Cops on the Hill: Stories from the week of September 17, 2021

Knocked my Socks Off;

I was having another solid week of presentations this week, when I opened an email from a Facebook investigator.  She was researching a post which FB had deleted regarding the drug ayahuasca.  She was asking “drug policy experts” to submit in writing their views/information on the topic.

No, I have no idea why she chose me and others.  I stated I was honored to be asked and this was

My response:

I am not a doctor.  I have received no medical training.  I have never used nor been near anyone who was using ayahuasca.  I have been involved in shaping drug policy (illegal drugs) since 1998, the last 16 full-time in the US Congress.

My best information is:

I have had substantive discussions with 3 military veterans who had received a guided experience with LSD, etc and the results were life-changing positive.  This was at a briefing, sponsored by a Congressman in December 2019.

Ayahuasca is a substance which has the potential to have a medium to severe impact on a person’s mind.  It is roughly in the same category as other hallucinogens like LSD, Psilocybin, etc.  There is anecdotal evidence that when given to a person by an experienced mental health advisor that improvements can be made to one’s mental health, particularly in the area of PTSD.  That said, the drug is powerful enough to damage one’s mental health, if not consumed properly.  Ayahuasca is absolutely not a play toy.  It should only be used in a controlled, professional setting.

Whether FB should delete a person’s experience with the drug, or ban encouraging the drug, or allow testimonials which ignore the risks…. this is beyond my pay grade.

Respectfully submitted,

Howard J. Wooldridge

Detective, Bath Township PD, Retired

Drug Policy Specialist, Citizens Opposing Prohibition

Holidays:  I leave on Monday for a 5 week break in western Europe.  I will do a little bit of business on two days.  I have a meeting with Swiss Health Ministry officials on the 28^th (in French) in Bern to learn the updates in their Heroin Treatment approach.

In early October I will spend a day near Frankfurt, Germany being interviewed and videoed by a cop who represents LEAP Germany.  They believe my views may help them convince the politicians in Berlin to end their drug prohibition.

The next newsletter will be October 29.

Stay Healthy

This week:

3679 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 09 this week..

Meetings this week:  01-Grover’s center-right

COP stats since inception: August 2009

398 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.: 0 this week –

330 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0

92 Radio Interviews… 0 this week

207 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week.

107 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week

44 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters

31 major conferences attended – (UN drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week

Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”

* Consider being a member of COP at $40.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 40 dollars buys all the copy paper COP uses in one year. Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org