> I admit I have a 'special' interest in yer huevos where it comes to undermining the drug war.

Let me assure you, my 'huevos' have nothing to do with it =]

I try to undermine the drug war of aggression with my mind, by educating myself and by sharing whatever I know wherever I can and wherever such sharing is well received. If applicable, an open and hopefully mutually beneficial exchange is always preferred. Remaining open minded, non judgemental and compassionate is key. Being honest with yourself is paramount. I can spot self deceivers half way around the globe :)

I'm no elitist or intellectual snob. I don't believe in keeping many secrets. Well, maybe a few for good measure, but certainly not any knowledge which can possibly help others. I'm a strong advocate of harm reduction. Special "clubs" and cults and such are not my cup of tea. Neither are self styled guru-wanna-bes, spiritually pretentious westerners, magic potion-X charlatans, any and all questing for recognition and fame based on certain precious exclusive truth, self proclaimed saviors of the masses, granola sprouting half-baked pseudo-self help uttering freeloaders.... ... ... you get what I'm saying =]

Information wants to be free. As does the mind. Every thought is a thought in the mind of the universe.
Know thyself -- open thyself => circle complete.

> I noticed that the black market body parts trade runs along heroine networks.

Seems logical; an easy partnership amongst those with few to no moral restraints, sharing a singular objective...

> mass-appeal incentives to end to the drug war

Would take dismantling the prison economy (yes, ECONOMY) in the States where 60+ % of all convictions are based on drug "offenses." Highest per capita prison population of the world may be found in "the land of the free" indeed. GRINS.

Would take a complete overhaul of the medical industry and big pharma's way of doing business too, not to mention dissolving its political influence. If there is something in this world which is truly evil, it is big pharma (closely followed by the offense industry and big oil). Big pharma is creating the prison pupulation of the future as we speak. Business is good.

> Addicts are less likely to get help, & are more likely to die.

True. Europe in general utilises a more progressive and compassionate approach. Addicts are victims of sorts and require help, not punishment. Punishing the weak for being weak is a fascist mindset. Passing out clean needles to heroin addicts, for one, WORKS, if you're trying to curb the spread of AIDS amongst others. Drug users aren't criminals and shouldn't be treated as such for abusing their own bodies. Of course, drug abuse can lead to crime, but that's another story. Guilty by suspicion is a thing of the past... or is it?

Speaking for western (N/W) Europe, users rarely end up in jail. Only those who move in large quantities. Sentences for identical infractions still represent only a fraction of those which apply in the States, amongst other less progressive places in the world. Drum and Bass DJ/producer Grooverider got nabbed not too long ago somewhere in one of the Arab Emirates for having -accidentally- left a bit of weed sitting in one of his jacket's pockets and got five years jail time for it. WHAAAAT!!?? The real crime is the sentence itself. A man in Oklahoma got life in jail for having a bunch of plants growing in his basement. Siiiiiiiiigh...

> how does the drug war silence those (of us) who suffer violence in the home?

I don't know. I've seen addict hetero couples in which the male was abusive. The woman in a heterosexual relationship is less likely to call the cops or call for any other type of attention when there is a risk of getting busted herself for being an addict... and certainly when children are involved to which she'd risk losing custody to the state. Needless to say, drug abuse and home violence makes for a socially, psychologically, economically and legally complex situation.

> Do you have experience in this area?

Not professionally, officially or otherwise actively, if that is what you mean.

> Is there a way to address this issue without infringing on men's rights?

Yes, for one by making laws less Draconian. Let me help you help me help you. LOL! The system itself creates and perpetuates the problem. The system is also wide open to abuse. What type of results can one expect from a broken system which attempts to fix broken people? Physical abuse is one thing. What about mental/psychological abuse, which imho can cause far more long term damage? What about alcohol infused child abuse? What about the price we all pay due to an unjust system? Where do we begin to tackle such a monumental task? All things considered, at the economic level, if you ask me...

> Also, addicts (victims/perpetrators) who seek help only receive it on condition that they are clean.

Such is the case in the states indeed. Totally preposterous. What total utter backwards nonsense!! Chris is right. a) it promotes dishonest behaviour and undermines such noble concepts as patient-doctor(/or other) confidentiality and b) an addict needs assistance the most when he/she is addicted and on the streets. Yeah, come to me when you've taken care of your problem to talk about how we're going to take care of your problem. Your culprit: privatised health care. Privatised healthcare and education only benefits middle class to upper class demographics (if even!). Certain aspects of society ought to remain socialised. Health and education are -to me- two inalienable rights which are guaranteed best (when considering all practical real world aspects) in socialised form. If everyone indeed gets an equal chance in life and an equal shot at success -even in a free market economy- then these two aspects ought to be considered as given basics. Reality tends to disagree (with the everyone gets an equal shot in life hypothesis).

> Addicts & their families (women & children) are turned away from shelters, denied food stamps etc..

Royally fucked up.

> Most people who suffer domestic violence desire keeping the family intact. They just want the violence to stop.

Right!

> The system does not respect this need.

The system is fuct. It has no soul. It operates without a conscience. It is a corporation, out to make the bottom line. Politics, healthcare, justice, the courts... all are driven by money. The system is incorporated (Americorp). It opposes euthanasia, not on compassionate grounds but to secure its dominion whilst maintaining many paradoxes (maintaining the death sentence)... Every citizen is officially considered "a revenue generating entity." Says so exactly in IRS literature. Ach du lieber August!

Emerge seems like a great organisation!

> I will be contacting Emerge, soon for personal reasons.

Are you experiencing some sort of domestic challenge or something? I hope not... But if you are, best of luck with that!


Another funny clip BTW ;-)

Blessings,
d.