Daily Archives: October 15, 2022

How the War on Drugs failed Democracy and society – IPS Journal

Posted: October 15, 2022 at 5:32 pm

Once again, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has succeeded in provoking and infuriating his bitter opponents at home and abroad while getting his supporters to break out in cheers. This time, his 20-minute speech to the plenary session of the 77th United Nations General Debate in New York aroused excitement, enthusiasm, rejection, and diverse interpretations both in Colombia and other countries.

No head of state from the worlds largest cocaine-growing country has ever outlined the connection between comprehensive nature and climate protection and a new, different drug policy to the global community as clearly as Petro did on 20 September 2022. This is how, Gustavo Petro, who was sworn into office just a few weeks ago, created a link between Colombias home-grown challenges and the need for regional and international cooperation to address both of these major issues in a sustainable manner. The speech also drew much attention because Petro called oil and coal mining a greater threat to humanity than coca cultivation.

Petros opponents from the right wing and conservative camp describe his statements as demagogic and dangerous, and brand them as populist. They accuse him of wanting to turn Colombia into a narcoestado (a drug state), in which Petro allegedly wants to unilaterally legalise cocaine. Meanwhile they disregard the fact that despite the billions of dollars that the United States has invested in Colombias special police forces, there has been little success in the fight against the organised drug trafficking groups and their ability to penetrate and corrupt politics, the economy, and society.

More clearly than his predecessor, Nobel Peace Prize winner Juan Manuel Santos (in office from 2010 to 2018), Petro described the War on Drugs declared by then US President Richard Nixon in 1972 - more than 50 years - as a failure. The Colombian President also held the international community, under the leadership of the US government, responsible for this disaster: more than a million Latin American women killed and more than two million African Americans imprisoned are clear signs of the madness of a destructive capitalism, whose only strategy in the face of drug use is prohibition, said Petro.

What Petro does not elaborate on here, but what many experts and representatives of non-governmental organisations agree on, is that there is no human society without the use of intoxicants. Moreover, it is hardly conceivable that this will be the case in the future. Therefore, according to the results of numerous studies, less importance should be placed on prohibiting and criminalising the consumption of substances previously classified as illegal, and more on their safe and regulated use.

Only through clear state regulation (and not through legalisation!) can the power of criminal drug trafficking organisations be limited.

Even if the road to a new drug policy respecting the human rights of farmers, producers and consumers will be neither easy nor quick, the fact that the discussion started by Petro in Colombia is moving in this direction makes the importance and scope of his words explicit: only through clear state regulation (and not through legalisation!) can the power of criminal drug trafficking organisations be limited, the violence associated with drug trafficking be reduced, and problem drug use placed at the centre of public health.

In his speech, Petro also showed how much the war on drugs is also preventing climate protection. Addressing the UN, he called for a halt to the widespread use of the pathogenic pesticide glyphosate against coca plants and marijuana as soon as possible. Its continued use would only contribute to further environmental degradation, continued biodiversity loss, and the perpetuation of violence in Colombia. The failed policies of the past decades have had a negative impact on the livelihoods of millions of farmers.

As a solution, the President proposed an international pact to save the unique ecosystem of the Amazon. To do this, the foreign debts of Latin American countries would have to be reduced, and Colombia and the other Amazon countries should receive USD 1bn annually over the next 20 years via an internationally controlled fund. The funds would be used to protect the rainforest from further deforestation and illegal mining and thus make an important contribution to global climate security. According to observers, this sum seems entirely justified and by no means too high: between 2000 and 2016 the United States alone pumped around USD 10 bn into strengthening the Colombian security apparatus again, without any significant success.

After this speech, it is clear that Gustavo Petro is aiming for a fundamental change in the current impasse: only if the drug trade is decoupled from the dynamics of violence can Colombia and Latin America become stable and their communities develop peacefully. This requires alliances both within society and between countries. However, Petro or Colombia will not be able to achieve this alone.

The Colombian President is relying on well-known studies by the scientific community and non-governmental organisations, as well as the representatives of indigenous communities. For decades they have emphasised that prohibition measures neither prevent the cultivation and trafficking nor reduce the consumption of substances or intoxicants classified as illegal. In fact, the opposite has been the case for more than 50 years: today, more cocaine is grown, trafficked, and used in Colombia and around the world than ever before. Although the peace treaty signed in 2016 with the guerrilla organisation FARC has made a significant contribution to pacifying large parts of the country, violence, displacement, murder, environmental destruction, and illegal overexploitation are still the order of the day in Colombia.

The President must now show that his unctuous words do not amount to just an up-to-date analysis: they must also be followed by concrete actions. Will Gustavo Petro succeed in harmonising the debates at the regional and international levels with the recognition of insight at the national level? Will he find allies beyond Bolivia and convince the international forums and decision-making bodies of the validity of his approach?

Today, more cocaine is grown, trafficked, and used in Colombia and around the world than ever before.

Here, too, there are doubts: conservative forces continue to determine politics in Latin America. The previous government under President Santos already tried to address the failed strategies of the past with innovative and scientifically based support. Petro must now try to advance the debate about an international drug control system, not so much with the aim of bringing about immediate changes as preparing them for the medium term so that they have even a chance of international support in around 10 to 15 years time.

