Stories from the week of November 4, 2011

COP on the Hill

November 4, 2011

Your Voice in the United States Congress

What keeps me going:  While away this week at the bi-annual, international drug conference (Drug Policy Alliance’s), I received this from a Senate staffer I met last week.

Hi Howard,

 Thank you very much for your time as well.  It is definitely a delicate subject, but I will bring it up with the Senator and see if we can find some common ground.  Keep in touch and please let us know of any new developments.

 Thanks,

xxxxxxx

Another aide I have known for three years ended our follow-up meeting saying, I was doing ‘yeoman’s work’ defined by Webster as = exceptionally good, useful or loyal service or assistance. ..  I had to look it up.

Good to see you again:  Karen and I flew to Los Angeles Wednesday morning for the four day, bi-annual drug conference of the Drug Policy Alliance.  Meeting those I knew and chatting to new attendees lifted my spirits, knowing that so many are involved in the struggle.  A new record -1500 – filled the rooms. 

Amongst several interviews and filming for documentaries, Karen and I attended an anti-drug rally in MacArthur Park.  Univision (national, Spanish TV) interviewed me and I was pleased, when they put me on for a 9 second sound bite on the evening news.  Many thanks to the person who told them I spoke Spanish.

 Stats for COP’s third year, started on August 1, 2011:

180 presentations to Congressional staffers:     this week

3 Letter to the Editor:   this week

2 Television appearance:  1 this week

5 Other media (blogs, cable TV, etc): 3 this week

3 radio shows:  1 this week

8 (Member of Congress) contacts:    this week

2 Major conferences attended: Drug Policy Alliance International,  Congressional Black Caucus annual

Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year.   All contributions are tax-deductible.   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.   If you agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow…  Go to: www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to: 

COP

POB 2902

Washington, DC  20013

If you have questions or comments, please send an email to: howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

COP total stats in first two years:  August 1, 2009 thru July 31, 2011)

 649 Presentations to Congressional staffers

22 Appearances on major TV networks

10 published interviews in newspapers

12 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, etc

57 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $56,000)

19 brief chats with Members of Congress

13 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, etc.

6 major conferences attended (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, etc)

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.