Calvina Fay, Executive Director, Drug Free America Foundation Appears on The Seth Leibsohn Show to discuss new Monitoring The Future Report on Marijuana Use and Abuse

Drug Free America Foundation, Inc. is a national and international drug policy organization promoting sound drug policies, education and prevention. www.dfaf.org.

Religious leaders must take action against drugs: Paul Chabot

By Paul Chabot

What if all of America’s religious leaders spoke out, united, about the damaging effects to children and communities from drug legalization efforts? What if America’s churches asked their members to focus volunteer efforts in their local streets to address our nation’s epidemic of drug use?

What if the tens of thousands of religious leaders could empower their flocks; the estimated 100 million to take action for this noble and worthy cause? A lot of good could happen!

Most crime is drug-related, including gang activity. Child abuse, poverty and so many other societal issues are traced back to drug use. Yet, there is little concerted effort to rally our citizens, elected leaders and leaders of faith, to what should be a common cause for all. However, in July of this year, Pope Francis spoke out against drug legalization saying, “A reduction in the spread and influence of drug addition will not be achieved by a liberalization of drug laws.”

According to Reuters news, Pope Francis took an unequivocal stand against legalization as a means to fight drug addiction and criticized the trend in Latin America to decriminalize narcotics.

Drug legalization in America is so much more than “drug legalization.” Citizens need to understand that the effort to legalize drugs is a clear and present danger to the values and morals of a free society. The big-money people behind drug legalization have grander ideas in mind once they turn our great nation into their vision of America.

This nation’s people have been desensitized to marijuana. We were first told it’s “medicine,” and once the general public became soft on pot as medicine, the pro-drug lobby expanded its reach to outright marijuana legalization. This past year, both Colorado and Washington voters gave the thumbs-up to pot. At this rate, 20 years from now, we could be looking at a very different America — one where all drugs are legal.

According to my friends at Drug Free America, “legalization will increase crime and other societal costs. Approximately 75% of children in foster care are placed there because of parental substance abuse. Sexual assault is frequently facilitated by substance use — some experts put the number at over 60%. The U.S. Department of Justice found that 61% of domestic violence offenders also have substance abuse problems. Would drugs be legalized for use by adults only, and if so, how can we ensure children don’t get them? If marijuana, for example, were legalized, it would be marketed like tobacco. Perception of harm would decrease with everyday ad placements undermining years of drug education and prevention work.”

Very few church leaders are addressing this issue with their membership while some in Congress and state legislatures are moving forward with drug legalization agendas.

Faith-based leaders from all sectors must become engaged. They must educate their membership and speak loudly and clearly.

God’s army here on earth is enormous and I pray we can find the courage to fight the good fight. This is a battle of Good vs. Evil. It will not be easy. The other side is vicious and will attempt to tear you down. They will curse you, your family and attempt to destroy all you love. They mimic the very effects of what drugs do to a human being.

Martin Luther King said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” If those of faith do not engage in this moral battle, it will be our children, and our children’s children who will bear the burden of that inaction.

Time is short. Without you, we will fail. Therefore, we pass the torch to the faith-leaders to guide us all. Pope Francis has given his direction. It’s time to lead, my friends.

Paul R. Chabot, Ed.D, MPA, is president of the Coalition for a Drug Free California and author of “Eternal Battle against Evil” (www.battleevil.com)

DRUG FREE AMERICA FOUNDATION, INC.’S RESPONSE TO ATTORNEY GENERAL HOLDER’S ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT CHANGING MANDATORY MINIMUM GUIDELINES

While improvements to drug policy and the criminal justice system are certainly needed, we, as a nation, need to remember that both violent crime and drug use in America have declined significantly over the past 3 decades.  One must conclude then that we have obviously done some things right. 

Until legalization advocates initiated well-financed campaigns to normalize and legalize drugs in the early 1990s, with an emphasis on the legalization of marijuana under the guise of medicine, we had made tremendous progress in pushing back against drugs, actually reducing overall drug use in America by greater than 50%.  

