Shame can be a powerful behavior modifier, and we're happy to see the Belleville Police use it in the fight against drugs. The department is getting some criticism for putting up signs that point out drug houses -- including from a resident of an apartment building on West H Street who says the sign at that location unfairly targeted him (the signs don't have suspects' names on them, so why is he so sure the sign is about him?) The truth is, you often don't need a sign to point out a drug house; they're often easy to identify because of all the comings and goings of people at all hours of the day and night. The formal sign just lets everyone know that the police are aware of the problem and are not going to tolerate it. [continues 54 words]
In Monday's Sun-Times, a story about a drug bust said that 15 pounds of pot had a street value of [$40,000]. The problem with reporting that is the fact that drug dealers are able to sell their illegal drugs at high prices based on media information. Back in my Haight-Ashbury days of the 1960s, weed sold for $7.50 a lid (an ounce) or about $100 a pound. The same thing applies when the news media reports that ticket scalpers are selling World Series, Super Bowl or entertainment venue tickets at many times more than the price printed on the ticket. All this ever does is give credence to the scalper's inflated prices. Why aid and abet the drug pushers by advertising exaggerated prices? Jerry Pritikin, Near North Side [end]
To balance your enthusiastic portrayal of no-knock police raids in "Police! Search Warrant!," you should present some of the tragic outcomes that have taken place as a result of policemen forcing themselves into people's homes. Mistaken identities, lying informants and simple miscommunication have led to people dying and killing police officers. At the same time, giving police a green light to bash their way into people's homes in response to nonviolent drug crimes represents a dangerous advancement in the militarization of law enforcement. James Seidler, Lincoln Square [end]
BELLEVILLE -- Following the release of annual crime statistics, police say growth in crime in the city slowed down last year. It was up overall 6.3 percent from 2008, but it had grown by at least 10 percent each of the previous four years. Mirroring a national trend, reports of several types of crime were down -- criminal sexual assault by just more than 40 percent; robbery by 11.5 percent; and aggravated assault and battery by 19 percent. But drug offenses were up dramatically -- 17.5 percent overall, to 329 incidents. [continues 532 words]
Don Miller's column "Illinois is going to pot..." does a great job of not voicing any opinion at all on the issue he writes about other than the pun of a title. He does not go into much detail about the pending Illinois legislation, Senate Bill 1381, and how it is different than California's law or how the medical cannabis laws are operating in the states other than California. He also mentions California's "original proponents" as if everyone in California who voted for Prop. 215 now regrets it, when that is simply not true, as evident in the popularity of medical cannabis in California. [continues 131 words]
After three Lake Zurich High School alumni died of heroin overdoses in the past 14 months, Lake Zurich mom Michelle Hines organized a forum about drug use in the community. Hines, who facilitates Willow Creek Community Church's Christian 12-Step Program, said the stories are so heartbreaking that she feels an urgent need to educate people about the dangerous drug that's become trendy in the suburbs. "When I found out about all the kids dying, I thought, 'Enough already.' Someone's got to do something. We've got to fight back," Hines said. "Heroin is in our town and kids are dying. If parents don't know it's here, then they can't educate their kids. We're doing the best we can to let them know." [continues 567 words]
I am a criminologist and professor of criminal justice. I have evaluated this topic (medical marijuana) considerably. One issue The Sun's article does not address: Cops may be against legalization -- not so much due to their being overwhelmed, but consider this -- what other crime does the law enforcement community make a profit from? With drugs (including marijuana), the police can take possession of all monies and associated properties and use them or auction them for the benefit of the agency. In times of short money supply, why would they want to give up their only source for this? Of course that is a bad argument from a public perception point of view so a supporting argument like it causes us problems will hold more sway for supporters of maintaining illegality. It seems this issue is more about money than rights health or liberties as guaranteed by the constitution. Palmyra [end]
The criticism leveled at the Illinois Department of Corrections' early release of prisoners threatens to tarnish the work at Illinois' Sheridan and Southwestern Illinois Correctional Centers, which are national models of substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation. These programs reduce recidivism and increase recovery from addictions. Key to their success is that supervision and rehabilitation continue after release from prison. Parolees go through step-down housing, community based treatment, employment training, job placement services, anger management and parole supervision. An evaluation of the Sheridan program demonstrated a 21 percent lower risk of re-arrest for a new crime than a comparison group of prisoners, and a 44 percent lower risk of returning to prison than other ex-inmates. In the clamor of these public policy debates, let's be careful not to undermine proven programs that treat addiction and protect public safety. - -- Bridget C. Kiely, administrator, Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities, Rockford [end]
Illinois needs to legally protect patients who use cannabis (marijuana) with the recommendation of their doctor. Ailing patients should not have to turn to the criminal element to seek relief; they need safe and legal access to medical cannabis. New Jersey just last month passed medical cannabis legislation legally protecting patients and Illinois needs to join the 14 states and District of Columbia in letting doctors recommend cannabis if they deem it appropriate for the patient suffering from a serious and debilitating condition. [continues 234 words]
As a former heroin user, Kathleen Kane-Willis said she remembered being afraid when she called 911 to report a drug overdose because she thought she might be arrested. Now a drug policy researcher at Roosevelt University, Ms. Kane-Willis is pushing to resurrect legislation that would help shield callers from prosecution when they seek medical attention for themselves or someone else who has overdosed. "No one should die because they are afraid to call 911," Ms. Kane-Willis said. State Representative Constance A. Howard, Democrat of Chicago, sponsored a bill in 2008 modeled after a New Mexico law that gave limited immunity to overdose victims and witnesses. The bill stalled in the House Rules Committee over concerns that it would conflict with the state's prosecution of cases involving drug-induced homicide. Other states have stymied similar legislation, but proponents in Illinois are not deterred. A new bill drafted by Steve Baker, the legislative liaison for the Cook County public defender's office, is under review by House Democratic aides. [end]
