May 19, 2005
ACTION ALERT: NEEDLE EXCHANGE THREATENED
Congress to Require You to Spy on Your Friends and FamilyCongress is debating legislation right now that would make it a federal crime--punishable by up to three years in prison--to provide anyone with sterile syringes. Introduced by Congressman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), the cynically named Safe Access to Drug Treatment and Child Protection Act (H.R. 1528) has already passed out of subcommittee. Sensenbrenner now aims to line up the votes he needs to get it out of the full committee-after which it would go to the floor for a full House vote.
The bill would also require you to spy on all your family members, friends and neighbors and report their drug offenses to the police. Refusing to become a spy for the government would be punishable by a mandatory prison sentence of at least two years. Please take action today at:
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=26179&ms=Sensen-friends
Currently, federal law makes it a federal crime only to sell drug paraphernalia (which includes syringes). H.R. 1528 would make it a federal crime, punishable by up to three years in federal prison, to provide anyone with a sterile syringe (except in instances in which it is explicitly authorized by local or state law). If enacted, it would make many needle-exchange workers subject to federal prosecution. The legislation is so harsh that it also imposes a two-year mandatory prison sentence on anyone that gives a syringe to a minor. (For instance, a 17-year old who gives his 17-year old friend or partner a sterile syringe would automatically be subject to two years in prison.)
As if this isnt bad enough, H.R. 1528 also forces everyone to become a government spy. If you witness certain drug offenses taking place or learn that they took place, you would have to report the offense to law enforcement within 24 hours and provide full assistance in the investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of the people involved. Failure to do so would be a crime punishable by a mandatory two year prison sentence.
Here are some examples of offenses you would have to report to the police within 24 hours:
>You find out that your daughter begged her boyfriend to find her some drugs, even though they're both in treatment.
>You find out that your brother, who has kids, recently bought a small amount of marijuana to share with his wife.
>Someone with substance abuse problems whom you're trying to help mentions that he recently bought drugs in a public park.
In each of these cases, you face jail time if you don't call the police within 24 hours. It doesn't matter if the offender is your friend or relative. It also doesn't matter if you need 48 hours to think about it. You have to report the person to the government within 24 hours or go to jail. You also have to assist the government in every way, including wearing a wire if needed. Refusing to cooperate would cost you at least two years in prison (possibly up to 10). In addition to turning family member against family member, the legislation could also put many Americans into dangerous situations by forcing them to go undercover to gain evidence against strangers.
H.R. 1528 also establishes new draconian penalties for a variety of non-violent drug offenses, including:
>10 years for mothers with substance-abuse problems who commit certain drug offenses at home (even if their children are not at home at the time).
>five years for any person with substance-abuse problems who begs their friend in drug treatment to find them some drugs.
Unless tens of thousands of Americans speak up, this bill could become law. Here's what you can do:
>Tell your U.S. Representative to oppose H.R. 1528:
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=26179&ms=Sensen-friends
->Forward this e-mail to everyone you know.
>Click here to read the full text of H.R. 1528 and learn more:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h109-1528