In addition, Gustavo Petro would have to reconcile his international discourse with other domestic political decisions. In many places, this discrepancy between what he says and what he does is constantly pointed out. For example, despite all the announcements, he is unable to stop the use of glyphosate in Colombia.

And coca and marijuana growing communities have no choice but to take social action against the criminalisation of growing the crops, through strikes and other measures. Progress is also slow in filling important positions that could promote a new agenda. Although Gloria Miranda was appointed as the new director for drug policy in the Colombian Ministry of Justice at the end of September, a new appointment for the implementation of the Comprehensive National Program for the Substitution of Illicit Crops has yet to be made.

Without clear and competent contacts at the national level, without locally adapted and integral development prospects, such as infrastructure measures in the provinces, the provision of goods and services, and a stronger state presence, the people in the regions affected by coca cultivation are left on their own. They remain without guarantees of their own safety, without job opportunities, and without access to education and health care and ultimately no alternatives.

Without an attempt to resolve the complex situation that has arisen as a result of the drug policy based on prohibition and criminalisation thus far, it will be impossible to bring about change. There is reason to fear that without a comprehensive political strategy, armed, illegal criminal groups will continue to kill and displace people, and that the already difficult economic and social situation will continue to worsen in many areas, with nothing being done to stop illegal drug cultivation and trafficking.

Such a strategy could include decriminalisation of producers, safety guarantees for communities, and a development strategy for regions of cultivation. At the same time, consumers should be educated and sensitised with campaigns about the safe and regulated use of intoxicants.

It is to be hoped that by taking decisive action in Colombia, the United States will also rethink its current approach and join Latin Americas most important ally in reassessing drug policy.

The Colombian government could leverage the national legal framework already in place, and enable non-punitive strategies to create alternative livelihoods for communities that currently live from and with coca and marijuana: Many of the communities have great potential for sustainable tourism; they could make a necessary contribution to sustainable value chains and support peace through innovative approaches to the use of traditional plants.

Gustavo Petro will not be able to do this alone and not just within Colombia in this policy area he also needs progressive counterparts in the region, and in Europe. It is to be hoped that by taking decisive action in Colombia, the United States will also rethink its current approach and join Latin Americas most important ally in reassessing drug policy.

If the international political actors refuse to engage in debate, there is a risk that the misguided War on Drugs and the accompanying environmental destruction in large parts of the Andean countries, as well as murder of and violence against their inhabitants, will continue for another 50 years. Today there is still some hope of making a difference.

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How the War on Drugs failed Democracy and society - IPS Journal

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This Day in History, October 14th, 2022 War on Drugs – Signals AZ

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ByStaff|onOctober 14, 2022

It was just 40 years ago today, October 14, 1982, that President Ronald Reagan declared the War on Drugs, a serious issue that had long plagued America and the rest of the world. This was not the first War on Drugs that the United States had declared, several Presidents have made attempts to control different types of illegal substances. Real wars have been fought over the control and trade of narcotics and other various stimulants since the dawn of civilization. However, it was Reagans declaration that not only sought to control the trafficking in the United States but where it was produced as well.

There are various notions on whether or not the War on Drugs has been a success. As long as there is a demand, its hard for the government to control anything. However, though strict enforcement might not have had the greatest effects so far, the question remains, what should we do then? Currently, we are still facing age-old problems, but will there be a solution?

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This Day in History, October 14th, 2022 War on Drugs - Signals AZ

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Best Phoenix Concerts This Week: The Black Keys, Karol G, The War on Drugs – Phoenix New Times

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Octobers busy slate of concerts continues this week with gigs by blues rockers The Black Keys, Colombian singer-songwriter Karol G., and video game rock act Bit Brigade. Also on tap this week are indie darlings Dehd and heartland rockers The War on Drugs. And on Wednesday night, five different local acts will square off in a battle of the bands to claim a spot on the lineup for this years Dusk Music Festival in Tucson.

