HOT OFF THE 'NET

MEXICAN DRUG WAR VIOLENCE IS GOING OFF THE CHARTS

By Phillip S. Smith, DRCNet

Mexico's drug war has escalated to the level of increasing concern
among US policy and defense analysts.

http://drugsense.org/url/EhPsB13g

LORDS DEBATE ALTERNATIVES TO DRUG PROHIBITION

The House of Lords will be debated 'the United Nations Declaration on
countering the world drug problem', in the Main Chamber, January 21st
at 11am. The debate was led by Baroness Meacher (cross bench) who
called on the Government to follow the recommendation of the 2002
Home Affairs Select Committee to debate alternatives to prohibition
at the UN level at this year's upcoming 10 year review of UN drug
policy in Vienna.

http://drugsense.org/url/ngXHKZZF

OBAMA'S HIV FIX: SYRINGE EXCHANGE IS A MAJOR COMPONENT

By Allan Clear, AlterNet

Regardless of how one might feel about drug users, syringe exchange
is effective, is essential and there is momentum for change.

http://drugsense.org/url/QMAFzLZj

THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT IS BACK

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

By Barack Obama, President of the United States

http://narconews.com/Issue55/article3347.html

HEATH LEDGER'S TRAGIC OVERDOSE DEATH REMINDS US MORE MUST BE DONE

Health Ledger was nominated for a posthumous Oscar award today for
his haunting role as the Joker in the latest Batman film, The Dark
Knight. The announcement happens to coincide with the anniversary of
Heath Ledger's tragic overdose death last year in New York.

By Isaac Skelton and Meghan Ralston

http://drugsense.org/url/b1yobo1i

DRUG TRUTH NETWORK

Century of Lies - 01/20/09 - Beto O'Rourke

Beto O'Rourke, El Paso city councilman re call to consider
legalization & AMF Bush! : Keith Olberman + DTN Editorial

http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=node/2265

Cultural Baggage Radio Show - 01/21/09 - Ed Rosenthal

Ed Rosenthal & Dale Gieringer, Co-Authors of "Medical Marijuana
Handbook" + Terry Nelson of LEAP & a visit from Ray Hill of the Prison Show

http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=node/2266

CHAIRMAN'S CORNER

By Joseph A. Califano, Jr.

With the Inauguration of President Barack Obama, the rhetoric of
change echoes through the corridors of power in the nation's capital.
Nowhere is it more urgent or important to convert that rhetoric into
reality than in the area of substance abuse and addiction. And
nowhere would the return on investment of public funds be higher.

http://chairmanscorner.casacolumbia.org/?p=42

MARIJUANA INC - INSIDE AMERICA'S POT INDUSTRY

CNBC's Trish Regan goes behind the scenes to explore the inner
workings of this secretive industry, focusing on Northern
California's "Emerald Triangle," now the marijuana capital of the
U.S. In this scenic pocket of America, the pot business, much of it
legal under state law, now makes up as much as two-thirds of the local economy.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/28281668

WHAT YOU CAN DO THIS WEEK

FIRST MEDICAL MARIJUANA RAID BY DEA UNDER OBAMA ADMINISTRATION

Advocates call on president Obama to quickly change harmful, outdated policy.

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=5654

Tell President Obama to end medical marijuana raids.

http://drugsense.org/url/QK6Dnpha

GLOBAL DRUG WAR POSTER AND VIDEO CONTEST

The Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU) is looking for creative,
attention-grabbing and poignant images and videos that graphically
express the everyday reality and impact of the global drug war on
public health, public security and human rights.

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/568/HCLU_contest