Our nation’s drug epidemic peaked when in 1978, according to the Monitoring the Future report, 10.7% of 12^th graders reported smoking marijuana daily.  By 1992, those rates dipped to a low of 1.9%, an astounding 80% decline.  Since the launch of those pro-drug campaigns, we have slowly been slipping back to the old mindset of “Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out.” In 1997, following the passage of Proposition 215 which legalized marijuana as a so-called medicine in 1996, daily use of marijuana by 12^th graders jumped to 5.8% and in 2012, it rose again to 6.5%.

Attorney General Holder could do much to help us move in the direction of further reduction of drug use if he would respect the duties of his job and enforce our federal marijuana laws in Colorado and Washington where so-called recreational use of pot is now allowed.  He also could take decisive action to stop the legalization of marijuana under the guise of medicine that is spreading across the country.  Drug prevention and treatment groups and law enforcement officials have repeatedly and directly asked for his help on this issue now for almost a year, and he continues to ignore our pleas while lives are damaged every single day from the abuses of marijuana.

Some of AG Holder’s recent comments about revamping the mandatory minimum guidelines are rather confusing because, in reality, people rarely get charged in federal court for simple possession charges (a misdemeanor). And if they do, it is usually because of other related charges like firearms, immigration, or a serious criminal history, and the drug charge has very little to do with the ultimate sentence.  Less than 1% of offenders are in prison for simple possession and these have typically pled down from much more serious crimes.

Mandatory minimum guidelines were instituted as a result of a bi-partisan commission and involved both congressional and judicial input to, among other things, address inequities in sentencing and provide national uniformity. They have also been a tremendous leveraging tool to find and prosecute the “Big Fish” while allowing the small-time drug peddlers to be diverted to alternative programs.  

Eliminating mandatory minimums could actually resurrect the problems that they were intended to fix in the first place. The fact that violent crime and drug use in America have been declining should seriously be considered before we reverse the directions and policies that may be contributing to these declines.

Regarding Holder’s comments on rehabilitation and releases, we need a full spectrum approach that includes a working recovery system and a direct linkage to a job for those in recovery or being released. Just releasing prisoners is not going to improve anything and can be argued to be a form of political grandstanding. It may appear to reduce incarceration costs but the real costs to society will likely go up if we are releasing prisoners that are going to be back into our neighborhoods to sell drugs and commit crimes to support their habits or to compensate for their lack of real life ability and skills to cope with life on the outside.

We need more clarity from Mr. Holder about what his total plan includes. The devil is always in the details and details are rarely, if ever, contained in speeches. There is reason for all Americans to be concerned without a more in-depth policy description.

Drug Free America Foundation urges AG Holder to support drug courts and other diversion programs that hold drug users accountable while requiring them to stop using drugs, to support programs to help those incarcerated return to productive lives free of drugs, and to continue to exact swift and significant penalties upon drug traffickers that target and endanger our children.  We further call upon Mr. Holder to uphold his duty to enforce federal marijuana laws in Colorado and Washington and bring our nation back into compliance with our international treaty obligations!

Contact information:  Lana Beck, Communications Director

                                    Telephone: 727-828-0211, ext 102 or 727-403-7571

                                    Email: lbeck@dfaf.org

                                    Website: www.dfaf.org

Drug Free America Foundation Commends Grazie Media for Pulling Deceptive MJ ads at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

For Immediate Release

For More Information Contact: Lana Beck 

(727) 828-0211 or (727) 403-7571

Drug Free America Foundation Commends Grazie Media

For Pulling Deceptive Marijuana Ads at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

(St. Petersburg, FL) A Newly released ad claiming “marijuana is safer than alcohol” is being pulled from in front of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where the NASCAR Brickyard 400 is currently underway.

This ad was misleading and promoted an illegal activity in the state of Indiana. Grazie Media, the company that owns the jumbotron in front of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, made the decision to pull this deceptive advertising campaign. 

