Back this week, fresh from the
New Directions New York conference joining together health service professionals, politicians, and advocacy groups. There were even some law enforcement people present - though they were definitely in the minority.
Most notable highlights, in no particular order:
Dana Diamond of Exponents, sharing her own personal story of tragedy and recovery. She works now to ensure that no one else ever has to wake up in a hospital with nothing but bad news, and no one to have for support.
The Chief Constable of West Vancouver, Kash Heed, giving a speech concerning law enforcement approached to drug policy. During the entire time, he had a display onscreen, stating simply, "You Can't Arrest Your Way Out Of This Problem!"
Pilar Maschi, of Critical Resistance, with a heartfelt talk about how she has been targeted by drug laws. She lives in fear of losing her child. Drug laws aren't designed to keep families together - they're racist, discriminatory, and ultimately an assault on the family. She soundly rejected the notion that only nonviolent "offenders" should receive treatment and help. She also blasted the labeling of people into the category of "offender," or "ex-con," etc.
The Speaker of the House for New York State, Sheldon Silver, stating that New York has to change its approach, citing Governor's Patterson State of the State address decrying Rockefeller Drug Laws as a shining example of the worst public policy to have survived for such a long time.
Thursday evening - a lively round of boos from the Critical Resistance People aimed at Martin Horn, the Prison Commissioner for New York. His statement? "When I say I don't want more prisons and prisoners, you all don't believe me, but I get paid the same whether I look over 5,000 prisoners or 10,000 - and I'd much rather look over less." Gabriel Sayegh, Director of State Organizing and Policy Project for DPA, played the role of peacekeeper, preventing further discord.
District Attorney David Soares, sitting on a public safety panel, citing the previous night's confrontation and instructing the crowd to throw vegetables at fellow panelist Terrance Wansley (100 Black Officers That Care) instead of himself.
Terrance Wansley, stating that everyone was welcome to throw vegetables at him, because he is a vegetarian and food is getting expensive.
CAMP: Citizens Against Marijuana Prohibition. A.K.A. their own worst enemy. These folks couldn't seem to understand that they were among sympathetic people, and instead of asking short questions (as per the format), instead introduced long, extensive commentaries/tirades concerning growing marijuana that wasted time, and breath. Their participation in the Q & A session just wasn't constructive (including trying to browbeat a sympathetic State Assemblyperson).
Ethan Nadelmann, at the closing plenary/straight-table discussion. After announcing Thursday night that he might be the most radical person at the table, he followed up the next day by setting himself on fire (again) blasting the folly of drug prohibition.
Jill Reeves of Voices of Community Activists and Leaders (VOCAL), stating that her only problem with her heroin use was that she couldn't get a regular supply of it, and that she liked heroin so much, she wished she could do it more often. Overheard in the crowd - "That's gangster!"
Naturally, this is just a sample of highlights. It was a tremendous effort, and the conference was an incredible experience. For those that missed out? -Either bad luck, or poor choice. Hope it was the former.
Posted by Malakkar Vohryzek