cannabisnews.com: Drug Czar Nominee Rebuffs Criticisms





Drug Czar Nominee Rebuffs Criticisms
Posted by FoM on October 11, 2001 at 08:34:30 PT
By Jeff Johnson, CNSNews.com 
Source: CNSNews.com
The president's nominee to be the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has clarified his positions on a number of statements he previously made regarding the role of treatment and education in the war on drugs. Opponents to his nomination seem pleased but remain cautious.John Walters served as deputy director for supply reduction, and as chief of staff at ONDCP under former drug czar William Bennett. He was with ONDCP from the agency's creation in 1989 throughout the first Bush administration. Prior to that, he was Secretary Bennett's assistant at the Department of Education.
But criticism of Walters doesn't stem from his job performance. Drug use declined every year during his tenure with ONDCP and was cut in half over the entire period. Democrats criticize the nominee instead for his past comments about the priority law enforcement and interdiction should have over education and treatment.For example, Walters wrote in The Weekly Standard in March 2001 that, "What really drives the battle against law enforcement and punishment is not a commitment to treatment, but the widely held view that, first, we are imprisoning too many people for merely possessing illegal drugs; second, drug and other criminal sentences are too long and harsh, and third, the criminal justice system is unjustly punishing young black men. These are among the great urban myths of our time."Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.), who wrote the law that created ONDCP, calls Walters a "principled man" but questions those views."These statements are certainly not in line with my drug policy views," Biden said at a confirmation hearing of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Youth Violence Wednesday.Walters now says mandatory minimum sentences probably should be reexamined. But he warns that changes must be carefully weighed."I would not want a change in the law to be one that either went as far as to normalize the drug trade as an acceptable activity," he said, "or to send a signal that there was a consensus that drug trafficking in serious addictive substances is not a serious concern of national legal and political authorities."But Walters' comments on federalism more directly contradict Biden's expressed liberal political philosophy. The nominee wrote in a commentary entitled "Big Government Junkies" for the March-April 1996 issue of Policy Review that said, "teaching children that drug use is wrong and harmful is primarily the responsibility of parents and local communities, youth organizations, religious institutions, schools and police. "Federal funding is neither necessary nor sufficient for conveying this lesson by word and deed," Walters wrote.He went on to question the effectiveness of a program that provides less than $3.00 per pupil after federal funding of $7.25 per student winds its way through the various federal and state bureaucracies to get to schools at the local level. Walters says his quarrel was with politicians who seem to believe that the federal government can replace parents when it comes to modeling good behavior for children.But much of the criticism of Walters appears to stem from comments that have apparently been taken out of context.For example, during the hearing Biden said, "He (Walters) has written that the 'view that therapy by a team of counselors, physicians and specialists is the only effective way to reduce drug use' is a 'myth.'"Biden went on to use that quote to argue that Walters is at odds with modern science."In contrast, the top doctors and scientists in the field of addiction believe that addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease and that addiction treatment is as successful as treatment for other chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma," Biden stated.But Walters' statement indicates that he does not believe medical or psychological treatment is the only effective method, not that he questions the effectiveness of, or need for such treatment. While at ONDCP, Walters lobbied for a 98 percent increase in treatment funding. But he also sought freedom to fund a variety of types of programs."We need to be careful that we don't fall into the nationalizing trap of 'one size fits all,'" Walters said. "I believe when you have a problem, try to find somebody who's solving that problem well and see what lessons you can learn from them."Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) shot back at one of the most vocal opponents of Walters' nomination outside the Congress, the Coalition for Compassionate Leadership on Drug Policy (CCLDP). The organization has published a 26-page report detailing Walters' statements on the treatment, education, interdiction, and enforcement components of the nation's drug strategy, and criticizing his nomination."I just have a caution of three words: Follow the money," Kyl warned. "The CCLDP's website is registered to the Soros Foundation in New York. The Soros Foundation was founded by multibillionaire George Soros, whose major interest is to advance the legalization of drugs."Soros has provided money to efforts to legalize marijuana in several states, and has also funded efforts to legalize heroine and cocaine, according to Kyl. An Internet search found that most of the criticisms voiced against Walters during