Name all the reasons why the War on Drugs is bad

I just came back from the International Drug Policy Reform Conference in Denver, Colorado. Of course I am going to write on it, but I am super-busy with school and other stuff at the moment (including writing twenty-five pages of a play for a class in six days).

So to not hang y'all up for too long, I'm giving you an activity to do...

In the comments, name a reason why the Drug War is bad. If you can, please give us a detailed description on why.

Sure, not too long ago (more accurately, two posts ago), I wrote "Why ending the War on Drugs is so important to me," but I realized (and it's not like expected to remember all of the reasons) that I'm still missing a lot. You can use that post for a bit of reference (and maybe some other drug-related ones I've written).

Comment why you want drug legalization, reply to other people, debate, etc., as long as it's respectful.

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Bellingham Riot - Saturday 10/12/13

*This may be edited a couple of times because of new information

I was on Facebook last night, and started noticing a couple of posts about a riot, but I didn't think too much about it until more and more people were posting about it, and I saw comments about tear gas, SWAT team, etc.

When I came on Facebook this morning, my newsfeed was filled with riot posts (and became even more so when I kept on liking, commenting, clicking on those riot-related statuses, videos, and articles).

Here is what happened (according to The Western Front):

• There was a riot "on Indian Street near Laurel Park"
• "Police in riot gear used pepper balls, smoke and flash grenades"
• "Hundreds of students gathered on the street were seen throwing beer bottles at passing Whatcom Transportation Authority buses and cars around 10:30 p.m., police said" - I've seen several people on Facebook say how they witnessed that happening
• "People started throwing glass bottles beer, cans, and lawn chairs at police cars"
• "Multiple street signs were pulled from the ground and thrown into the street" - I also saw many people post about uprooted stop signs on Facebook
• A little after 11 was when police start releasing smoke grenades, etc. 
• "The riot began after police broke up a large party on Jersey Street and Chestnut Street, (Lt. Mike) Johnson said"

EDIT: The Western Front posted a more complete story of the incident. Supposedly, Lt. Johnson said that no tear gas or sand bags were used, despite several witnesses' accounts stating otherwise. Most of the area was cleared out after midnight.

The Bellingham Herald took photographs of the scene.

EDIT: Even the Associated Press covered this incident.

WWU President Bruce Shepard and AS President Carly Roberts released a statement about the happenings of last night.

I find it interesting that the first three arrests were not Western students.

According to that statement, it was Western students who started cleaning up afterwards. Thankfully, I had known of that fact from being on Facebook and seeing people post about it.

This video was the first of the ones I have watched. It is seven minutes long and is from a spectator's point of view. Even at the very beginning, one of the first things you will notice is how much and how often glass is being thrown. At the end, you see a girl choking on tear gas.




This video is shorter, but you see it from a different perspective - as in I mean just from another spectator who is watching it from a different angle.

Here is a list of multiple claims I have seen on Facebook, and because many people said they witnessed these things happen, I can assume they're true, but maybe not:

• Panic lights went off on campus (panic buttons being pushed all over on WWU's campus)
• Someone at the riot was punched in the face
• The Greencoats and RAs on campus were in all the buildings on the campus (whatever that means)
• One of the parties was supposedly originally a Facebook event disguised as a birthday party and went viral, and the host of the event canceled it a half hour prior to it beginning
• Supposedly there were two main parties that were busted that contributed most to the riot (a lot of accounts of this)
• Police busted a party that was under control and threatened tickets to people who didn't leave
• Some of the party-goers were mad and recruited people from other parties to start the riot
• Police tear gassed, etc. some innocent bystanders, whether they were spectating or just walking by (multiple claims of this happening)
• Spectators were told to disperse after a while or else they would be ticketed

First off,  police don't just bust parties for no reason. Usually it is a noise complaint from a neighbor that causes the police to do so. I also learned that the police will bust parties if they notice people around the house are heavily intoxicated, so they bust the party for the drunkards' (and others') safety.