Read on for more details about these shows or click over to Phoenix New Times concert listings for even more live music in the Valley from Monday, October 10, to Thursday, October 13. The War on DrugsMonday, October 10The Van Buren, 401 West Van Buren StreetThe actual war on drugs has been a national disgrace since Nixon coined the term in 1971, months after the president met a visibly high Elvis in the White House. As a band, The War on Drugs have had an altogether more positive effect on the national spirit. Theyre tapping into a vein of heartland rock that Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp mined so deeply in the 80s: deeply sincere lyrics, traditional instruments in lock-step with synths, weary masculine voices, and a wide-open sense of space in the production. But what makes the band sound so modern is how they mix in shoegaze guitars and krautrock motorik rhythms into songs that expand and recede like the shore. Fronted by Adam Granduciel, the Philadelphia band has grown rapidly to become the heirs apparent to Wilcos dad-rock throne. Their latest album, 2021s I Dont Live Here Anymore, builds on the promise of their early work. Meditative and engaging, its the perfect record to get lost in while driving for hours on the highway. With Adam Miller and Inner Magic; 8 p.m., $39.50/$45 via ticketmaster.com. Ashley Naftule The Black KeysMonday, October 10Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 North 83rd AvenueBack in the distant, ancient pre-pandemic years Sun Kil Moon singer/career misanthrope Mark Kozelek sparked a beef with The War on Drugs by calling their music "beer-commercial guitar shit." Few bands more aptly fit that description than Akron, Ohio, blues-rock duo The Black Keys. Whether you consider that to be an insult or not depends on your tolerance for their reverent blues-inflected garage licks and dads-cutting-loose-in-Vegas swagger. The Black Keys emerged around the same time as The White Stripes, drawing similar inspiration from Flat Duo Jets and other garage-rock revivalists. But whereas the Stripes were kinda arty and twee (Beat Happening is as much a part of the bands DNA as the Mississippi Delta), The Black Keys made their bread by being unpretentious dude rockers who just wanna boogie. Pat Carney bangs the drums with metronomic precision while Dan Auerbach shreds and wails like hes auditioning to front a Sonics cover band. The Black Keys make music that makes you want to pound brews, drive fast, get divorced, and alienate your co-workers with your sudden Blind Lemon Jefferson fandom. With Band of Horses and The Velveteers; 7 p.m., $34.50-$169.50 via livenation.com. Ashley Naftule Karol GTuesday, October 11Footprint Center, 201 East Jefferson StreetColombian-born pop/reggaeton star Karol G is in the midst of her blockbuster $trip Love arena tour, which is powered by her award-winning 2021 album KG0516. Shes been selling out venues across the country, including her gig this week at Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix (dont worry, you can still score tickets through resellers), and the tour qualifies as her biggest to date. All that said, her media coverage lately has been focusing on her on-again/off-again relationship with Puerto Rican rapper Anuel AA. Its kind of a shame, considering Karol G. is a groundbreaking artist with an astounding voice who earned the shared honor of having the first song by two female artists to debut at number one on Billboards Hot Latin Songs in 2019 when Tusa, her collaborative track with Nicky Minaj topped the charts. Its on Karol Gs current tour setlist along with her hits "Mi Cama," "Secreto," and "Creme. With Agudelo888; 8 p.m. Benjamin Leatherman

The entrance to Valley Bar in downtown Phoenix.

Benjamin Leatherman

Eric McGrady (left), Emily Kempf (center), and Jason Balla of Dehd.

Alexa Viscius

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The war on drugs: No 10 dismisses claims that cannabis could be re-classified as a class A drug The Justice Gap – thejusticegap.com

Posted: at 5:32 pm

At the Conservative Party conference last week, police and crime commissioners (PCCs) called for cannabis to be classified as a class A drug. Suella Braverman echoed the calls, which would place cannabis in the same category as heroin and cocaine. No 10 distanced itself from Suella Bravermans reports and rejected them.

Class A drugs carry a potential life sentence for suppliers. Possession of class A drugs carries a maximum penalty of a seven-year prison sentence. This is a two-year increase from the maximum five-year custodial sentence for possession of a Class B substance.

PPCs have no impact upon criminal law or police procedures; however, they are responsible for the accountability and efficiency of the police service. The PCC for Dorset, David Sidwick, says that cannabis is causing increasing harm in communities due to its gateway nature. He claims it is the most common drug young people seek rehabilitation for, and elevating it to be on par with heroin would allow for increased education and subsequent punishment.

Despite these reports, Downing Street has confirmed there are currently no plans to reform the categorisation of cannabis. The prime ministers spokesperson commented: our priority is cracking down on illegal drugs and the crime they driveweve launched a drug strategy to deliver a whole-system approach to tackling supply and demand.

Amongst campaigners fiercely protesting against cannabis being illegal is Peter Reynolds, the president of the lobby group CLEAR, which aims to reverse the prohibition of cannabis. Reynolds believes its elevation to Class A status will do more harm than good, stating that the PCCs were promoting ideas which will increase crime.

Protesters have long argued that the UKs rigid drugs strategy has so far been ineffective. Their proposals for reform include moving away from criminalisation and instead exploring the notion of a regulated market.

Reynolds adds that only ignorant politicians want to continue using the law as a weapon in the war on drugs.

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The war on drugs: No 10 dismisses claims that cannabis could be re-classified as a class A drug The Justice Gap - thejusticegap.com

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ACL 2022 day 2: Pink, Lil Nas X, The War On Drugs & more truly got the party started – Variance Magazine

Posted: at 5:32 pm

Pink at Austin City Limits 2022, by Charles Reagan

While Austin City Limits may have technically kicked off weekend 1 on Friday, the festival seemed to wait until Saturday night to, uh, "Get the Party Started." Because that's exactly what Pink did on day 2.

But before the hit-maker took over the American Express stage on Saturday, it was The Midnight who shined brightly, dominating the same stage and thoroughly enjoying the thrust set up for the night's headliner. It was clear the Los Angeles outfit definitely had their fans who came to see them, but the vast majority of the audience were new converts, easily won over by the 80's synthwave and, of course, the saxophone. This band might have been playing a 2 p.m. slot, but they are ready for primetime.

