COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of March 3, 2017

COP on the Hill:

Stories from the week of March 3, 2017

Off Message:

Background – as you know, we had an increase in the number of citizens who died last year from heroin/opioid abuse issues.

Therefore, I spent my week opening 135 doors in Cannon and Longworth to distribute the summary of how the Swiss effectively deal with the same problem.

My pitch was:

‘I represent police officers who believe – if you have a drug problem see a doctor. Specifically, this morning, I am here on behalf of the 38,000 who died last year from heroin/Oxycodone OD. And the 30,000 who died the year before and 20,000 the year before that. (handing the receptionist a single sheet w/ Swiss program) This is for your health LA (legislative assistant). And who is your colleague for health? — taking their business card…Plz advise ‘Sean’ that the Swiss approach is very much pro-life, as they want their citizens to survive their addiction. Second, this document has been approved by the Swiss govt for distribution to the Congress. I do not want you to think some cowboy wandered in from the hallway with ideas on how fix a health problem.’ (90% of the receptionists will smile at this – note there is complete lack of any humor in their jobs, as EVERYONE comes in so very serious about whatever issue they are promoting).
I finish saying,’ if ‘Sean’ has questions I have been to the Swiss clinics and can answer many questions. Or, the contact info for the Swiss Health Ministry is at the top. I met that person in Geneva last year and her English is better than mine.’ Smiles from the staffer.
I should note that an average of two staffers heard this mini-presentation. Sometimes the receptionist grabbed the health LA, so I could expand on the whole program.
To contact all 535 offices is going to take the entire month of March. The COP mission remains to end drug prohibition. However, in the month of March, I feel a responsibility to help the million or so citizens who are addicted to heroin/Oxy, of whom another 40,000 are projected to die this year. I did the same mission in January of 2016 w/o any success. Nonetheless, it is worth a second attempt.

This week’s stats:
135 offices visited for a mini-presentation of the Swiss HAT program
170 personal chats with a Member of Congress.. 01 this week
2327 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 17 this week
2 meetings

COP stats since inception: August 2009
205 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000).. 0 this week
42 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
75 Radio Interviews. 00this week
72 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media..This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss. French TV and radio) 00 this week
148 interviews and reports in minor media = 00 this week.
26 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc) 00 this week (CPAC)

* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
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 $30.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 30 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org