Judge Gray is a maverick in the world of drug policy and prohibition reform. Is this what America needs? Is the cost to fight the flow of drugs into America and eradicate all drug use just too much? What do you think? Judge Jim Gray is a man on a mission. Here are just a few quotes off his website; JUDGE JIM GRAY: “…At one point, I held the record for the largest drug prosecution in the Los Angeles area: 75 kilos of heroin, which was and is a lot of narcotics…” “…if we really want to deal a major blow to bin Laden and other terrorists around the world, we should repeal drug prohibition..” “…Without making allowances for any of these distinctions, we have attempted to incarcerate our way out of our drug-use problems…” “…That reminds me of the old saying, “If all you have is a hammer, everything you see looks like a nail….” “…Forget “zero tolerance” and recognize that for a tiny percentage of the population, drug use will persist…” “…The United States is now building a new prison every week to cope with the people serving mandatory minimum sentences for drug possession…” “…Today there are literally thousands of people in our state prisons because they did nothing but smoke marijuana…” You can also see hear some of his latest thoughts on the May 16th show archive from Coast to Coast. Always interested in all of your opinions. Fire up the debate! Lets get some work done!
DadOnFire
On fire about the impact of addiction and need for solutions
DadOnFire 
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May 22, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Barbara
Judge Gray is one of my heroes…so are you. Thanks for keeping us up to date and informed on this important issue.
June 10, 2010 at 6:07 am
Christy
I disagree with Judge Gray. Legalization is going to increase drug abuse and addiction because drugs will be easier to get and cheaper. Families need help dealing with addicts and the criminal justice system can help through drug courts. The Obama plan to link the criminal justice system and treatment is better than legalization. By the way, marijuana is not a benign drug. Legalization of marijuana will create more of a drug culture and foster more addiction. Marijuana itself is addictive and more people have marijuana addictions than addictions to all other drugs. Marijuana works on the brain like other drugs to create addiction and keeps cross addiction going. There are other ways to deal with the drug problem than legalization–that just sends the message that drugs are okay–
June 10, 2010 at 11:27 am
Bill
Not taking a strong stand one way or the other for the moment. I have thought out your points quite a bit. Thanks.
August 27, 2010 at 9:32 am
Susan Lea
C-Span recently televised a report by Joseph Califano with the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. This report was in depth and painfully fascinating. I encourage every person interested in the problem of drug use in the U.S. to watch or read his report. It was released on August 19th and can be accessed online under the CASA or C-Span.
The annual survey showed a 39% jump in Middle Schoolers reporting drug use on school grounds. I think a lot of parents of middle school kids already suspect this but the principals and superintendants are frequently in denial. Joseph Califano said that there would be outrage in the community if there was a contagious disease epidemic. But people are not showing outrage with the schools and community over the epidemic of drug use.
September 3, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Guinevere
Califano is one of the most reasonable and intelligent voices speaking today about drug policy. He’s right about the contagious disease metaphor… He’s also right about the comparisons he’s drawn between addiction and AIDS.
I don’t claim to be a policy expert (just talk to them, try to get them on the phone)… but I am so not interested in talking about more and more prosecution.
Progressive legislation: Moeller’s in WA.
Look at the statistics: where is addiction “on fire”? in the doctor’s offices. People are becoming addicted after seeking pain treatment, and then they move to heroin because it’s cheaper. That’s when the crimes begin… Let’s teach physicians how to prevent addiction, and how to recognize it once it happens on their watches. with every good wish, –G