The days when our federal government can get away with confusing the drug war's collateral damage with a comparatively harmless plant are coming to an end. If the goal of marijuana prohibition is to subsidize drug cartels, prohibition is a success. The drug war distorts supply and demand dynamics so that big money grows on little trees. If the goal of marijuana prohibition is to deter use, prohibition is a failure. The United States has double the rate of use as the Netherlands, where marijuana is legally available. The criminalization of Americans who prefer marijuana to martinis has no basis in science. The war on marijuana consumers is a failed cultural inquisition, not an evidence-based public health campaign. It's time to stop the pointless arrests and instead tax legal marijuana. Policy Analyst Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington, D.C. [end]
In the news business you never know which article is going to receive a response from the readership. For example, we published an editorial Sunday arguing that Pennsylvania shouldn't legalize marijuana. I figured it would be a relatively safe editorial as most people believe smoking drugs is a bad idea. After the editorial was published we received a letter to the editor from the bill's primary sponsor. State Sen. Daylin Leach, a Democrat representing Delaware and Montgomery counties, believes the costs for law enforcement and correctional institutions no longer justify the need to regulate a drug that has effects similar to alcohol. [continues 330 words]
Recently, the Daily American printed the editorial "Not Worth It," arguing against Senate Bill 528, which would legalize, tax and regulate marijuana in Pennsylvania. Respectfully, many of the claims offered in that opinion piece simply don't hold water. Here's why. First, as the NAACP noted in its support of my legislation and referenced in the recently released ACLU study, the war on drugs is racially-biased, inefficient and ineffective. As stated in the report, African Americans in Pennsylvania are more than 5 times more likely to be arrested for possession than Caucasians, despite equal usage rates. In Somerset County, African Americans are 9.4 times more likely to be arrested. [continues 246 words]
North Star school board members will begin a voluntary student drug-screening program called Remembering ADAM for ninth through 12th grades. This program will allow students to sign up for random drug screenings for the rest of the year. The program is meant to help students who might be having a drug problem, but are having trouble asking for help. It will be free to the district for the first year. The drug screening will consist of a urine sample administered by a nurse. [continues 250 words]
Although it shouldn't be a surprise, mixed messages came out of Washington, D.C. this week. On Tuesday the Food and Drug Administration released new graphic warning labels for cigarette packages. On Thursday U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Tex., and Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., along with other members of Congress, introduced legislation in the House to limit the federal government's role in marijuana enforcement to cross-border or inter-state smuggling. The initial reaction is how can the government try to encourage more people to quit smoking, but not want to enforce laws against marijuana use. [continues 189 words]
BOSWELL - North Star School District may return to the short-lived drug policy it installed less than five years ago. The school board decided Monday to schedule a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. March 24 to discuss the possibility, as well as budget matters. According to Superintendent Dennis Leyman, the district's former policy allowed the school to test at random any student involved with athletics, extracurricular activities or who had a driver's permit. These rules were in effect until 2006, lasting less than two years. [continues 242 words]
Dr. Bertha K. Madras, deputy director for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, held a summit to discuss random student drug testing. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that it is legal for public schools to test those who are in extra curricular activities, such as sports. Random drug testing makes sense for school students. If a student has a drug a problem, it needs to come to light for the parents to address the problem. Another reason for drug testing is fairness among athletes. Students who aren't subject to testing may try dangerous drugs such as steroids to gain a competitive edge. We believe it's important for parents and schools to make sure high school students are not on a dangerous path by abusing drugs. Random drug testing is one way to help young people stay healthy and keep activities fair for all athletes. [end]
Somerset County's courthouse was abuzz Friday with young and old voices trying to make a difference. Courtroom No. 1 filled beyond capacity as hundreds of students, parents and public officials joined a Red Ribbon Rally in which awards were presented for anti-drug posters, banners and essays. The rally marks the beginning of a weeklong campaign to combat drug and alcohol abuse among young people. Along with individual awards, for the 12th consecutive year, a team from Rockwood Area High School took first place in the banner contest. Second place went to the Shade-Central City School District, while Meyersdale Area School District came in third. Teams from the Turkeyfoot Valley Area School District and Somerset County Technology Center achieved honorable mention. [continues 619 words]
CONEMAUGH TOWNSHIP - Police Chief Howard Jackson says that rural communities pose unique challenges to local departments as the ever-increasing cost of providing service threatens to outstrip what a tax base can afford for police. "You have to think of expansion. The larger the department, the more services you can provide," Jackson says from the newly remodeled interview room of the township police department. Jackson, an earnest-looking officer with black wire rimmed glasses and thinning black hair, looks more like an academic than a chief of police. [continues 698 words]
A large southern Illinois methamphetamine case has put several local individuals behind bars and Friday morning a West Frankfort resident and FCHS graduate was the latest to be sentenced in connection with the conspiracy case. Rebecca Spann, 21, of West Frankfort was arrested on methamphetamine charges several months ago after she chose not to continue cooperating with law enforcement officials in obtaining information on several additional individuals involved in a large-scale methamphetamine production and delivery investigation. Spann's mother took the stand Friday morning and told the court her daughter was an "A and B student" and participated in "volleyball, basketball, and cheerleading," while in attendance at St. John's Catholic School in West Frankfort. [continues 985 words]