Katherine Hales posted this one lovely comment on Facebook that reiterates how I feel about this issue (used with permission):

"If police were called the block party was not completely under control... cops don't show up at quiet get-togethers and start handing out tickets. Also from what I've heard there was a lot of underage drinking going on. Which is a very legitimate reason for busting a block party. It really bothers me when students in Bellingham complain about the police as though they're being oppressed or something. Bellingham has very nice cops and students are often way too loud and disrespectful for the residential areas they're living in. Sometimes college students need to be reminded that they're not the only people int he city... they're just the loudest. And being loud in public spaces late at night is not a right, it's just annoying."

Here is someone, who has asked to remain anonymous, on his/her experience with the riot last night:

"My friend and I were out for a walk, and we were asking people what happened. Apparently there was a "block party" on Jersey street, and a party at 1000 Indian. I was told the party was busted and some people decided they didn't want to be finished partying, so they began throwing beer bottles at the cop cars. Tear gas was used to get people to leave. There was broken glass everywhere and I almost tripped over an uprooted stop sign. I have never seen so many cop cars in my life. Apparently Bellingham also has a swat team, because they were there too. At one point they started telling people they would use chemical weapons and send people to jail if they kept standing outside and watching. I'm not entirely sure why people would think they're entitled to behave this way, but there you have it."

This witness also noted: "My friend of mine and I left after the cops told us to. Spectating doesn't excuse you from being a part of the problem."

Here is another video - it's pretty action-filled for three minutes, and includes an interview.



This video is after things have calmed down and shows images of the police and SWAT team.



EDIT: Rebecca Ortega sent me a link to her account of the riot, which I think y'all should check out.

EDIT: Check out this photo of the riot...let me warn you, it's entitled "riot twerking....at it's finest" - don't blame me for the bad grammar. The Daily Mail even covered the riot, and for some reason, the photo is highlighted. Geez, I feel like I'm more of a journalist than all of these others news outlets who are covering this.

EDIT: More pictures.

On the Western Washington Confessions Facebook page, someone posted this:

#1939 Obviously us freshmen started a project x riot. It was badass. Sorry you upperclassman are pussies that can't keep up. Fuck the police!! CLASS OF 2017 BITCHES

If this is not a troll...then I am concerned for the future of humanity (well, I was already, but even more so now).

I need to say that if anyone here is blaming the freshmen for the riot - you are just as much as a fucktard as anyone else in the state or the country who is blaming WWU students as a whole for the riot. There are many freshmen commenting that they would never have been a part of something like that, and for upperclassmen to please not judge the entire class of 2017 for what a few idiots did. I agree with them.

I saw this Tweet get backlash from those who think they are just trying to profit from the riot. Personally, I see nothing wrong with it. I do hope that those who are dumb enough to be a part of the riot are at least smart enough to get a lawyer. As for using the riot as a means of personal gain...why aren't these same people blaming The Western Front and The Bellingham Herald for their immediate responses to this incidence? Sure, maybe it's too educate those who don't know what went down and want to learn more. Couldn't they have waited until their normal publication dates to tell of these happenings, and teach patience to those who need the information now? How about those posting videos of what happened to their Youtube pages? Heck, why do you think I am writing about this?

Finally, the police.

I'm a libertarian, I am not supposed to be a fan of the police.

Personally, however, I am suspicious of the police, but I understand that there are good police officers. There has been a little bit of a debate whether or not what they did last night was police brutality, the arguments going more in favor to those who believe it was not.

From what I saw people posting about and on the videos, it seems they had justifiable cause to tear gas, etc. the rioters.

Many people complained how they were just walking by or observing and were also tear gassed, etc. I have no idea if this was after the fact the police stated that the crowds needed to disperse. This action is not one I condone, but overall, I think their reactions to the riot was acceptable.

What I am most worried about is that when investigators view the videos of the riot, they might arrest innocent bystanders whose faces were caught on camera.

A lot of people want those who were in the riot to be expelled. I find this to be a knee-jerk reaction. Whatever is already within school code is what should be implemented to these students - whether it be a fine, suspension, expulsion, etc., so be it.