Local governor candidate Lex Green, Libertarian, is one of our own -- trying to rein in the runaway corrupt Illinois state government. We should support his struggle against tyranny. Lex is a unique candidate who will tirelessly protect individual liberties. Lex Green will work to end the Illinois income tax and destroy corporate welfare. Lex Green understands the dangers of prohibition and the failure of the "war on drugs." Lex Green will move to bring home the Illinois National Guard from Afghanistan and Iraq. If you are tired of the status quo, tired of being betrayed by your government, elect Lex. Stop thinking politics is for special people from prominent families. Everyday people make a candidacy like this possible. Help take our state back. Kyle Kidwell, Normal [end]
In just a short time, Illinois will decide if we will follow the 14 other compassionate states that have done the humane thing in allowing for the use of medical marijuana to ease the pain and suffering of the truly ill. Too many people have died in pain, and many have died due to side effects or overdose caused by drugs that were legally prescribed to help them. Two of my family members died of liver complications, in part from taking these legally prescribed medications. [continues 140 words]
The narc has a bark. Jacksonville High School students bringing narcotics to school after today will learn that. The Jacksonville Police Department plans Tuesday to unveil the newest tool in its fight against illicit drugs - Rocky, a child-friendly contender trained to sniff for drugs. The 19-month-old chocolate Labrador and its handler, District 117 school resource officer Dave Melbourne, will be in the hallways to greet students when they arrive for school. The dog will then make its debut during a ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the school, according to Superintendent Les Huddle. [continues 313 words]
Regarding Burt Constable's Jan. 7th column, while there have been studies showing that marijuana can shrink cancerous tumors, medical marijuana is essentially a palliative drug. If a doctor recommends marijuana to a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy and it helps them feel better, then it's working. In the end, medical marijuana is a quality of life decision best left to patients and their doctors. Drug warriors waging war on noncorporate drugs contend that organic marijuana is not an effective health intervention. Their prescribed intervention for medical marijuana patients is handcuffs, jail cells and criminal records. [continues 57 words]
Thirteen years ago, California became the first state to legalize the use of marijuana for "medical" purposes. Since that time, 13 additional states have legalized medical marijuana and 15 states, including Illinois, are now considering legalization. New Jersey voted last week to be the next state to legalize marijuana for medical conditions. In Illinois, a similar bill sponsored by Sen. Bill Haine has passed the Senate and has been sent to the House to be considered in the current session. The Obama administration recently announced a reversal of federal policy and states that it will no longer arrest medical marijuana users and suppliers as long as they conform to appropriate state laws and regulations. However, the administration says that it will still prosecute those who use marijuana as a cover for other illegal activity. [continues 407 words]
It is so good to know that we can rely on Burt Constable for a balanced opinion. More and more people are coming around to the understanding that medical marijuana is a grace for many who are suffering. For their sakes, I am grateful to Burt for bringing this issue into the light and, in effect, pleading for their relief. Margery Frisbie Arlington Heights [end]
"Marijuana is a gateway drug that leads people to using harder, more illicit drugs." I've heard this and the more I hear it the more I speak up about the need for our state to join the many other compassionate states allowing for the medical use of marijuana. When I have the chance to tell people my story or the stories of others who are in real physical pain, I agree with them that medical marijuana can be a gateway drug for me. It will allow me to stop using many of these powerful narcotics I currently must use for pain. OxyContin, Dilaudid, The Fentanyl patch and Lyrica, just to name a few. For me, I see it as a gateway back to life. Robert Day Huntley [end]
This letter is in response to the Dec. 18 article by Jamie Sotonoff entitled "Mother of suburban teen who died warns others." To the Editor, thank you for the story on the rising toll from heroin overdoses in the suburbs. I applaud the courage of Chrystal Beinlich, Lea Minalga, Mary Jo Capone, Jody Daitchman, and Michelle Hines, whose grief is inspiring them to speak out. Dr. Michael Born raised concerns about the safety of Narcan. As medical director of Chicago Recovery Alliance, I have seen absolutely no safety problems after having distributed Narcan to more than 15,000 people and received reports of more than 1,300 successful uses of Narcan in reversing overdose. [continues 177 words]
Comptroller Dan Hynes opposes medical marijuana for the sick and dying. Hynes opposes the sale of the Thomson prison to the federal government to remove another unaffordable prison albatross from the backs of Illinois taxpayers while stoking a misplaced fear that "Gitmoees" represent some special risk if caged at a maximum security prison in a little Podunk, Ill., river town, a "difficult issue" for Hynes. And Hynes opposes a reduction in Illinois' burgeoning 45,000-inmate population through an early release of nonviolent offenders program, despite a remarkable increase in Illinois' prison population during the drug-war era, ignoring a state fiscal reality that gobbles tax receipts faster than taxpayers can lay golden eggs. School funding, not prison funding, is the priority, Comptroller Hynes. Hynes' financial immaturity and fear-mongering just about has me sold on Gov. Pat Quinn. James E. Gierach Palos Park [end]
On election day in 2008, voters in Michigan approved their medical cannabis proposal, following 12 other states in allowing doctors to recommend cannabis for serious medical conditions. Also, it should be noted that in Michigan the initiative passed in every county. This should come as no surprise since polling on this issue shows consistent support for allowing sick people to use medical cannabis pursuant to the recommendation of a physician. However, Illinois does not have a ballot initiative process and we must get our medical cannabis bill passed into law through the legislative process. [continues 145 words]
Inside Illinois
