
use appeared in the newspapers - and was well on his way to surpassing that
total early yesterday. He said he normally sold three or four bottles per day.
``It's sadly ironic that this unfortunate situation may just be a marketing
bonanza for those that are profiting from the sale of these products,''
said Dr. Andrew Pipe, chairman of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.
Androstenedione is sold over-the-counter in the U.S. but is prohibited in
Canada and is banned by the International Olympic Committee, the NFL and
the NCAA, all of which view the drug as an anabolic steroid.
Olympic champion shotputter Randy Barnes of the U.S. faces a lifetime ban
after testing positive recently for androstenedione. It was his second
positive drug test.
But androstenedione is not banned by Major League Baseball, which under its
drug program prohibits ``all illegal drugs and controlled substances,
including steroids or prescription drugs for which the individual in
possession of the drug does not have a prescription.'' The league does not
test its athletes.
Blue Jays slugger Jose Canseco told reporters he has used androstenedione
for the past six months, while McGwire said he's been on it for more than a
year.
The Blue Jays yesterday said that its medical policy has been broadened to
include androstenedione ``as a non-recommended supplement.''
A statement issued by general manager Gord Ash said that because
androstenedione and Creatine, another bodybuilding substance, ``are not
considered banned or illegal within the baseball industry . . . our only
alternative is to properly educate and advise our players of the possible
risks of long-term utilization.''
Those who lead the anti-doping effort in Canada said that professional
baseball is now paying a price for its lack of a clear policy on
performance-enhancing drugs.
``I think it's going to come back to haunt them,'' Pipe said. ``I think
you're going to hear similar kinds of stories in the future. It reveals the
shortcomings of many pro sports organizations to address the issue in any
comprehensive manner.
``Pro sports have to decide if they're in the entertainment business or the
sports business. If they're in the sports business, they're going to have
to make sure the accomplishments of their athletes are human
accomplishments and not pharmaceutical achievements.''
Victor Lachance, chief executive officer of the Canadian Centre for Ethics
in Sport, said those watching the home run derby will now have a jaundiced
view of the proceedings.
``Instead of just sitting back and watching this race for the home run
record, there's this debate on whether it's really fair. Is it athletic
excellence or is it drugs?'' Lachance said.
``It's the league that has created this environment. Mark McGwire hasn't
broken any rules. It's unfair to Mark McGwire. He didn't create this
environment.''
Rosie Schwartz, a noted Toronto nutritionist and author, thinks the message
being sent by McGwire is the wrong one.
``My concern as a nutritionist is that people will look at Mark McGwire or
Jose Canseco and they'll want to go to Buffalo to get that stuff,'' she
said. ``And when it comes to (nutritional supplements unavailable in
Canada), people find ways to bring those things into the country.''
Pipe said an additional problem is that there is no way to verify the
accuracy of labelling or the content of the bottle.
And with little or no long-term scientific studies available on the effects
of some steroids, ``whether or not Mark McGwire breaks the record and they
put an asterisk beside his name is not the big issue,'' Schwartz said.
``You need to look at the long term.''
The Food and Drug Administration in the U.S., which is investigating
androstenedione, has it defined as a ``dietary supplement.''
Androstenedione is a direct precursor to testosterone. Enzymes in the liver
quickly transform androstenedione into testosterone, elevating the
testosterone levels of the user. The rationale of athletes using the drug
is that it enables them to train harder and recover more quickly.
``If testosterone is banned, a direct precursor of testosterone should also
be banned,'' said Dr. Christiane Ayotte, head of the IOC-accredited
laboratory in Montreal. ``It's obvious that it is increasing testosterone
levels.''
Like Major League Baseball, most of the other pro leagues don't have a
clear-cut policy.
The NHL does not have a league-wide testing program in place.
The NBA has no definitive policy on steroids. The league and its players
are currently negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement, of which
drug testing is a part.
The expired agreement provides for testing for so-called recreational drugs
cocaine and heroin, although there is a desire in some circles to also
include marijuana in the next union-league deal.
The NFL conducts weekly steroid tests for its players during the season and
does periodic out-of-season testing of players selected at random. The
league also has tests for ``reasonable cause'' for players with prior
steroid infractions.
The CFL doesn't have a formal drug and doping policy with its players'
union, league spokesperson Jim Neish said.
``It's kind of a gray area for us. With no formal policy, the commissioner
would deal with an issue like that if and when it came to light.
``If, for instance, a player is caught taking a banned substance, the
commissioner would treat it on an individual basis.''
Sidebar:
[Newshawk note: Toronto is in the 416 area code.]
Reaction
POLL
Does Mark McGwire's admission that he uses a controversial muscle building
supplement taint his pursuit of Roger Maris' home run record?
Call 350-3000, then press category 6397, Press 1 for yes, 2 for no.
Lines will be open until 6 p.m. today, and results published in tomorrow's
paper.
