DRUG CONTROL POLICY CRITIC PROVES HIS POINT AT NORML CONFERENCE

LOS ANGELES -- Matthew Robinson, author of "Lies, damn lies and drug
war statistics: A critical analysis of claims made by the ONDCP,"
preached to the choir Saturday, presenting his case that's laid out
in his book.

Robinson was the featured speaker during the Saturday morning session
of the 2007 National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
conference in Los Angeles, where he discussed how the Office of
National Drug Control Policy uses questionable data presentation to
make it look as though the war on drugs is working.

"When drug use is up they say 'we having financial problems so we
need more money'," Robinson said. "They say the same thing when drug
use goes down."

He broke up his presentation with eight questions, including if the
drug war was balanced or not.

He pointed out that more than 60 percent of the drug war's budget
goes to law enforcement.

"To the ONDCP, this is balance," Robinson said. "And not only is the
drug war not balanced, it's continually becoming unbalanced under the
Bush administration."

Robinson's presentation was accompanied by slides of statistics,
where he showed the crowd the "selective presentation of statistics"
in ONDCP reports.

"They can't even make up their minds about how they're going to
collect data," Robinson said.

One of the questions Robinson looked into was whether the drug war
helps drug users with treatment, by again using questionable data in
their statistics. He said the report focussed on drug users.

"The drug war does not heal drug users," Robinson said. "Users don't
need treatment, abusers do," Robinson said.

He also touched on drug arrests.

"The burden on police is increasing every year," Robinson said.
"Twenty percent of all state inmates are in for drugs."

And, according to Robinson, the ONDCP manipulates statistics in this
category as well by saying Robinson inflated his numbers, but only
citing federal arrest numbers.

"Most people who get arrested are arrested are arrested by state and
local law enforcement," Robinson said.

Robinson also took on statements made by the ONDCP on that the war on
drugs is doing nothing to drive up prices of drugs. "We spend more
tax-payer dollars every year, and the stuff is getting cheaper," Robinson said.

Not only was the price of drugs worked into the presentation, but the
potency was as well.

"If it's true that the THC in marijuana is increasing does that mean
that the drug war makes better pot?" Robinson asked.

The remainder of the morning session was on upcoming marijuana
initiatives in various cities, counties and states.

The panel was chaired by NORML founder Keith Stroup, who pointed out
there is no national initiative process.

"So we don't have that option on a national level," Stroup said.

The conference's high point was Saturday night at the High Times
Magazine "Stony Awards" where the most cannabis-friendly
entertainers, movies and shows are honored with, not a statue, but a bong.

Today, the NORML Legal Committee is holding its medical marijuana
seminar with topics like how to work with local governments and
"Federal considerations."

Every seminar and panel during the conference will be available on
YouTube.com within the week, according to NORML officials.