the hearing were contained in the CCLDP report delivered to members of the committee.During a May 10, 2001, Rose Garden ceremony to announce Walters' nomination, President Bush said, "the most effective way to reduce the supply of drugs in America is to reduce the demand for drugs in America. Therefore, this administration will focus unprecedented attention on the demand side of this problem."Bush went on to detail $1.6 billion in new spending over the next five years dedicated to treatment and additional education initiatives. In Wednesday's hearing, Walters referenced Bush's comments to respond to his critics, saying he would not have accepted the nomination if he did not agree with the president."I believe the president's statements and proposals are consistent with what needs to be done in this country," he said. "So I have no reservation, and am eager to help in any way I can in carrying out those policies."Newshawk: Nicholas Thimmesch IINORML Media & CommunicationsSource: CNSNews.comAuthor: Jeff Johnson, CNSNews.com Congressional Bureau ChiefPublished: October 11, 2001Copyright: 1998-2001 Cybercast News ServiceContact: shogenson cnsnews.comWebsite: http://www.cnsnews.com/Related Articles & Web Site:CCLDPhttp://www.ccldp.org  Bush's Choice as 'Drug Czar' Receives Heavy Fire http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11062.shtmlTerrorist Strike Raises Stakes for Next Drug Czar http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10927.shtmlPrivacy, Liberty Emerge in Drug Czar Nominationhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10887.shtml
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Comment #10 posted by dddd on October 11, 2001 at 22:27:59 PT
Words,and the people who write them
..I know what you mean Poisoned,,,,when we read the stuff people write,and see their nom de plumes,(pen names),,it becomes quite intrigueing to imagine what they look like,,,,,,,,,take you for instance.What would Poisoned1550days look like?....I look like an aging,longaired Hippie/Beatnik guy,....... .....
.by the way,,what happenned 1550 days ago?,,and have you found an antidote?......dddd
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Comment #9 posted by Poisoned1550Days on October 11, 2001 at 19:51:18 PT
Ethan's picture
Hi Ethan,
  I saw your picture on the Norml web site.
It was interesting connecting your words to 
an image. I was at the Norml conference too but
only saw a few parts.
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on October 11, 2001 at 15:28:56 PT
What about Cannabis Laws?
I really really want to hear them talk about the laws against Marijuana. When they talk and talk about all drugs Cannabis keeps getting lost in the shuffle. I am getting very upset how we can't get them to stay focused for just a little of the time on Marijuana. There I feel sort of better!
Let us be free I pray and soon.
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Comment #7 posted by Ethan Russo MD on October 11, 2001 at 15:23:30 PT:
Deathbed Conversion?
Let us examine a recent event (from the last link):Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., asked Walters about an article he wrote in March for the conservative Weekly Standard. In it, the nominee said, "What really drives the battle against law enforcement and punishment is not a commitment to treatment, but the widely held view that (1) we are imprisoning too many people for merely possessing illegal drugs, (2) drug and other criminal sentences are too long and harsh, and (3) the criminal justice system is unjustly punishing young black men. These are among the great urban myths of our time." So he feels differently now that he has been nominated to a position where the Commander-In-Chief said something different. How do you suppose he truly feels on the issue? What this postion needs is someone with genuine vision, and new, innovative ideas. We see nothing of the sort, but rather a re-emphasis on tired, failed policies. 
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on October 11, 2001 at 14:23:26 PT
Houston Chronicle Article on John Walters
Here's the link to the article because I can't post it directly.
Drug czar nominee reverses his view on policy issues 
Hearst News Service 
Published: October 10, 2001
John Walters, President Bush's controversial nominee to become next White House drug policy director, said Wednesday he supports federal funding for drug abuse treatment and prevention, reversing his past view on the issue. 
Asked by Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., if his opinion had changed since 1996, when he wrote that federal funding was neither "necessary nor sufficient" for teaching children that drug abuse is wrong, Walters replied: "Yeah, I have changed my view on that." 
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/nation/1085027
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Comment #5 posted by Tim Stone on October 11, 2001 at 13:43:13 PT
Riiiiight
From out of the east come the thundering hooves of the great horse, Confirmation Conversion.Moderating his views...riiiight. Significant perhaps that Walters' apparent need to appear to moderate his views suggests a general moderation of drug war madness. Back in, say, '88, Walters would have felt no need to do so. That actually suggests some progress in anti drug-war insanity in recent years. That's the good news. The bad news is that after his confirmation Walters will doubtlessly try to do all he can to undo that progress. 
