From [b--rd--n] at [netcom.com] Sat Dec 10 03:56:41 1994
Date: Sat, 10 Dec 1994 00:59:13 -0800
From: [b--rd--n] at [netcom.com] (David Borden)
Subject: NEWS RELEASE from the DRUG POLICY FOUNDATION
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Drug Reform Coordination Network (DRCNet)
Rapid Response Team
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WASHINGTON, DEC. 9 -- Reacting to news that President Clinton asked Surgeon
General Joycelyn Elders to resign today, Drug Policy Foundation Executive
Director David C. Condliffe issued the following statement:
"President Clinton knows what a tough, good woman he got rid of today. Joycelyn
Elders had the courage to say things that needed to be said. Today's news is a
great loss to the administration and to the nation.
Dr. Elders' opinion that drug legalization should be studied is correct. It's
too bad that President Clinton couldn't see that. The president's handlers
would
rather sweep the question under the rug and continue with failed drug policies
that promote violence and disease. Dr. Elders challenged that conspiracy of
silence and was attacked for it.
"Joycelyn Elders has been controversial because she pulls no punches.
Unfortunately, that attitude appears to be no longer welcome as the White House
repositions itself for the Newt era.
"If this president wants to succeed, he had better get some spine. Why is it
that in this country we have the money to research dozens of harmful things
like
new weapons systems, but we don't have the will to study potentially helpful
new
drug policies?"
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INSIDE KEVIN ELDERS' COCAINE BUST
The Drug Policy Foundation recently published the first in-depth examination of
the drug case against Kevin Elders. The Fall 1994 edition of _The Drug Policy
Letter_ offered new evidence to support Elders' claim that he was blackmailed
into making the cocaine sale. In July 1993, Elders sold a small amount of
cocaine to a former friend who was a paid police informant, after the informant
pressured Elders for weeks.
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THE DRUG POLICY FOUNDATION
CONTACT: CYNTHIA COTTS at (212) 228-3106
DAVE FRATELLO or ROB STEWART at (202) 537-5005
4455 Connecticut Ave., NW 888 Seventh Ave.
Suite B-500 Suite 1901
Washington, DC 20008 New York, NY 10106
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A United Press International newsclip on Friday December 9th described
both criticism of Elders from Republican lawmakers and praise from some
individuals outside government, including Kate Michelman, president of
the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, and David
Condliffe, executive director of the Drug Policy Foundation. House
Speaker-elect Newt Gingrich, Sen. Nancy Kassebaum, R-Kan., Rep. Marge
Roukema, R-N.J. and Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio all criticized Elders'
stance on drug legalization. Dr. Condliffe was quoted as saying
"[Elders] pulls no punches. Unfortunately, that attitude appears to be no
longer welcome as the White House repositions itself for the Newt era...
President Clinton knows what a tough, good woman he got rid of today...
Joycelyn Elders had the courage to say things that needed to be said."
Dr. Condliffe will appear on the NBC program "Today", at 7:00 AM EST,
Saturday morning December 10th.
Drug Reform Coordination Network, P.O. Box 381813, Cambridge, MA 02238-1813
(617) 648-2655 / (617) 646-0657 (temporary fax#) / email: [d r cnet] at [netcom.com]
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Peace Justice Freedom Compassion Truth
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END THE DRUG WAR
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- Origin: Forwarded through Dehnbase Rainbow (1:204/9)