Next, Role Model was bringing the best to the nearby T-Mobile stage, giving fans live renditions of his recent debut album Rx. Surrounded by a swarm of hardcore fans, the singer, also known asTucker Pillsbury, offered up a dazzling set of moody pop and bangers, showing he has nowhere to go but up, having graduated from playing the smaller BMI stage in the past.

Over at the Barton Springs stage, rising rapper Tyla Yaweh started off his set with a delay as he continued nodding to sound difficulties. But he powered through as he acknowledged the support of his true fans for sticking with him. He also gave them a taste of his new music, teasing a new single coming later this monthOct. 21, to be exact.

The day continued with strong performances from the likes of New York-based singer-songwriter Samia conquering the Miller Lite. She even took a moment to take in the sight of the crowd, thanking those who came to watch her, saying she was grateful they chose to be there over other options in Zilker Park at that time.

Then it was a somewhat hometown welcome at the Honda stage for Conan Gray, who is from nearby Georgetown, which is just outside Austin. He gave a headline-like performance worthy of being on one of the two main stages, and it was exactly what we needed in the late afternoon timeframe.

But if we were needing a pick-me-up of any kind, Sofi Tukker more than took care of that at the Miller Lite stage, proving they deserved to be at one of the bigger stages, drawing a mammoth crowd excited to see the duoSophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern. And the energy was palpable, as they pair delivered one of the day's best sets, donning the matching, orange-hued tennis outfits in support of their new album Tennis.

The party only continued further over at the American Express stage as Lil Nas Xwarmed up the crowd for Pink's upcoming closer with a headlining-worthy set of his own. He acknowledged it might be another three years before he saw the crowd again, as festival lineups tend to rotate through a number of acts before bringing artists back through for another performance. But perhaps next time around, he'd be the one closing the main stage.

Meanwhile, Honda stage was equally lit, with Atlanta representing courtesy of Big Boi, who brought out his friend and collaborator Sleepy Brown for a number of songs as he churned through solo favorites as well as a slew of OutKast hits, including "ATLiens," "So Fresh, So Clean," "Ms. Jackson" and "The Way You Move."

Following Sofi Tukker's set at Miller Lite was a tall order, but Diplo was up for it and he delivered a club-ready show of his own as a similar sea of fans turned up ready for a lively performance from the hit DJ-producer, whose own self-titled album recently released.

As the day turned to night, it was perfect for The War On Drugs to wrap up the T-Mobile stage with a uniquely extended performance which felt simultaneously epic and intimate, as if everyone there was friends just watching their favorite band. AsAdam Granduciel and company navigated through their catalog of standout selects, you could truly sense the connection between the band and their fans, the latter of whom were soaking up every second of the performance from the start to finish. And it was fitting for the band to close with "I Don't Live Here Anymore," the lead single off their incredible 2021 album, of which they recently shared an deluxe edition.

Then was the finale, from none other than Pink, closing out the American Express stage. It was such a big moment for the singer, especially as festivals embrace big pop artists as headliners, in contrast with past years, when rock artists are traditionally favored. As Pink kicked off her set, it was clear ACL made a great decision bringingAlecia Moore to top-line day 2, as she launched with the perfectly fitting "Get This Party Started," with the crowd loudly chanting back the lyrics: "I'm comin' up so you better get this party started /Get this party started on a Saturday night."

Pink proved exactly why she was a wise choice, as she delivered hit after hit, continuing on with "Raise Your Glass," "Just Like a Pill," "Just Give Me a Reason" and "Try," with a handful of impressive covers, including Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "River" by Bishop Briggs. She later closed with "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)" and then returned for a stunning encore flying overhead as she performed her hit single "So What."

Pink at Austin City Limits 2022, by Charles Reagan

Pink at Austin City Limits 2022, by Brittany Hallberg

Pink at Austin City Limits 2022, by Charles Reagan

Sofi Tukker at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dan DeSlover

Role Model at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dan DeSlover

Flume at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dan DeSlover

The crowd at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dan DeSlover

Charlotte Sands at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dan DeSlover

The crowd at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dan DeSlover

Flume at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dan DeSlover

Adrian Quesada at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dan DeSlover

Role Model at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dan DeSlover

Tyla Yaweh at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dan DeSlover

Tyla Yaweh at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dan DeSlover

Conan Gray at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dan DeSlover

Sofi Tukker at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dan DeSlover

Sofi Tukker at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dan DeSlover

Tobe Nwigwe at Austin City Limits 2022, by Greg Noire

WALLOWS at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dusana Risovic

Sofi Tukker at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dan DeSlover

Lil Nas X at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dan DeSlover

Lil Nas X at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dan DeSlover

Lil Nas X at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dan DeSlover

Diplo at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dan DeSlover

Diplo at Austin City Limits 2022, by Dan DeSlover

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ACL 2022 day 2: Pink, Lil Nas X, The War On Drugs & more truly got the party started - Variance Magazine

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Veteran Turns To Tara to help secure role in NY’s budding cannabis industry – News 12 Bronx

Posted: at 5:32 pm

It's an exciting time for some cannabis entrepreneurs ahead of the state's selection on who will open the first marijuana dispensaries - but not for everyone.