"Grazie Media does not, in any way, shape or form, support the use of marijuana nor the promotion of illegal drugs at a family event," said Vanessa Wojtala, CEO, Director of Programming at Grazie Media.

“This campaign falsely claims marijuana is safer than alcohol and promotes illicit drug use in a state where marijuana is illegal,” said Calvina Fay, executive director of Drug Free America Foundation and Save Our Society From Drugs. “It is irresponsible marketing and I commend Grazie Media for their swift action towards the removal of this ad,” concluded Fay.

If you would like to set up an interview about this issue with Calvina Fay, or other drug policy experts, please contact Lana Beck at (727) 828-0211 or (727) 403-7571.

Drug Free America Foundation, Inc. is a national and international drug policy organization promoting effective sound drug policies, education and prevention. www.dfaf.org.

Save Our Society From Drugs (S.O.S.) takes a comprehensive approach to promote sound drug policy that includes education, prevention, abstinence-based treatment, scientific research, and community awareness. www.saveoursociety.org.

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Drug Free America Foundation Releases Facts about So-Called "Medical Marijuana"

Source:  www.dfaf.org 

In this 1993 video footage, the true intention of medical marijuana was captured on camera:

Drug Free America Foundation and Hillsborough County Anti Drug Alliance join Florida Governor Rick Scott as he Signs Bills to Aid Victims of Human Trafficking and Stop Drug Cartels

HCADA Director Cindy Grant attended an event today at the Drug Free America Foundation headquarters in St. Pete. Governor Rick Scott signed bills that help protect human trafficking victims. Florida is No. 3 in the country for frequency of human trafficking.

At the bill-signing event, Rep. Darryl Rouson said human trafficking is the second-largest source of income for Mexican drug cartels. He urged citizens to fight human trafficking by supporting organizations like the Drug Free America Foundation.

Source:  Drug Free America Foundation

Source:  Hillsborough County Anti Drug Alliance

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, 23 AG's Target Urban Outfitters 'Prescription Line' with Letter

Source:  Drug Free America Foundation 
Source:  www.abcactionnews.com

USA Today: Marijuana's celebrity stigma goes up in smoke. Young stars are acknowledging, if not celebrating, their cannabis consumption.

The toke torch is being passed in Tinseltown.

It used to be that Hollywood potheads were grizzled and off-the-mainstream grid — think Cheech & Chong and Willie Nelson. Then edgy rappers like Snoop Dogg and Cypress Hill became the famous faces of marijuana, with a couple of mischievous Texans thrown in: Woody Harrelson and a naked-and-bong-playing Matthew McConaughey.

Today's stars caught with cannabis? Meet the mostly twentysomething toke turks: They're the antithesis of counterculture, including heartthrobs like Justin Bieber, Chace Crawford, Michael Phelps and Armie Hammer. And then there's Rihanna, who readily flaunts her affection for the illegal flora, posting pictures of her Valentine's present (a bouquet of weed), 25th birthday cake (adorned with a gilded marijuana leaf) and Christmastime tush tattoo (yep, another leaf of weed).

Two years ago Lady Gaga told Anderson Cooper on60 Minutes: "I smoke a lot of pot when I write music." Justin Timberlake was casually candid to Playboy about his cannabis use: "Some people are just better high." Last year Kristen Stewart told Vanity Fair her pot-smoking was no "big deal."

The transgressions and admissions are clearly not affecting these young celebrities' careers: Bieber cheekily apologized in a Saturday Night Live spoof last month; Rihanna seemed to get as many high fives as head shakes for her ganja gift. On New Year's Eve, Frank Ocean got cited for pot possession in California. Three days later, he tweeted the following formality: "hi guys, i smoke pot. ok guys, bye." And the issue all but went up in smoke.

Ditto Crawford and Hammer, who were each arrested in Texas for marijuana possession, in 2010 and 2011 respectively. In 2009, a British tabloid infamously ran a photo of Phelps inhaling from a bong. The swimmer swiftly apologized in a statement and, in a big barometer of public approval, lost only one major sponsor — Kellogg. Subway, Speedo and Omega kept their deals afloat. The incident proved more P.R. puddle than tsunami.