Let's not blame the city of Bellingham, the local police, the students of Western Washington University, or the freshmen for the destructive actions and behaviors at the riot. I am embarrassed for the school because of the aftermath of this event, but I am not ashamed of being a Viking. Instead of trying to place blame on an entire group of people, let's laud those who try to uphold the values of the school, and especially to the students and other members of the community who cleaned up afterwards.

Please comment if you have stories, opinions, etc. that you want to share.

EDIT: Here is a petition by the school for you to sign if you are against the happenings of last night.

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Why ending the War on Drugs is so important to me

If someone had shown staunchly conservative Republican me a glimpse into the future of the ultra-liberal school I would be attending in a couple of years, I would have dropped dead right there. Yes, I have come a looooong way.

I was very much into keeping drugs illegal...amongst other things.

I hated associating with people who I knew did drugs, and that was a lot of people because I went to a wealthy school.

To be totally honest, I have no idea how I came to my current feelings about drugs from what I used to think. I don't do drugs, and I don't hang out much with people who do drugs (not intentional, but I guess it's because people subconsciously seek out companions who are similar to themselves). My hypothesis is that I realized that people who do drugs, for the most part, are just normal people. Then maybe it developed more when I began identifying myself more and more as a libertarian.

It's kind of like trying to explain how I became an environmentalist or even got interested in politics in the first place...I have theories, but I sure as hell don't even know how that all started.

When I became a libertarian, the president of the Western Libertarians, and finally, especially, the president of WWU Students for Sensible Drug Policy, people would think my choice was funny because I don't do drugs. I don't even smoke marijuana.

I'll sometimes be talking with a friend, and the fact that I'm either the president of WWU SSDP or a drug policy activist in general will come up, and my friend will tell me how he or she also believes in legalizing drugs. I will then tell them about the club and ask them if they're interested in coming to meetings. Sadly, one of the most common replies is, "Sorry, I don't think I'm interested in really becoming involved. I don't do drugs."

Well, I don't do drugs either.

Others ask me why I'm so passionate about this issue when I don't do drugs. Sure, I am a big believer in personal freedoms. If you want to smoke crack, inject meth, etc., it's none of my business, unless you are planning on negatively affecting a third party. But why is the War on Drugs one of the biggest things I'm concerned about? (The other things being unnecessary military intervention and climate change.)

If the only concern dealing with the War on Drugs was only about personal freedoms, then it wouldn't be so high on my priority list.

Fortunately, DrugPolicy.org lists amost all of the reasons why I am so passionate about this subject on its "Drug War Statistics" page.

"Amount spent annually in the U.S. on the war on drugs: More than $51,000,000,000"

Cost is another reason. This is one reason why I can't believe most Republicans are resistant to legalization. Not only less government, but it would cut spending. What should I expect though? That's hypocrisy for ya.

"Tax revenue that drug legalization would yield annually, if currently-illegal drugs were taxed at rates comparable to those on alcohol and tobacco: $46.7 billion"

"Estimated annual revenue that California would raise if it taxed and regulated the sale of marijuana: $1,400,000,000"

C'mon Republicans, think of all the debt that would pay off! Democrats, think of all the social services that could pay for!

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that syringe access programs lower HIV incidence who inject drugs by: 80 percent"

"One-third of all AIDS cases in the U.S. have been caused by syringe sharing: 354,000 people"

For some reason, I wasn't aware of this issue until a few weeks ago. Please don't say, "it's their fault for getting AIDS because of their drug use." Supposedly needle-sharing happens a lot more when the government is more strict since users are afraid of getting clean ones because of fear of being arrested.

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"Fraction of people incarcerated for a drug offense in state prison that are black or Hispanic, although these groups use and sell drugs at similar rates as whites: 2/3"

This is one of the huge reasons why I am a big advocate for legalization. Keep in mind that the U.S. is dominated by white people. I don't like resorting to emotions or name-calling, but if you support keeping drugs illegal, you should carry a sign on you that has the word "RACIST" in neon lights. I guess you could also choose "IGNORANT" or plain "STUPID."