One local veteran Turned to Tara in the hope of getting a better chance of securing a role in New York's budding cannabis industry.

Unlike 19 other states that have legalized recreational marijuana in the U.S., only applicants with past marijuana-related convictions will get the first chance to sell itin New York.

However, Fiore,who suffered an injury in 2016 thatbroughthis military career as an Army combat medic to an abrupt halt, has battled and won his personal war with drugs.

"Painkillers were fed to me, which created you know, a habit," he says.

He also overdosed on heroin, which required six units of Narcan. A smashed-up car was the casualty of his 14thoverdose, which also landed him intheICU again.

"I was in the beginning of multi-organ system failure. And through the grace of God, I pulled through and I finally decided that I needed to change something. And my friend said why don't you try cannabis, and you know, I took it as a joke. And believe it or not, just turned off that addiction switch in my brain. It still amazes me to this day," he says.Three years into his recovery and back on the job with the FDNY, Fiore says a new fight is fueling himashe struggles to secure a role in New York's budding cannabis industry.

The legislation for the first 150 conditional retail dispensary licenses that will be issued in the coming weekswasintended by lawmakers to serve as a catalyst for social justice, making up for some of the damage done to communities, mainly of color, during the decadeslongwar on drugs.Fiore says veterans deserve a seat at the table, too.

That's why Fiore decided to Turn To Tara inhopethat more people who hear his story will give veterans like himself a chance to be included in the next round of licenses being issued sometime next year.

Fiore also said thatthe Cannabis advisory board in New York has members who represent women and minorities, but there were no representations of veterans on that board.

The Office of Cannabis Management responded with a statement sayingthenew laws place a priority on equity applicants, which "includes serve-disabled and veteran-owned businesses."

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Brandon Scott: To save lives from drug overdoses, Maryland must lead – Maryland Matters

Posted: at 5:32 pm

A fentanyl test kit distributed for free by an organization in Baltimore. Photo by Ian Round/Capital News Service.

By Brandon M. Scott

The writer is the 52nd mayor of Baltimore.

In 2021, nearly eight Marylanders died each day from an overdose. In my city of Baltimore alone, our community lost more than 600 people last year a stunningly tragic situation that demands action.

These preventable deaths are the consequences of systemic discrimination and suffering rooted in the war on drugs. Decades of police violence and generations of mass incarceration have pushed people who use drugs into the shadows. Our family members, our friends, and our neighbors are disappearing into social and emotional isolation, where they engage in risky behaviors that put their health and that of others at risk.

But in Baltimore, were charting a new course toward proven solutions to address the overdose crisis and save lives.

Baltimore is the first jurisdiction in Maryland to expand access to naloxone allowing anyone to access the life-saving medicine without a prescription or training certificate. We expanded access to methadone, the gold standard of addiction treatment, and now provide psychosocial support and wraparound social services. And we created an Opioid Intervention Team (OIT), which brings governmental, medical, and community-based partners together to develop and lead a comprehensive response to the overdose crisis.

But until we take transformative action to change the way we treat and discuss the overdose crisis, the continual impact of the war on drugs including preventable deaths, mass incarceration, and social and emotional isolation will continue to devastate our communities. To truly save lives, Maryland must be bolder.

New York City recently arrived at the same crossroads we are facing today a choice between the status quo and the implementation of overdose prevention sites (OPS). OPS are safe spaces operated by community-based organizations that provide people who use drugs a place to use and access life-saving interventions, like naloxone and support networks. New York City chose to leave the status quo behind and save lives by expanding access to care. As mayor of Baltimore, I am calling on legislators in Annapolis to pass the Overdose and Infectious Disease Prevention Services bill in 2023, which would allow community-based organizations to operate overdose prevention sites (OPS) in Maryland.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott (D) speaks at a news conference in the city in 2021. Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images.

Over 150 OPS exist in 12 countries around the world, and many have been operating for decades. Visitors can access sanitary materials and spaces, as well as fentanyl test strips all of which reduce the risk of fatal overdose and mitigate transmission of bloodborne illnesses. By meeting the people where they are, OPS are a proven solution to the overdose crisis ravaging our communities. In fact, OPS have been proven to reduce overdose fatalities by 35% in the surrounding area within one year of opening; New York Citys own two sites saved nearly 200 lives within their first three months.

Not only do OPS ensure fewer lives lost to drug use, but for many, it is an opportunity to take the helping hand of community organizers and start their journey to recovery. Simply put, we cannot address the overdose crisis without first saving the lives of those who use drugs. Its time for our state legislators to recognize the success of our neighbors, both up Interstate 95 and abroad, and take action to save lives including passing legislation allowing the establishment of life-saving OPS throughout the state.

Last year, we lost nearly 3,000 people to drug overdose in the state of Maryland a 17% increase from 2020. Their loved ones and communities endure an unimaginable loss, which is why we need to take action today to help our friends, family, and neighbors avoid suffering the same fate. Together and through a community lens, we can improve the health and wellbeing of our residents without criminalizing addiction.

