NORML TO HOST EVENT PROMOTING DRUG AWARENESS

The UTK chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana
Laws will host an event titled "Evict the DEA" today from noon until 1:30
p.m. at 800 Market St.

The event is part of a coordinated nationwide effort to promote awareness of
the benefits of medical marijuana.

"The main goal is to educate people about medical marijuana and the (Drug
Enforcement Agency's) policies toward it," said Rachel Sewell Nesteruk,
NORML UTK secretary. "Eight states and the District of Columbia have voted
to protect patients suffering from things like AIDS and cancer from
prosecution for the use of medical marijuana, but the DEA continues to
target these users."

Although the event is not a protest, its location is symbolic. The DEA's
field office is located in the 800 Market St. building.

"We don't want to create a hassle for the public and we don't want to get
arrested for blocking public offices, but we do want to make people aware,"
Nesteruk said.

The event will include a discussion of current policies toward medical
marijuana, as well as displays from NORML and the event's co-sponsor
Americans for Safe Access, a group pushing for the reform of medical
marijuana laws. More information about ASA can be found at its Web site,
www.safeaccessnow.org.

"NORML actually has a three-fold goal," Nesteruk said. "We're working to
legalize industrial hemp for commercial uses, as well as legalizing
marijuana for medical use as well as for private use by adults."

Although NORML's UTK chapter consists primarily of students, members urge
anyone in the area interested in these issues to attend because they are the
only branch of the organization in East Tennessee.

More information about NORML can be found at the group's Web site,
www.norml.org. For information about the UTK chapter contact Nesteruk at
naturegrrl@comcast.net. NORML meets on Mondays at 4:20 p.m. in the
University Center.