Washington voters have an opportunity to end decades of harm caused by marijuana prohibition. Study after study has confirmed that marijuana is safer than alcohol, healthier than tobacco. Yet we have arrested tens of thousands of Washingtonians for nonviolent, small-quantity marijuana offenses. Initiative 502 would legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana for adults 21 and over. I-502 does not promote marijuana use. Its aim is a different, far more promising approach to its control. The initiative preserves tough penalties for furnishing to minors, and for driving under the influence. [continues 76 words]
On Thursday, July 13th, 2006 at 10:00 am hundreds of local residents gathered to remember the lives of three Pleasure Island youth who we lost last year due to drugs. The memorial service was held at the public beach access located at Hamlet Avenue in Carolina Beach. It is at this location that the Town of Carolina Beach and the Adopt-a-Beach Program placed a sign dedicated to the three beautiful young men. The Adopt-a-Beach sign is sponsored by Nicole, Alisha, Judy, Cindy, Jerri, and Jack. It reads "In Loving Memory Of: Levi Jordan Catlett DOB 12-11-87 DOD 05-07-05, John Christian Moore DOB 4-10-78 DOD 03-22-05, and Justin Lee Kelly DOB 3-21-84 DOD 7-13-05. At the bottom of the sign is the number for Coastal Horizons Crisis Line (1-800-672-2903). [continues 1077 words]
Fund Assists Nearly Four Million Crime Victims Nationwide RALEIGH -- Attorney General Roy Cooper joined fellow attorneys general from 51 other states and territories April 28, to urge Congress not to slash more than $1.4 billion from programs that fight crime and help crime victims. "Law enforcement battling crime and drugs in communities across our state and country need more help, not less," said Cooper. "And crime victims and their families will suffer again if these cuts go through, cuts to programs that require criminals to pay to alleviate some of the hurt they've caused." [continues 353 words]
Across the nation, plans are well under way for September's 16th annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, which is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA). According to SAMHSA, this year's theme is "Join the Voices for Recovery: Healing Lives, Families, and Communities," which celebrates the positive impact of treating alcohol and drug use in communities. Recovery Month observance highlights the societal benefits of substance abuse treatment, lauds the contributions of treatment providers, and promotes the message that recovery from substance abuse in all its forms is possible. Each September, thousands of treatment programs around the country celebrate their successes and share them with their neighbors, friends, and colleagues in an effort to educate the public about treatment, how it works, for whom, and why. [continues 397 words]