(You must use a touch-tone phone)
To comment, call 350-3000, then press category 7825 and leave a brief
message, including your name and phone number. You must use a touch tone
phone. Calls will be tabulated until 6 p.m. today and a story will be
published in The Star tomorrow.
We would also welcome your Re:action to this issue via the Internet by
e-mailing us at sports@thestar.ca and please leave your name, phone number
and address. Or you can fax us at 865-3999.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
East Germans Pioneered The Use Of 'Andro' - Swimmer - 'It Was Like
A Volcanic Eruption' ('The Toronto Star' Says That Although East Germans
Made The Use Of Androstenedione Mandatory For Athletes
Before The Seoul Olympics, There Are No Published Studies
About The Adrenal Hormone)
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 09:56:08 -0400
To: mattalk@islandnet.com
From: Dave Haans (haans@chass.utoronto.ca)
Subject: TorStar: East Germans pioneered the use of 'andro'
Newshawk: Dave Haans
Source: The Toronto Star (Canada)
Pubdate: Tuesday, August 25, 1998
Page: C2
Section: Sports
Website: http://www.thestar.com
Contact: lettertoed@thestar.com
East Germans pioneered the use of 'andro'
Swimmer: 'It was like a volcanic eruption'
By Randy Starkman
Toronto Star Sports Reporter
Mark McGwire is being powered by a substance favoured by the former East
German sports machine, which pioneered the use of androstenedione and,
according to documents discovered after the reunification of Germany, made
it mandatory for athletes before the Seoul Olympics.
It was only recently, however, that tests were able to detect
androstenedione, an adrenal hormone that is a direct precursor to
testosterone. Enzymes in the liver quickly transform androstenedione into
testosterone. Androstenedione was added to the International Olympic
Committee's banned list last December.
There is debate about the drug's efficacy. There are no published studies
on the matter. The potential side effects are not well known either.
``We don't know as yet if it's as efficient an anabolic agent as
testosterone would be,'' said Dr. Christiane Ayotte, who runs the IOC's
accredited laboratory in Montreal. But according to the East German
research, a 100 milligram tablet of androstenedione increased testosterone
levels in males up to 237 per cent. East German swimmer Raik Hannerman was
quoted as saying: ``It was like a volcanic eruption.''
Dr. Mauro di Pasquale, an assistant professor at the University of Toronto
and widely published author on the topic of performance-enhancing
substances, said the controversy about androstenedione is a ``lot of
hullabaloo about nothing'' and it should not be regarded as an anabolic
steroid.
Di Pasquale said that he has been involved in conducting tests that
demonstrate it has little to no effect on men with normal testosterone
levels. But he does believe that some athletes are using androstenedione to
hide the fact they're taking testosterone.
``It gives them a cover,'' di Pasquale said. ``I know for a fact it is
being used as a cover by some athletes.''
In Canada, androstenedione falls under the Controlled Drugs and Substances
Act. It's listed as an anabolic steroid and a licence is required to
distribute the drug.
A spokesperson for Health Canada said customs officials could seize the
drug if it was found on someone entering the country, but that prosecution
would only take place if the amount being carried was suggestive of
trafficking or further distribution.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Help For Hemp Industry ('The Chatham Daily News'
Says Ontario's Small But Growing Commercial Hemp Industry
Received A Financial Boost Monday With A $60,000 Federal Government Grant
To Kenex Ltd. Under The Agricultural Adaptation Council's Can-Adapt Program)
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 1998 09:54:07 -0700
From: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org (MAPNews)
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
Subject: MN: Canada: Help For Hemp Industry
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Reply-To: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Organization: Media Awareness Project http://www.mapinc.org/lists/
Newshawk: Joe Hickey (agfuture@kih.net)
Source: Chatham Daily News (Canada)
Contact: siteseer@cwconnect.ca
Pubdate: 25 Aug 1998
Author: Bob Boughner, The Daily News
HELP FOR HEMP INDUSTRY
$60,000 grant will fund non-woven fibre matting line for Kenex operation
PAIN COURT -- Ontario's small, but growing, commercial hemp industry
received a financial boost Monday with help from a federal government
grant. A $60,000 grant has been awarded to Kenex Ltd. under the
Agricultural Adaptation Council's Can-Adapt Program.
"As one of the first supporters of hemp within the federal government, I am
pleased that Kenex is leading the way locally with this alternative crop,"
said Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MP Rose-Marie Ur. "The funding announced today
will help process the 1998 crop, leading to a tripling of the acreage for
expanding export markets." AAC will help fund a non-woven fibre matting
line that will create a value-added product from hemp fibre for use in the
textile, auto parts manufacturing and construction industries.
The new production line is just the start of hemp product development.
Kenex plans to market 400 tons of hemp fibre or matting by the end of the
year for various industrial applications with a target of 1,500 tons in 1999.
"This project will have a significant impact on Ontario's economy," said
Ralph Stephen, a director of the AAC. "The 2,000 acres currently under
contract with Ontario farmers is expected to triple by the year 2000 while
the processing facility will create jobs and require the development of new
farm equipment."