"Number of people arrested for a marijuana law violation in 2012: 749,825

• Number of those charged with marijuana law violations who were arrested for possession only: 658,231 (88 percent)"

"Number of Americans incarcerated in 2011 in federal, state and local prisons and jails: 2,266,800 or 1 in every 99.1 adults, the highest incarceration rate in the world"

"Number of students who have lost federal financial aid eligibility because of a drug conviction: 200,000+"

Students lose their financial aid if they are caught with any drug. I've read a lot of stories about cops who witness nonviolent marijuana smokers sometimes being in jail for longer than rapists and murderers are. Don't even get me started on our prison system. I think Family Guy's "Dial Meg for Murder" did a great job illustrating this. People's lives are ruined after going through all of this - number of years lost, trouble with finding jobs, going to a school that will accept them, etc.

"Number of people killed in Mexico's drug war since 2006: 70,000+"

This is the number one reason why this is a huge deal to me. There is so much gang violence, which of course results in death, even for innocent civilians, because of the War on Drugs. What if I told you that drug cartels are the ones helping to make sure that drugs remain illegal? I seriously can't get why anybody would still be not for legalizing drugs after learning about this. If you're dumb enough, you can tell me that all of these people are dying - being murdered, caught in crossfire, etc. - for other reasons. I really think, literally, if someone was to tell me they are still for upholding our current drug policy after reading or hearing this fact, I would start tearing up. I'm actually getting a bit emotional right now...

Other reasons why I'm for legalization:

Prohibition doesn't work.

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Like I mentioned briefly in my Hempfest post, a store owner from D.C. was telling the audience how there was a synthetic substitute for marijuana that the police force and military would want to buy from his place. In this video, Milton Friedman claims that crack cocaine would not have existed if it weren't for drug prohibition. There are many substances out there that are legal, which were made to be a substitute for banned drugs.

Without regulation, who knows what the hell dealers and other people are putting into the drugs, possibly increasing the likelihood of sickness and death.

You know what I find "funny?" When people list some of these reasons for why they are against marijuana prohibition, but then won't even consider legalizing other drugs. I'll save that rant for another post.

Marijuana and MDMA have been found to have medicinal benefits. If people should choose to use those to help heal whatever they have, they should have the right to do so.

So yes, now you know why I have become an activist. I can't morally ignore policies that send people away to jail for something that doesn't harm others, is racially-discriminating, and is the cause of tens of thousands of deaths.

Hopefully, you can, if you haven't already, educate yourself on why the drug war is not working and what we can do to finally end this prohibition and all the grief it causes.

I didn't go too much into detail for a reason. I want you to look at the reports and studies for yourself. Here are some useful links:

http://stopthedrugwar.org/

http://norml.org/

http://ssdp.org/

http://www.drugpolicy.org/

One thing I can't understand is how people can just ignore this issue as if it doesn't pertain to them. I guess it goes for pretty much every issue out there. Sure, I am an environmentalist, but I can very easily list off people who are more into that sort of activism than I am. I've come to realize that what makes me angry is when people say, "I do believe in legalization, but I don't want to get involved because I don't do drugs." It's a misunderstanding happening here - if you are involved with drug policy activism, then it must mean you do drugs. Let's get more people out there who are willing to show their faces to the world and say, "I don't participate in any drug activity, but I want to educate others on what all the War on Drugs has done to innocent people and get the government to finally end prohibition after decades of needlessly pursuing nonviolent users."

If you have any questions to ask, more useful websites for people to check out, etc., please comment.

EDIT: Check out this post - and add to the conversation!

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The importance of cultural relativism

One of the first things you will learn in a class are definitions. How can you study psychology without knowing what is is?

In anthropology, some of the first words we will learn are "ethnography" and "archaeology." Another important term is "cultural relativism."

Cultural relativism is understanding a culture from within that culture.

For example, we can view the hijras of India as weird, gay men who dress like chicks. However, using cultural relativism, we can understand that hijras are a third gender, born male, that follow their spiritual path and take on more feminine characteristics, such as their means of dress.

Let's make this more relatable to us Americans. We like going to Europe. Ya know, study abroad trips, cruises, skiing, sightseeing, etc.

