IN MEMORIAM: DON TOPPING, DRUG POLICY FORUM OF HAWAII

Donald M. Topping, a founder of the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii and
strong advocate for medical marijuana, died June 29 at his home in
Manoa, Hawaii. The 73-year-old retired University of Hawaii
sociologist and linguistics professor died of colon cancer after a
15-year battle.

As cofounder of DPFHI, Topping became a prominent figure in Hawaii and
national drug policy circles, helping to lead the fight that led to
the state becoming the first to legalize medical marijuana through the
legislative process. That bill was signed into law by then Gov. Ben
Cayetano in December 2000. He also made frequent appearances in
newspaper stories and letters to the editor pages on various drug
reform topics in the Hawaii press. Topping's was a voice of sanity as
the state teetered on the edge of ice (smokeable methamphetime) hysteria.

Topping was an accomplished academic, working for 35 years as a
linguist, sociologist, and administrator at the University of Hawaii,
where he researched Micronesian languages and cultures. He wrote and
edited the Chamorro-English Dictionary and served as director for the
Pacific and Asian Linguistics Institute and the Social Science
Research Institute at the university.

It was as his academic career wound down -- he retired in 1997 -- when
his interest in drug reform most flourished. "His last work was his
favorite," his wife Priscilla told the Honolulu Observer. "He really
liked educating people about the dangers of drugs and telling them the
truth. "He's the kind of man who believed in the rights of the common
person," she said. He believed "everyone deserved to live in peace
and dignity, and no one should be left behind."

Though his primary affiliation in drug policy reform was the Drug
Policy Forum of Hawaii, Topping also was a prominent figure in the
national movement, among other things serving on DRCNet's Board of
Advisors. DRCNet executive director David Borden recounted that Don
was one of DRCNet's first members, joining in 1994 and remaining a
steadfast supporter right through 2003. Borden also recalled another
side of Don Topping, that of the jazz saxophonist; the two of them
performed jazz standards for conference-goers in the talent show
during the 2000 Drug Policy Foundation conference, Borden said.

Topping's drug reform passion and his medical situation ultimately
intersected. In the autumn 1998 issue of the Bulletin of the
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies
(http://www.maps.org/news-letters/v08n3/08322top.html), he published a
personal account of his experience with the visionary plant Ayahuasca,
and his use of it to battle the cancer that was overtaking him.
Though it's impossible to prove whether it was Ayahuasca that helped
Don beat back cancer, he did beat the odds over and over again,
surviving and thriving for several more years, without the surgery or
chemo his doctor believed were necessary for him to have even a slim
chance of lasting.

Don's ashes were scattered off his favorite surfing spot at Diamond
Head. Contributions in his name may be made to the Drug Policy Forum
of Hawaii (http://www.dpfhi.org), checks payable to Drug Policy Forum
of Hawai'i, P.O. Box 61233, Honolulu, HI 96839.