It was a far cry from what befell Jennifer Capriati when she was busted for pot possession in 1994 at age 18: The tennis prodigy lost valuable endorsements, including contracts with Diadora clothing and Prince rackets and a reported three-year, $2 million deal with Oil of Olay. Capriati became better known for her nose-ring-adorned mug shot than her moisturizer advertising spot.

Nowadays, when stars and marijuana mix, "nobody cares. Society has moved on," says Howard Bragman, a longtime Hollywood publicist and the vice chairman of Reputation.com, a reputation management company. "It's not in the top 10 of what bad things celebrities can do. I would much rather have a client get caught smoking a joint than a DUI. One is potential harm to yourself and one is potential harm to other people, and that's a huge" difference.

"Nobody smokes a joint and gets violent," Bragman continues. "They get violent with a bag of Doritos. That's about the worst thing that happens."

Igniting pot's shift into pop, of course, is the marijuana legalization movement, which gained major momentum in November, when measures passed in Colorado and Washington state. Last year the number of states allowing medical marijuana use rose to 18 plus Washington, D.C.

Attitudes have relaxed. A late November USA TODAY/Gallup poll found that nearly half (48%) of Americans think marijuana should be legal. Among 18- to 29-year-olds, a robust 60% said yes to legalization. Only about a third of the country approved of such initiatives as recently as 2005. And when Gallup first asked about the issue back in 1969, a mere 12% supported legalizing pot.

"As more states embrace marijuana law reform, the cultural stigma surrounding cannabis will continue to wane, thus opening the door for more public figures to express their support and be more candid regarding their own private cannabis consumption," says Paul Armentano, deputy director for NORML, the marijuana decriminalization organization.

And the movement is happy to embrace these new pot poster kids. "The truth about mainstream artists coming out of the closet openly about cannabis is that the younger generation has come to form a natural alliance with their parents and baby boomers," says Norm Kent, the chair of the board of directors of NORML. "NORML welcomes partners from senior citizens to radio hosts, from pop artists to Olympic athletes who have shared their bongs with buddies."

Indeed, "I promise the parents of Bieber kids smoked pot," Bragman says, "and I think that's the big factor" in why the pop prince went relatively unscathed for blazing up a blunt early this year.

Even some of their grandparents smoked pot, and still do. Tommy Chong, who, at 74, is the age of many a Bieber fan's grandfather, says the recent rash of young star smokers "validates what I've known all my life," that marijuana stokes his artistic spark. "I directed five major motion pictures and won a Grammy for writing comedy. And I owe it all to marijuana, because it wasn't until I found the weed that I became creative … that things started to flow for me." He's cut way back these days personally, but professionally, he's still got a buzz: the new Cheech and Chong's Animated Movie gets a limited theatrical release on April 18 (yes, perfectly synced to the 4-20 high holiday).

Chong, a NORML advisory board member for 10 years, says he's "very proud" of this new generation of reefer respect. "These talented kids are realizing the benefits of pot and they're indulging."

And they're helping fuel society's tolerance for pot. "One way in which pot can become normalized and more accepted is if people who are admired by the general public are seen admitting to enjoying it and it's not some horrible demon drug," says Mike Hughes, a reporter for High Times, the pro-cannabis legalization magazine, and the host of The High Times News Hit, a marijuana news podcast.

All of which, not surprisingly, unsettles members of the anti-cannabis community. "It's extremely unfortunate and very irresponsible of (young stars) to promote this kind of a lifestyle to young people. Whether we like it or not, they are role models," says Calvina Fay, executive director of the Drug Free American Foundation, who has noticed Hollywood's trend toward mainstream marijuana use. "It's just really the wrong message to be sending."

