FORUM 'CHALLENGES' WAR ON DRUGS

In the 1960s the Rev. James Lawson and the Rev. C.T. Vivian provoked and
inspired Nashville and the nation as they took part in the civil rights
movement. Next week they'll be in town for a special ceremony at the
Nashville Public Library.

In addition to looking back, they will look forward as to how the lessons
learned in the movement more than 30 years ago can be used now to fight
against what many view as a misguided ''war on drugs.''

They will speak at a public forum, ''Challenging the War on Drugs: A
Community Conversation'' from 9-11 a.m. Feb. 14 at American Baptist
College, 1800 Baptist World Center Drive.

''In many ways what's happening with current drug policy translates into
the new Jim Crow,'' said the Rev. Ed Sanders, coordinator of Religious
Leaders for a More Just and Compassionate Drug Policy. ''Jim Crow laws were
laws that were designed to control and oppress African-Americans in the
early part of the 20th century. They were discriminatory laws because they
had an impact upon African-Americans and people of color in a
disproportionate fashion.''

For example, Sanders said, the majority of drug use in the United States is
done by white people.

''If you look at persons who are arrested, prosecuted and incarcerated (for
drug use) the numbers are extremely skewed towards African-Americans and
Hispanics, but especially African-Americans. That's the way Jim Crow laws
were written.''

For more information, call Sanders at 726-3876. Religious Leaders for a
More Just and Compassionate Drug Policy is on the Web at
www.religiousleadersdrugpolicy.org.