Import Temp

Governor Ignores Evidence and Vetoes Life-Saving Syringe Legislation

CA Remains One of 3 States that Doesn't Allow Pharmacies to Sell Syringes Without Prescription
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger tarnished his HIV prevention reputation by vetoing life-saving legislation that would help reduced the spread of HIV and hepatitis C and bring California in line with the rest of the country.
"Gov. Schwarzenegger has destroyed his legacy on HIV and hepatitis," said Laura Thomas of the Drug Policy Alliance. "His vetoes will lead to thousands of Californians contracting HIV and hepatitis C.
Laura Thomas at 415-283-6366 or Tommy McDonald at 510-229-5215

Draft Regulations for New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program Released

Advocates Decry Unnecessary Limits on Program
Patients and Families Say Program Will Not Provide Adequate Access to Medical Marijuana
Trenton, NJ— Today, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services released draft regulations to implement the state's Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. Advocates, patients and families were quick to decry unnecessary limits placed on the proposed medical marijuana program.
"It seems that the goal of the regulations is to provide the least amount of relief to the least number of patients," said Roseanne Scotti, Director of Drug Policy Alliance New Jersey which spearheaded the effort to pass the legislation.
Tony Newman at 646-335-5384 or Roseanne Scotti at 609-610-8243

Sacramento's Plan to Cut Corrections Called "Fake"

$1.1 Billion in Promised Cuts Won't Be Realized, Advocates Warn
SACRAMENTO – According to the details of the state budget deal released yesterday, Sacramento will cut $1.1 billion from the corrections budget. Advocates who have been pushing for cuts to the corrections budget cried foul, saying that the promised cuts – $820 million of which are to come from reductions in prison health care spending – lack any plausible basis and will not be realized.
"Putting prison cuts on paper doesn't make it true," said Margaret Dooley-Sammuli, deputy state director for the Drug Policy Alliance in Southern California.
Margaret Dooley-Sammuli at 213-291-4190 or Tommy McDonald at 510-229-5215

DPA Statement: RAND Study on Impact of Marijuana Legalization on Mexico Traffickers Misses Mark

Creating Any Lawful Market for Marijuana Hurts Cartels and Prop. 19 is Crucial Step Forward
The RAND Corporation released a study today claiming that Proposition 19, California 's initiative to control and tax marijuana, would not dramatically reduce drug revenues collected by Mexican drug trafficking from the sales to the United States.
Stephen Gutwillig at 323-542-2606 or Tony Newman at 646-335-5384

Assembly Votes to Cut Life-Saving Drug Treatment Provide Tax Breaks to Large Corporations

Senate President Objects to $25 Million Cut in Prop. 36 Spending
Prop. 36 Saves $2.50 Per $1 Invested; Cut Would Cost $62.5 Million

The California Assembly today reversed its agreement with the Senate to increase funding for community-based treatment for non-violent, low-level drug offenders, voting instead to cut current spending levels by $25 million. Advocates say the plan to cut funding to the life-saving and cost-effective program, in exchange for hefty tax breaks for large corporations, is a slap in the face of California voters. Prop.

Margaret Dooley at (213) 291 4190 or Dave Fratello at (310) 394-2952

Al Gore III Faces Up to Three Years in Prison for Drug Possession; Californians Favor Alternatives to Incarceration

CA Law Offers Treatment to 36,000 Nonviolent, Low-level Drug Offenders

Al Gore III, the 24-year-old son of the former vice president, is facing more than three years in prison for simple drug possession following an arrest in Southern California earlier this month. Advocates call for Gore to receive what most nonviolent, low-level drug offenders in California do--community-based treatment instead of incarceration under Prop. 36, passed by 61% of voters in 2000. The DA of Orange County will determine Gore's eligibility for the program in the next couple of weeks.

Margaret Dooley, Prop.

Margaret Dooley at (213) 291 4190 or Dave Fratello at (310) 394-2952

NY Poised to Become First State to Require Addiction Treatment Programs to be Smoke-free, Aimed at Helping Clients Quit Smoking

Treatment Advocates See New Rule as a Mixed Bag: Applaud Effort to Help Smokers Quit; Warn of Possible New Barriers to Treatment Created by Smoke-free Centers

New York Alcohol and Substance Abuse Service officials announced today a new rule that will require treatment centers to help their patients to quit smoking. The plan, which is slated to take effect next year, will require treatment centers to help patients quit smoking by offering nicotine replacement therapy, including nicotine gum and patches, to all smokers. For those lacking health insurance, the nicotine replacement therapy will be free of charge.

The treatment centers also will be required to be smoke-free. Smokers will be prohibited from smoking at the centers.

Tony Newman at (646)335-5384

Senate Republicans Propose Zeroing Out Funding for Voter-Enacted Drug Treatment Program

Prop. 36 Saves State $2.50 Per $1 Invested; Plan Would Shift Cost to Counties, Though Savings Accrue to State

SACRAMENTO, July 25 -- Senate Republicans today proposed ending state funding for drug treatment under Proposition 36--California's treatment-instead-of-incarceration law approved by 61% of voters in 2000--even though the program saves $2.50 for every $1 invested in it. Advocates criticize the Senate Republicans for attempting to override the will of the voters in back-room budget dealing.

Margaret Dooley, Prop.

Margaret Dooley at (213) 291 4190 or Dave Fratello at (310) 394-2952

House Government Reform Chairman Finds Evidence White House Used Taxpayer Money to Boost Votes for Republicans in November 2006

U.S. Drug Czar Campaigned on Behalf of Vulnerable Republicans, While Bush Increased Funding for the Agency

The Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has found evidence that the nation's drug czar and his deputies traveled to almost two dozen events with vulnerable Republican members of Congress in the months prior to the 2006 elections. The taxpayer-financed trips were orchestrated by President George W.

Tony Newman at (646) 335-5384 or Bill Piper at (202) 669-6430

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton Vows to End Federal Raids on Medical Marijuana Patients

Remarks Come on Eve of Vote in House of Representatives to Stop Bush Administration

During a presidential campaign stop in New Hampshire last Friday, Sen. Hilary Rodham Clinton pledged to end federal raids on medical marijuana patients. The pledge came in response to a question posed by Len Epstein, a volunteer for Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana (GSMM).

After telling Clinton, "Twelve states allow medical marijuana, but the Bush administration continues to raid patients," she responded, "Yes, I know.

Bill Piper at (202) 669-6430 or Tony Newman at (646) 335-5384
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