"We really need to protect our children from this, not give them permission to smoke pot," Fay says. Until 2012, marijuana use among teens increased for four straight years, according to the annual Monitoring the Future survey, sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Last year, the rates flattened, to 36%, 28% and 11% for 12th-, 10th- and 8th-graders, respectively. Since 1991, the percentage of teens who see "great risk" in using pot regularly has steeply declined.

When Emerson College marketing communications professor Kristin Lieb asked a class of juniors and seniors about celebrities and pot, they shrugged off the issue. "To them, it's a recreational drug used recreationally that isn't very threatening to anyone," says Lieb, author of the just-released book Gender, Branding and the Modern Music Industry: The Social Construction of Female Popular Music Stars.

"For the generation of fans that make up these celebrities' primary fan base — ages 12 to 34, let's say — marijuana just isn't 'bad' anymore. And if its use is normalized, then the 'revelation' of use by a celebrity isn't a revelation at all," says Anne Helen Petersen is a film and media studies professor at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., who's at work on a book about scandal and Hollywood.

What would be problematic when it comes to stars and drugs? "They wouldn't want to see one of their favorite artists take meth because it might mean they are hurting themselves," Lieb says about her Boston students.

No wonder Gaga and Rihanna aren't concerned about going public with their cannabis consumption: "It's just not that big of a deal within their target markets," Lieb says. (And no wonder Bieber did apologize: His market skews far younger.) "For Lady Gaga, this might be the least controversial thing she's done in her career," Lieb says.

For Rihanna, celebrating pot "will not even register as blip on anyone's radar screen," she says. "Her lyrics are going to get way more attention than her smoking a joint." (Remember her 2011 song S&M?) "Rihanna's brand is aggressively unwholesome," and indeed, "her marijuana consumption is an integral part of her brand identity."

Nor will she, or any of these smoking stars, register as a chirp on any police scanner. "Marijuana is probably at the bottom of the list of things that prosecutors want to prosecute, especially when you're talking about small amounts" for personal use, such as a joint or dime bag, says New York criminal defense and trial attorney Stuart Slotnick. "You can't prosecute when you don't actually have marijuana," he says. "You may believe it's marijuana in the picture, but you cannot prove that case beyond a reasonable doubt."

The authorities get interested when large quantities are involved. "Law enforcement is concerned with people who deal marijuana and not so much with people who smoke marijuana," Slotnick says. "This is a personal choice and a personal lifestyle that's more and more accepted by society today. While it may be offensive to some people, it's not likely to get great attention by law enforcement."

A celebrity's image takes a P.R. hit, however, when taking a hit is seen as off-brand. "Culturally, we can't stand a hypocrite," Lieb says. And sure, Bieber's foray into illegal fumes was brand-detouring, but it was also humanizing. "Here is this 19-year-old boy growing up in the public making the sort of mistakes that other 19-year-olds make," Lieb says. "It reminds us that he is becoming a grown-up and probably is going to want to make different kinds of music." And "anything that sort of ages his brand is something that could be useful in building a long-term brand strategy."

Which points to the upside of a celebrity's brush with weed: It can burnish an image. Lady Gaga's acknowledgment "only makes her cooler," Hughes says.

But as more mainstream stars embrace pot and as pot becomes more mainstream, does pot undergo an existential crisis -- does it lose its, well, cool?

Hughes remembers when, eight years ago, Urban Outfitters started selling a pot cookbook kit complete with marijuana-leaf-shaped cookie cutters. "At the time, it occurred to me that the reason pot is — and has been — so cool is because of its history of being anti-establishment. So the idea of the establishment endorsing it and turning it into mainstream pop culture struck me as the antithesis of what pot stands for."

But "the marijuana movement needs to be embraced by the establishment in order to progress. And pot hasn't lost any of its 'cool' factor as it has received increasing mainstream support."

Still, Hughes foresees a potentially flipped future for the formerly derided drug. "It is possible that, years down the line — assuming pot is consistently embraced by the blandest of mainstream celebrities — there could be a backlash against pot in which teenagers choose to rebel by not smoking."

Source:  www.usatoday.com