One of the countries we like to go to is Italy. When my older sister went to Italy, she said Italian guys would come up to her and her female friends and pushingly ask, "Number? Number?" Because 'Murican girls ain't easy at all. American tourists also have a bad reputation in a number of countries for their wild behavior.

Is this thanks to only a few Americans *coughJerseyShorecough* ? Or do we all like to party and sleep around when on vacation?

Let's say that Italy is trying to come up with a reason why all Americans are slutty and messy. They agree with this: Americans act that way because they think they can trample over every other country because they have the biggest and most wide-spread military.

What do the Italians do? They make it illegal for American tourists to come visit their country until the US cuts their military by one-third.

I'm not sure if this even makes sense - too sleepy. I have been  so busy with school lately, and that's why I haven't posted anything for a while. Anywho...

You see what I'm trying to say here? (If you don't, then just bear with me!) They're basing their assumptions on what they witness in their country. They didn't send sociologists to America to study the Americans. With the incorrect information - interpretation - of what causes an action or behavior, your "solution" may not do anything positive, or may even make things worse.

A few weeks ago, I came across this article.

While it is horrible for ten-year-old girls to be married off to older men, or at all, and while I don't agree with marriages that happen with children this young...the reactions to this are just plain stupid and ignorant.

Take this comment (while ignoring the spelling and grammatical errors):

"What kind of man has sex with a child??? There is no room for argument here; neither religious or otherwise. Everyone knows a child, and a 10 year old girl plays with dolls. And a 16 years girl is still a girl. A woman is developed with age and education and is mature. These men are pedephiles."

STUPID ALERT!

First off, the whole "10 year old girl plays with dolls" is very culturally-subjective. In some places, children as young as six have to take on adult roles. That's not really related to this though.

I saw people compare arranged marriage to slavery. That is almost never the case. Arranged marriages have been happening way before people started marrying for love. If this is slavery, then who are the slavemasters? The parents (who were probably arranged themselves)? The husband (especially if he is older)? I'm taking this a little personally because my mom's parents' marriage was arranged.

One person said that a dowry is a bribe. Just no.

Keep in mind, I am not speaking as if this were to all of a sudden be implemented in America.

In one of my anthropology classes, we watched a movie from India where this young girl is married off to a boy who is  a few years older. She befriends her husband's brother's wife, who is a bit older too. Spoiler alert...the stepsister dies from childbirth - she was too young.

That is the real concern here. The point of that movie was to get people in certain regions of India to realize that marrying off their daughters at a young age is dangerous.

However, angry reactions to this article talk about how marriage is slavery. Slavery is immoral. We have to do all that we can to stop it. Why isn't it that the fact the young girls die from marrying too young the real concern? Jeez people, think for once.

Now let's answer the most important question here - why is it that an older man is marrying a younger girl? One reason could be is that his wife died and there are no other females closer to his age. The more logical reason is that he has the means to take care of the girl. Yes, you have just read that. Read it again.

The girls' families care about their daughters. Not in the way they care about their sons, but it's still a strong bond. An older man is more likely to have the money needed to look after her and raise a family.

Hopefully you have now understood this from an emic perspective.

What do we do about this problem?

Do we send in Team America to save the day? and then piss off the countries' residents by trying to enforce our laws on them?

How about this: we educate the populace of those regions that partake in young marriages about the dangers of it and help make it easier for women to get an education.

Saying, "We are Americans. This thing you do is wrong. Let us stand in your way." without any real explanation is not the solution.

EDIT

I found this video that explores young marriage a little bit more. However, I don't really like how it completely vilifies the fathers because like I mentioned before; they also marry off the daughters so that the daughters themselves can be taken care of. I also don't like the solution the videos poses by amending the constitution. First, they need to help lift those people out of poverty somehow because even if the family can't marry off their daughters for dowry, they're still poor and can barely provide for their families. Yes, this video contains ignorant comments such as "these guys are PEDOPHILES" - you've been warned. Use your new understanding of cultural relativism to get a better sense of what is going on in this situation.

 

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