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Giveaway: The War on Drugs 10/16 – ACLTV.com

Posted: at 5:32 pm

UPDATE giveaway is now over. Austin City Limits will be taping a performance by The War on Drugs on Sunday, October 16th at 8 pm at ACL Live at The Moody Theater (310 W. 2nd Street, Willie Nelson Blvd). We will be giving away a limited number of passes to this taping. Enter your name and email address on the below form by Thursday, October 13th at 2 pm.

Winners will be chosen at random and a photo ID will be required to pick up tickets. Winners will be notified via email. Duplicate entries for a single taping will be automatically voided. Tickets are not transferable and will be voided if sold. Standing may be required. No photography, recording or cell phone use in the studio. No cameras, computers or recording devices allowed in the venue.

For entry to Austin City Limits tapings, you agree to abide by the Taping Health & Safety Protocols based on the current COVID-19 Community Risk Stage in effect at the time of the event. By attending the ACL tapings, you agree to the Terms & Conditions.

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Giveaway: The War on Drugs 10/16 - ACLTV.com

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These Republican Candidates Questioned the 2020 Election. Many Will Win – The New York Times

Posted: at 5:30 pm

Hundreds of Republican midterm candidates have questioned or spread misinformation about the 2020 election.

Hundreds of Republican midterm candidates have questioned or spread misinformation about the 2020 election.

Together they represent a growing consensus in the Republican Party, and a potential threat to American democracy.

Together they represent a growing consensus in the Republican Party, and a potential threat to American democracy.

They include candidates for the U.S. House and Senate, and the state offices of governor, secretary of state and attorney general many with clear shots to victory, and some without a chance. They are united by at least one issue: They have all expressed doubt about the legitimacy of the 2020 election. And they are the new normal of the Republican Party.

About the data Karen Yourish and Danielle Ivory collected and analyzed statements of more than 550 Republican midterm candidates. Read more about their reporting.

More than 370 people a vast majority of Republicans running for these offices in November have questioned and, at times, outright denied the results of the 2020 election despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, according to a monthslong New York Times investigation. These candidates represent a sentiment that is spreading in the Republican Party, rupturing a bedrock principle of democracy: that voters decide elections and candidates accept results.

This skepticism has stretched into political races in every state and is still frequently being raised as a campaign issue, The Times has found, nearly two years after Donald J. Trump was defeated. Hundreds of these candidates are favored to win their races.

Far from fading over time, as many Americans had hoped, election lies and misinformation have proved strikingly resilient, even amid a political campaign season in which far more is being said by candidates and their party officials about issues like inflation and abortion. The Times has for the first time identified more than 240 candidates who are still casting doubt on the presidential election this year many of them within the last couple of months.

The Times analysis is a detailed accounting of the spread of election denial in the Republican Party. The analysis incorporates not only what candidates have said, but also when. Many candidates views have changed over time as new conspiracies were born, as Mr. Trump demanded fealty, and as primary voters weighed in, The Times found. Some candidates became less vocal after the Capitol riot, and some have consistently pushed falsehoods about the election.

The timeline below tracks the candidates expressions of doubt over three distinct periods: on the day of or before the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, after the riot, and this year as the midterm elections have approached.

74 candidates questioned the 2020 election through the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

On or beforeJan. 6, 2021

Rest of 2021

2022

Michael Cloud, 27th District, TexasThe allegations of irregularities in the vote-counting process should be concerning to everyone. Nov. 6, 2020

Michael Cloud, 27th District, TexasThe allegations of irregularities in the vote-counting process should be concerning to everyone. Nov. 6, 2020

136 candidates questioned the 2020 election on and off in the last two years.

On or beforeJan. 6, 2021

Rest of 2021

2022

Diana Harshbarger, First District, Tenn.There's ample evidence that unchecked ballot harvesting has led to mischief and voting irregularities. June 24, 2022

Diana Harshbarger, First District, Tenn.There's ample evidence that unchecked ballot harvesting has led to mischief and voting irregularities. June 24, 2022

64 candidates questioned the 2020 election in 2022.

On or beforeJan. 6, 2021

Rest of 2021

2022

Scotty Moore, Ninth District, Fla.The movie 2000 Mules proves election fraud happened and President Trump won in a landslide. May 9, 2022

Scotty Moore, Ninth District, Fla.The movie 2000 Mules proves election fraud happened and President Trump won in a landslide. May 9, 2022

103 candidates have persistently questioned the 2020 election.

On or beforeJan. 6, 2021

Rest of 2021

2022

Mary Miller, 15th District, Ill.They know even a glancing review would uncover the greatest heist of the 21st century. Dec. 29, 2020

Mary Miller, 15th District, Ill.They know even a glancing review would uncover the greatest heist of the 21st century. Dec. 29, 2020

Note: Some candidates were not public figures until recently. Their records of casting doubt on the 2020 election may not be publicly available.

