What I mean by the question, is that when you're working in the 'mainstream' drug legalization movement, it feels like you're seeing victory in every corner. Portugal's success in legalizing all drugs is a resounding success, we are seeing legal and medicinal marijuana hit the streets across the US. In Canada new safe injection sites are set to open in Montreal and Toronto despite nearly being shut down in Vancouver not so long ago. We are seeing prescribed Heroin becoming a success story in three major European countries... I could go on. And that's not even mentioning the media, which for years has shoveled out drug war propaganda without hardly a peep in the other direction. Now when we see or hear a story on the drug war, its either balanced or favorable (yes, there's still the odd 'oxy is the new heroin!/ heroin is the new heroin!) article, but even they more often than not will at least lay out some facts about drug war failures. The Washington Post did a three part series on police stop and seize tactics that should win a Pulitzer.
But....
As an opiate user who's on a methadone maintenance program, I almost feel our victory(s) could turn into a very nasty sort of defeat if we don't get out there and push for full legalization. Up till three weeks ago I was on full carries (only had to go into pharmacy weekly to pick up doses), and had been for three + years. I've used regularly on treatment, but never tested positive because the urine tests they use don't show anything for fentanyl, my DOC. Three weeks ago I was let go from a job with a mental health advocacy organization, its a long story but I'll just say that you shouldn't take calls from your boss at night after taking zopiclone (similar to zolipidem for those of you in the States- you are uninhibited to say the least). Anyways, I had planned on leaving my positio soon (something I believe I told my boss on the phone), so it was a fairly seamless transition. That is, until I showed up at the pharmacy to pick up my doses. I was told that all carries had been taken away, and I would have to come in daily. I called the methadone clinic, and it turns out my boss had phoned them and told them she had talked to me late at night and I was 'out of sorts' and that maybe it was methadone related (I told my boss about the methadone in confidence, as I'm fairly outspoken about my drug use). The Mdone Dr. said it was their right to take away carries as they saw fit, and since I was out of work it shouldn't be an inconvenience. I know, that in the grand scheme of the drug war, a Dr. playing God with meds just for the hell of it is low on the list of abuses, but for me its a glimpse of whats down the road for everyone if we move in a 'decriminalization and treatment' direction and not a 'legalization. period' direction.
So I guess my question is, who's out there doing this work that people feel is having an effect? I've heard good things about VANDU and INPUD, Jacob Sullum is a great writer for the cause. But where would the best place be for someone to get out and get involved?
But....
As an opiate user who's on a methadone maintenance program, I almost feel our victory(s) could turn into a very nasty sort of defeat if we don't get out there and push for full legalization. Up till three weeks ago I was on full carries (only had to go into pharmacy weekly to pick up doses), and had been for three + years. I've used regularly on treatment, but never tested positive because the urine tests they use don't show anything for fentanyl, my DOC. Three weeks ago I was let go from a job with a mental health advocacy organization, its a long story but I'll just say that you shouldn't take calls from your boss at night after taking zopiclone (similar to zolipidem for those of you in the States- you are uninhibited to say the least). Anyways, I had planned on leaving my positio soon (something I believe I told my boss on the phone), so it was a fairly seamless transition. That is, until I showed up at the pharmacy to pick up my doses. I was told that all carries had been taken away, and I would have to come in daily. I called the methadone clinic, and it turns out my boss had phoned them and told them she had talked to me late at night and I was 'out of sorts' and that maybe it was methadone related (I told my boss about the methadone in confidence, as I'm fairly outspoken about my drug use). The Mdone Dr. said it was their right to take away carries as they saw fit, and since I was out of work it shouldn't be an inconvenience. I know, that in the grand scheme of the drug war, a Dr. playing God with meds just for the hell of it is low on the list of abuses, but for me its a glimpse of whats down the road for everyone if we move in a 'decriminalization and treatment' direction and not a 'legalization. period' direction.
So I guess my question is, who's out there doing this work that people feel is having an effect? I've heard good things about VANDU and INPUD, Jacob Sullum is a great writer for the cause. But where would the best place be for someone to get out and get involved?