Drug Overdoses Deaths Increasing in Prisons
It seems we don’t already hear enough about drug overdose deaths, because new information about surprising and troubling statistics are seemingly in no short supply. Even in the prison system it seems drug overdose death is on a rampage, and in California inmates are dying of drug overdoses at nearly triple the national rate. Right . . . . Continue Reading
The Trouble with Analogue Laws and Synthetic Drugs
Synthetic drugs are man-made chemically laced substances that are designed to mimic the effects of other illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine. The difference between synthetic drugs and drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and meth are that synthetic drugs are often legal (at least for a while) and sold over the counter at some . . . . Continue Reading
Treatment Instead of Deportation for Immigrants Charged with Drug Crimes
In California, there has been a proposal made that would allow drug offenders to complete treatment and avoid entering a guilty plea. This latest effort is in line with the great strides California has been taking in recent months in order to keep nonviolent drug offenders out of the prison system. For instance, last November . . . . Continue Reading
Can Drunken Driving Become A Thing of the Past?
(This content is being used for illustrative purposes only; any person depicted in the content is a model) If every new car made in the United States had a built-in blood Breathalyzer-like device, preventing intoxicated drivers from driving, how many lives could be saved, injuries prevented, and injury-related health costs cut? The answer, according to . . . . Continue Reading
Virginia Approves Marijuana Oil Treatment for Epilepsy
Long before medical marijuana began gaining acceptance in the U.S. – and perhaps one of the main reasons behind its propulsion – comes the story of Charlotte’s Web. No, not the children’s story by E.B. White; the strain of cannabis that has been called a god-send for families with children suffering from a severe form . . . . Continue Reading
Sexism in the War on Drugs
“The staggering increase in the number of women in prison does not reflect larger numbers of women using drugs, but rather, changes in criminal sentencing.” When it comes to the so-called War on Drugs, it’s becoming generally-accepted that it has deep roots in racism: just look at how many people of color are in prison . . . . Continue Reading
Creative Social Rehabilitation: Covering Up Jailhouse Tattoos
(This content is being used for illustrative purposes only; any person depicted in the content is a model) Sometimes – many times – it’s the small things that can make the biggest difference. One group in Poland recognizes this and is doing something unconventional: helping former prisoners put their past behind them with a little . . . . Continue Reading
New York Senator Knows Weed Bill Won’t Pass but Pushes Anyway
One of the biggest topics getting any attention these days is the reforms and discussions that revolve around legalization of marijuana. Last November the supporters of medical and legalized marijuana showed up in full force to vote in the Midterm elections in some states. Several states have passed legislation to allow marijuana to become available . . . . Continue Reading
Why Some Cops Support Drug Legalization
You might be surprised to hear that there are police officers out there who actually support legalizing all drugs, not just marijuana. In light of just how much of a failure, and money pit, the war on drugs in this country has been, there are proponents of not only decriminalizing drugs but, making them legal. . . . . Continue Reading
Woman Challenges Wisconsin’s “Cocaine Mom” Law
A Wisconsin citizen, Sara Ainsworth plans to challenge the state’s so-called “Cocaine Mom” law, a 16-year-old law that allows authorities to detain and force pregnant women into treatment on suspicion of drug and alcohol abuse. She is filing a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Madison and is being supported by the National Advocates . . . . Continue Reading