No evidence of widespread irregularities was found by top Trump administration officials in the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security, which investigated the election, or by judges throughout the country and even auditors commissioned by political operatives intent on proving fraud.

The Times scoured the public records of more than 550 Republican candidates in all 50 states, examining their social media accounts, political emails, newsletters, speeches, interviews and campaign materials. The analysis distinguished between the many dozens of candidates who said unequivocally (and inaccurately) that the 2020 election was stolen, and those who stopped short of that falsehood but criticized the election, often persistently, in ways that were seemingly more reasonable but perhaps more influential.

The Times did not automatically categorize candidates who objected to the 2020 Electoral College results or who supported lawsuits challenging the results as denying the election outright. As a recent Times investigation reported, those candidates often cited more nuanced arguments for their votes or said they did not want to overturn the outcome.

The Times investigation found that about 70 percent of Republicans running for Congress had questioned the election of President Biden, who won seven million more votes and 74 more electors than Mr. Trump. Of those, nearly two-thirds are favored to win their races, according to the Cook Political Report, which provides race ratings for Congress and governor.

Among Republican candidates running for state offices that can play a significant role in elections and recounts governors, attorneys general and secretaries of state more than half expressed misgivings about the 2020 election. The share was higher, about 65 percent, among candidates running for governor. About half of those candidates for governor are favored to win.

For Republican candidates who would rather talk about something other than the last presidential election, some have learned that the partys base, and its unofficial leader, Mr. Trump, wont let them drop the issue. It has become, in many cases, the price of entry to the Republican ticket.

Wisconsin Republicans learned this lesson the hard way.

In early June, Mr. Trump upended the Republican primary for governor in Wisconsin by endorsing Tim Michels, a wealthy construction magnate, over Rebecca Kleefisch, a former lieutenant governor of the state and a favorite of local Republicans.

The endorsement apparently came with strings.

During a July debate, Mr. Michels said he would not prioritize decertifying the 2020 election in Wisconsin, a legally implausible process that nonetheless remained a fixation of Mr. Trump.

I have to focus on beating Tony Evers this fall, he said, referring to Wisconsins incumbent Democratic governor.

A roar came from Mar-a-Lago, communicated through aides to Mr. Michels, demanding that he embrace the decertification movement, according to people familiar with the conversations.

Mr. Michels reversed course, saying that he was very, very fired up about this election integrity issue and pledging to consider signing a decertification bill if legislators passed one.

By the final days of the primary, Mr. Michels was promoting the election conspiracy theory amplified in the film 2000 Mules and was promising to consider signing legislation clawing back Wisconsins 10 electoral votes from the 2020 election.

The former president has backed nearly 70 percent of the candidates that The Times identified as questioning the 2020 election and who are favored to win their races.

Of the more than 370 candidates who expressed skepticism about the 2020 election, about half are incumbents, nearly all of whom are favored to keep their seats.

About a fifth of the candidates are current members of Congress who, on Jan. 6, 2021, objected to the Electoral College results a distinction that, according to a recent Times report, has become politically (and financially) profitable.

In the months following the Capitol riot, nearly 80 percent of the objectors who are running for re-election took some kind of official action that, in effect, continued to promote questions about the 2020 election. These included signing congressional letters alleging widespread fraud or inappropriate interference in the 2020 race; co-sponsoring legislation to fix what they deemed to be problems that emerged during that election; and joining a new Election Integrity Caucus, which has spearheaded a lot of these initiatives.

The candidates identified by The Times include people who have questioned the 2020 election in ways both explicit and subtle.

Fewer than one-third have staked out the most extreme position stating, without any evidence, that the election was stolen or rigged.

An even smaller number of the candidates who explicitly said the election was stolen, about three dozen of them, are favored to win. They include incumbents like Governor Kay Ivey of Alabama, Representative Lance Gooden of Texas and Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida all of whom have tweeted falsely, sometimes repeatedly, that the election was stolen as well as candidates running for the House, like Mike Collins in Georgia, Joe Kent in Washington State and Anna Paulina Luna in Florida.

In a recent video, Mr. Collins walks toward the camera with a gun, saying: You count the legal votes that were cast in the state of Georgia? Donald Trump won this state, period. At the end of the video, he shoots what appears to be a voting machine, and it explodes. Mr. Biden won the election in Georgia by more than 11,000 votes.

The video below shows how some of the most ardent election deniers have made their claims, even though Mr. Biden received more than 51 percent of the popular vote, winning in battleground states like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Mark Finchem for Ariz. Secretary of State We know it and they know it.

Mark Finchem for Ariz. Secretary of State Donald Trump won.

Brian Flowers for Miss. 2 Trump won, and everyone knows it.

Blake Masters for Ariz. Senator I think Trump won in 2020.

Mike Collins for Ga. 10 You count the legal votes that were

Mike Collins for Ga. 10 cast in the state of Georgia.

Mike Collins for Ga. 10 Donald Trump won this state.

Tudor Dixon for Mich. Governor Do you believe Donald Trump legitimately

Tudor Dixon for Mich. Governor won the 2020 election in Michigan?

Tudor Dixon for Mich. Governor Yes.