CanAdapt funds are available for projects designed to foster long-term
growth, financial self-sufficiency, employment and competitiveness for
Ontario's agriculture, food and rural communities. To date, over $1.8
million has been committed to 28 projects benefiting Ontario soil and water
conservation. Currently, Kenex has about 52 growers on contract -- 40 in
Chatham-Kent, six in Lambton, five in Essex and one in Haldimand-Norfolk.
"This year's crop will create direct farm income of $2 million to the
contract growers," said Ur. She said the project receiving the $60,000
funding will include a research facility to do fibre studies, oil seed
fatty acid levels and possibly product development. "This is an opportunity
to re-establish a crop formerly grown in Ontario, provide farmers with an
alternate crop and enter a market with large expansion potential." In the
long term, she said, the project is expected to result in production of
fibre, hemp grain and straw for sale in Canada and the U.S. "It will mean
the diversification of crops in southern Ontario, an increase in direct
farm income, with additional crop added to rotation, the protection of our
natural environment, as hemp usage increases in textile, auto and
construction industries with important replacement and great export
potential."
Jean Laprise of Kenex said his firm was pleased to receive the financial
assistance from CanAdapt. He stressed that it represents, however, a small
percentage of the $1 million in the project by his company. Laprise said
that so far Kenex has invested more than $4 million in the hemp industry.
For more info contact: Kenex, Ltd. Jean Laprise (519) 351-9922
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Olympic Boss Calls For War On Drug Cheats (According To 'The Australian,'
John Coates, President Of The Australian Olympic Committee, Demanded Monday
That Drug-Cheating Athletes Be Jailed And Their Dealers In Anabolic Steroids
Face Life Sentences)
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 17:10:05 -0700
From: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org (MAPNews)
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
Subject: MN: Australia: Olympic Boss
Calls For War On Drug Cheats
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Reply-To: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Organization: Media Awareness Project http://www.mapinc.org/lists/
Newshawk: Ken Russell
Pubdate: Tue, 25 August 1998
Source: The Australian
Contact: ausletr@matp.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/
Author: Nicole Jeffrey
OLYMPIC BOSS CALLS FOR WAR ON DRUG CHEATS
AUSTRALIA'S Olympic chief yesterday demanded drug-cheating athletes be
jailed and their dealers in anabolic steroids face life sentences.
John Coates, president of the Australian Olympic Committee, said suppliers
of hard sports drugs should be subject to the same penalties as narcotics
traffickers.
He called on State and federal governments to introduce the toughest
criminal penalties in the world for users and traders of sports drugs,
including jail sentences of up to two years for cheating athletes.
He said the current criminal penalties were inadequate when there was
evidence anabolic steroid abuse had outstripped that of heroin or cocaine in
the general community.
"If we are to ensure that the 2000 Olympic Games are not remembered as the
Drug Games, immediate action is required," he said.
He said the current sports drug penalties, which ranged from fines to a
maximum penalty of two years in jail, were significantly lighter than those
for narcotics and were not a sufficient deterrent.
In a submission to Prime Minister John Howard and State leaders, Mr Coates
sought a commitment from all governments to introduce uniform, strict
penalties.
A spokesman for Justice Minister Amanda Vanstone said last night the State
and Commonwealth attorneys-general were already considering a similar
proposal.
"The Commonwealth and the State attorneys are consulting on a draft report
on serious drug offences, which includes this proposal," he said.
A spokesman for Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said he was "very
sympathetic", but would need to look closely at the detail of the AOC plan.
Mr Coates said he had informed International Olympic Committee president
Juan Antonio Samaranch of the proposal and hoped other countries would adopt
it at the IOC's world anti-doping summit in February.
The AOC has also toughened its own penalties on Olympic athletes who are
found guilty of using serious performance-enhancing drugs like anabolic
steroids, beta-2 agonists, human growth hormone (HGH), erythropoietin (EPO).
Mr Coates said any member of the 2000 Olympic team who committed a serious
doping offence would be required to return all grants from the AOC and the
Foster's Sports Foundation.
He said this could amount to between $100,000 and $500,000.
The AOC would also encourage all athletes to make the same commitment to
their personal sponsors to pay back the money if they were exposed as drug
cheats.
Olympic athletes contacted yesterday were highly supportive of the AOC
initiative.
"I think it's a very bold move and will set Australia up as the benchmark
against drugs," AOC Athletes' Commission member Nicole Stevenson, a retired
Olympic swimming medallist, said.
"People might ask how sports drugs can be put in the same category as
heroin, but some of the drugs athletes are taking can also cause serious
illness and death."
Olympic sprinter Melinda Gainsford-Taylor was enthusiastic about the
proposal.
"I think that's fabulous - putting in harder penalties is a great idea,"
she said.
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[End]
to the 1998 Daily News index for August 20-26