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Comment #4 posted by bruce42 on October 11, 2001 at 12:44:49 PT
pathetic
I really hate how pathetic these "debates" are. There is no substance to the arguments on either side. Granted, I do support those who oppose Walter's nomination, but sometimes I wonder if a big reason the public is uninformed about marijuana and hemp is becuase politicians sacrifice information for catchy sound bites.Here's an example"...For example, Walters wrote in The Weekly Standard in March 2001 that, "What really drives the battle against law enforcement and punishment is not a commitment to treatment, but the widely held view that, first, we are imprisoning too many people for merely possessing illegal drugs; second, drug and other criminal sentences are too long and harsh, and third, the criminal justice system is unjustly punishing young black men. These are among the great urban myths of our time..."We jump all over this statement because he offers no proof. No numbers, no facts. Just a random thought. I'm sure any of us here can toss out random thoughts that sound pretty neat but have no basis in reality. For once I would like to see a real debate. 
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Comment #3 posted by kaptinemo on October 11, 2001 at 12:25:59 PT:
A case of the pig-metal, cast iron kettle
calling the sheer,transparent crystal goblet "black".Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) shot back at one of the most vocal opponents of Walters' nomination outside the Congress, the Coalition for Compassionate Leadership on Drug Policy (CCLDP). The organization has published a 26-page report detailing Walters' statements on the treatment, education, interdiction, and enforcement components of the nation's drug strategy, and criticizing his nomination."I just have a caution of three words: Follow the money," Kyl warned. "The CCLDP's website is registered to the Soros Foundation in New York. The Soros Foundation was founded by multibillionaire George Soros, whose major interest is to advance the legalization of drugs."Yes, let's follow the money, shall we? Since 1980, the uS has spent, depending upon who you read, 200 to 500 Billion dollars. Meaning, it has extorted tax dollars at threat of imprisonment, and - since 1982 - stolen money from people in order to fund this little 'war' of theirs.Soros has spent maybe two million total in the entire push for a rational sane drug policy. Two million. Children, can you say "peanuts"? Sure, you can!People like Kyl never seem to grasp the enormity of the total waste of taxpayers dollars that he and his brethren have blessed. And seemingly, like dogs that remain unhousebroken, unless someone grabs them by the scruff of the neck and rubs their noses in the mess they've made, they never will.
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Comment #2 posted by bruce42 on October 11, 2001 at 10:25:18 PT
what is really frustrating
is how narrow minded these people are that they can't even consider ANY alternatives to the current policies. We know the drug is failing, they know it is failing. Still they try to hide that and still they refuse to change any policies aside from throwing more money at the "problem." Politicians expect results because they throw money at a problem. Too often I hear the complaint that "We doubled the funding, so why isn't it working." You can beat a dead horse unitl your arm falls off, but that horse ain't gonna move. More and more European governments are realizing this. Decriminalization and medicalization are good ideas. They've worked well in other countries- and as for the argument "Well, our system is completely different so it won't work." - that is pure BS. a variety of governments in a variety of countries have made things work. If the government is so all dern fired up about protecting us from ourselves, then take control of the drug market- get it out of the black market- make it safe and reliable.Unfortuneately, we get this instead- "...I just have a caution of three words: Follow the money," Kyl warned. "The CCLDP's website is registered to the Soros Foundation in New York. The Soros Foundation was founded by multibillionaire George Soros, whose major interest is to advance the legalization of drugs..."Fine. So their website is being funded by an organization that wants to make things work. Now if we're going to be following money trails let's get serious, folks. I wonder how many anti-drug programs are funded by tobacco and alcohol, big oil, and timber. What're you gonna pick? A current model of drug control that is outdated, outmoded, overfunded, bloated, and anti-constitutional, or something else? I personally would go for the latter, 'cause the first choice is pretty crappy.
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Comment #1 posted by p4me on October 11, 2001 at 09:48:53 PT:
ask about marijuana
Can someone ask him his read on what is happening in Canada, the UK,Jamaica, Australia, Portugal, Germany, and so on in regards to marijuana. Are we right and everyone else is wrong or are we wrong and just cannot admit it? And ask him what he thinks about the Dutch system. And could someone get him to tell us about his views on medical marijuana?
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