Anna Paulina Luna for Fla. 13 Yes, I believe that

Anna Paulina Luna for Fla. 13 President Trump won that election,

Anna Paulina Luna for Fla. 13 and I do believe that voter fraud occurred.

Karoline Leavitt for N.H. 1 I am the only candidate in this race

Karoline Leavitt for N.H. 1 to say that President Trump won in 2020.

Kari Lake for Ariz. Governor We had a fraudulent election, a corrupt election,

Kari Lake for Ariz. Governor and we have an illegitimate president

Kari Lake for Ariz. Governor sitting in the White House.

J.R. Majewski for Ohio 9 Do you believe that Joe Biden is the legitimate president

J.R. Majewski for Ohio 9 of the United States?

J.R. Majewski for Ohio 9 Hell, no.

Lisa McClain for Mich. 9 Tell me Joe Biden won.

Russell Fry for S.C. 7 It is very clear that it was rigged.

Lance Gooden for Texas 5 I will not accept the results of a rigged election.

Morgan Luttrell for Texas 8 It was taken from us.

Morgan Luttrell for Texas 8 Yes, maam.

Jim Bognet for Pa. 8 In 2020, President Trump endorsed me for Congress.

Jim Bognet for Pa. 8 But that election was stolen from us.

Marjorie Taylor Greene for Ga. 14 The dirty, rotten Democrats stole the election.

Rand Paul for Ky. Senator The election in many ways was stolen.

Rayla Campbell for Mass. Secretary of State We watched our elections

Rayla Campbell for Mass. Secretary of State be stolen.

J.D. Vance for Ohio Senator I think the election was stolen from Trump.

Kay Ivey for Ala. Governor The fake news,

Kay Ivey for Ala. Governor Big Tech and blue-state liberals stole the election

Kay Ivey for Ala. Governor from President Trump.

Most election skeptics, however, have not denied the 2020 results entirely. Instead, The Times found, they have sown doubt by suggesting, sometimes repeatedly, that there are unresolved questions or that further investigation is needed.

Some have said they do not know who legitimately won the election, or they have conceded that Mr. Biden is the president, but not necessarily because he was elected fairly. Some have said that there were irregularities or interference in the election but that perhaps those did not change the results.

Others have changed their positions, like Don Bolduc, a Senate candidate in New Hampshire. At an August debate, Mr. Bolduc said, I signed a letter with 120 other generals and admirals saying that Trump won the election, and, damn it, I stand by my letter.

Im not switching horses, baby, he said.

On Sept. 15, he did.

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These Republican Candidates Questioned the 2020 Election. Many Will Win - The New York Times

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Eric Trump Declares There Is ‘No Longer’ a Republican Party – Newsweek

Posted: at 5:30 pm

Eric Trump, son of former President Donald Trump, on Friday discussed how the GOP has been reshaped in his father's image, and added that there is "no longer a Republican Party."

The younger Trump made the claim during an appearance on conservative news channel, Newsmax. The clip of Eric Trump's TV appearance was shared on Twitter by left-leaning pundit and former federal prosecutor, Ron Filipkowski, and has been viewed over 100,000 times as of Saturday afternoon.

"He's fundamentally changed the party," Eric Trump said about his father. "It's no longer the Republican Party, it's the Trump Party."

The claim is not a new one for the younger Trump, who has made similar comments in past interviews while discussing the present and future state of the Republican Party. During another Newsmax appearance in August, he said the same thing while discussing Representative Liz Cheney's primary defeat against Trump-endorsed GOP challenger, Harriet Hageman.

"There's no question. I mean, it's not even the Republican Party," Eric Trump said at the time. "I'd say it's actually the Trump party."

During his appearance in August, the former president's son also went into greater detail on his claim about the GOP, and said that his father's endorsements have "brought in a whole new party." Trump's endorsements this year have led to primary wins 92 percent of the time, according to Ballotpedia.

"My father has literally brought in a whole new party from the RINO [Republican in name only] class of the Republican Party," Eric Trump said. "He literally brought in a whole new party that stands for something totally different than the wider class of the Republican Party ever stood for. My father's really redefined what the party is, how the party speaks to its constituents and I think it's exactly why you have this overwhelming support in all of the people he's endorsed."

During his most recent appearance on Friday, Eric Trump also discussed the public hearings of the House select committee investigating last year's Capitol riot, saying that "not a single person cares about" them.

"Not a single person cares about the J6 hearings," he said. "The Republicans are absolutely going to steamroll the Democratic Party because they haven't accomplished anything in two years. This is all coordinated, it's all made up. It's all a diversion, a distraction."

Contrary to his claims, the select committee's hearings have appeared to draw significant interest, with the eight televised hearings from the summer averaging 13.1 million viewers, with the first hearing drawing in around 20 million. A PBS poll from July also found that 50 percent of respondents agreed that Trump should face charges for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, riot. However, only 28 percent believed he will actually be prosecuted.

Newsweek reached out to Donald Trump's press office and the Republican National Committee (RNC) for comment.

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Eric Trump Declares There Is 'No Longer' a Republican Party - Newsweek

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