National stats:
- Quotes from Richard Nixon:
- “At least with liquor I don’t lose motivation.”
- “I see another thing in the news summary this morning about it. That’s a funny thing, every one of the bastards that are out for legalizing marijuana is Jewish. What the Christ is the matter with the Jews, Bob, what is the matter with them? I suppose it’s because most of them are psychiatrists.”
- “You have to face the fact that the whole problem is really the blacks. The key is to devise a system that recognizes this all while not appearing to.
- “Soft-headed psychiatrists who work in places like NIMH (National Institute for Mental Health) favor marijuana because they’re probably all on the stuff themselves.”
- “You see, homosexuality, dope, immorality in general. These are the enemies of strong societies. That’s why the Communists and the left-wingers are pushing the stuff, they’re trying to destroy us.”
- Quotes from Harry J. Anslinger (1892-1975) Assistant Prohibition Commissioner in the Bureau of Prohibition and first Commissioner of the Treasury Department's Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) (1930-1962). The FBN was the precursor of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
- “...the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races.”
- “Marihuana leads to pacifism and communist brainwashing.”
- “There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana usage. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others.”
- “Reefer makes darkies think they're as good as white men.”
- “Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind.”
- “You smoke a joint and you're likely to kill your brother.”
- “Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death.”
Source: http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca
- Nearly forty years ago Richard Nixon formed the National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse hoping to use the Commission’s recommendations to support his drug war initiative. However, the Commission actually recommended the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana. Commission chairman James P. Shaffer concluded, "[T]he criminal law is too harsh a tool to apply to personal possession even in the effort to discourage use. It implies an overwhelming indictment of the behavior which we believe is not appropriate. The actual and potential harm of use of the drug is not great enough to justify intrusion by the criminal law into private behavior, a step which our society takes only 'with the greatest reluctance." Nixon ignored the Commission’s recommendation and proceeded with his drug war.
- The United States has the highest prison population rate in the history of the world. More than one in 100 adults in the United States is in jail or prison, an all-time high that is costing state governments nearly $50 billion each year and the federal government $5 billion more.
With more than 2.3 million people behind bars, the United States leads the world in both the number and percentage of residents it incarcerates, leaving far-more-populous China a distant second, according to a study by the nonpartisan Pew Center on the United States.
Minorities have been particularly affected: One in nine black men ages 20 to 34 is behind bars. For black women ages 25 to 39, the figure is one in 100, compared with one in 355 for white women in the same age group.
- Although people may think drug policies capture drug smugglers and 'King Pins’, in 2005 42.6 percent of all drug arrests were for marijuana offenses, and arrests for marijuana possession accounted for 79% of the growth in drug arrests in the 1990s.
- Among all drug users in the U.S., whites constitute 75 percent and blacks constitute 13.5 percent. (All races use illegal substances at remarkably similar rates.) However, blacks comprise 75 percent of all people in state and federal prisons for drug violations.
- Today in America, black men are incarcerated at seven times the rate of black South African males at the height of Apartheid in South Africa.
State of Texas (as of August 2008):
- 697,537 persons in prison, on probation, parole or under supervision;
- 156,126 people in prison or jail;
- 26,111 drug offenses led all new TDCJ admissions;
- One-third of parole revocations were for drug offenses.
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Discussion Groups
Our drug policy is a problem. Can’t we talk about it? MATV’s Drug Policy Discussion groups facilitate the exchange of information and encourage individuals to develop informed opinions about the issue. Contact Us for meeting dates and times.
House Party with a Purpose
MATV’s house parties are a fun-filled way to get people together and learn about drug policy. Guests not only have a good time, but they also appreciate receiving valuable information about an issue that seldom receives balanced coverage in the media. There is no hard selling. We offer “opportunities” and privileges”. We also play a game that graphically illustrates the impact of the drug war on certain communities. And party guests respond enthusiastically.
The host invites guests, and serves light refreshments…We do the rest.
If you would like to host a house party, click on Contact Us and let us know.
The Councils
MATV’s three drug policy councils focus on Prevention; Public Health: and Criminal Justice. Each council is composed of leading professionals, educators, activists and students who bring research, analysis, best practices and legislative action to the drug policy conversation. Councils may convene town hall meetings and other public forums and engage the media to facilitate public education and advocacy for reform.
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