By Maya Rhodan
NNPA Washington Correspondent

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – Although President Obama has yet to declare an end to the 40-year-old war on drugs, he has placed the weight of his office on viewing drug addiction as more than just a criminal justice issue.

Last Wednesday, Obama released his 2012 National Drug Control Strategy, which recognizes substance abuse as a “chronic disease of the brain that can be prevented and successfully treated.”

The president said, “…This Administration remains committed to a balanced public health and public safety approach to drug policy. This approach is based on science, not ideology – and scientific research suggests that we have made real progress.”

Richard Nixon declared America’s drug problem a public safety issue in 1972 and in the time since, the nation has remained the leader in illicit drug use and incarceration.

In 2011, a reported 22.5 million Americans over 12 have used illicit drugs, representing about 9 percent of the population, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and health. About 10 percent of Black people were reported as having problems with substance abuse, compared to 8.2 percent of Whites.

That’s about 4 million African Americans and 11 million Whites. In terms of the criminal consequences for involvement with drugs, however, the numbers flip.

Currently, America has the highest incarceration rate in the world , with African Americans representing about 45 percent of the total U.S. prison population, compared to 29 percent for Whites and 20 percent for Hispanics.

Despite drug use rates comparable to Whites, Blacks represent 38 percent of those arrested for drug offenses and 59 percent of those in state prisons for drug offenses.

Get tough strategies, such mandatory minimum sentencing and harsher punishment for crack cocaine use than for powder cocaine use, has contributed to the mass incarceration of African Americans that some are calling the “New Jim Crow.”

However, President Obama and Director of the National Drug Control Policy Gil Kerlikowske have outlined new tactics to approach the drug problem with an emphasis on prevention and treatment rather than just incarceration.

On a telephone conference call with reporters on Tuesday, a day before the strategy was publicly announced, Kerlikowske said, “It’s a public health issue, not just a criminal justice issue. Law enforcement plays a vital role, but we can’t arrest our way out of the drug problem.”

The national strategy promotes prevention by educating young people through community-based and national programs such as the Drug-Free Communities Support Program, as well as providing prevention strategies to law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and employers.

“Every dollar invested in schools has the potential to save up to $18 in costs based in substance abuse problems,” Kerlikowske said.

The strategy calls for an expansion of services that allow health care professionals to intervene at early stages of substance abuse. There is also a push for an increase in access to treatment for substance abuse problems. In 2011, among the 21.6 million Americans who needed treatment for substance abuse only 2.3 million received it.

“Early detection and treatment of a substance abuse problem by a health care professional is more effective and less costly than dealing with a chronic substance use disorder,” the strategy fact sheet observed.

The Affordable Care Act aids in the expansion of care to those with substance abuse problems by requiring insurance companies to provide coverage that treats substance abuse as it would any other chronic disease.

The Strategy will also impact criminal justice efforts by:

• Working to implement criminal justice reforms such as drug courts that send offenders to treatment instead of prison;
• Consider innovations in programs that connect offenders with community services to free up law enforcement resources and reduce rates of incarceration; and
• Expand global drug prevention initiatives. According to a recently released Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, the Office of National Drug Control Policy hasn’t made progress in achieving the majority of the goals of its 2010 Strategy, given overlap and an increase in marijuana use among 12 to 17-year-olds.

The GAO criticizes the ONDCP’s approach to abuse prevention, which is exacerbated by the reality of treatment and prevention programs being spread across a number of federal agencies that provide “overlapping services.”

In the report, the ONDCP agreed with the GAO’s suggestion and stated it will work with agencies to better coordination between them.

Although the changes in the updated strategy do not mark an official end to the war on drugs – something Kerlikowske says would not be a wise policy – they bring hope to organizations such as the NAACP which has been working to quell the mass incarceration of African Americans as a result of drug policies.

Hilary Shelton, NAACP senior vice president for policy and the director of the Washington Bureau of NAACP, said this move by the Obama administration “begins to reframe the pathway in our country as we address the issue of drugs.”

He said, “Our country is shifting and that is a good thing,” Shelton says. “I’m happy to see we have an administration that gets it, and a drug czar that is working to fix the drug problem in a real way.”

By George E. Curry
NNPA Editor-in-Chief

PRETORIA, South Africa (NNPA) – Human rights activist Jesse L. Jackson has been presented the Companions of O.R. Tambo Award, the highest award a non-South African can receive, for his extensive efforts to held end apartheid in the country.

Jackson, founder and president of the Chicago-based RainbowPUSH Coalition, accepted the award Saturday from President Jacob Zuma at the Presidential Guesthouse here. Jackson’s wife, Jacqueline, and two of his children, Santita and Yusef, accompanied him to the capital city to accept the prestigious honor.

The former aide to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was cited “for dedicating his life to challenge societies and governments to recognize that all people are born equal, and that everyone is in equal measure entitled to life, liberty, prosperity and human rights.” He was honored “For his excellent contribution to the fight against apartheid.”

The award was named after Oliver Reginald Tambo, the former chairman of the African National Congress (ANC) who helped end White minority rule in South Africa 19 years ago. The award is presented annually to “eminent foreign nationals for friendship shown to South Africa.” The official description of the award says recipients are “concerned primarily with matters of peace, cooperation, international solidarity and support and is integral to the execution of South Africa’s international and multinational relations.”

The official program notes, “Jackson first visited South Africa in 1979 following the death of Steve Biko. He attracted huge crowds at his rallies in Soweto, where he denounced South Africa’s oppressive system of apartheid… Upon his return to the United States, Jackson intensified efforts to mobilize opposition to the ‘terrorist state’ of South Africa and reshape US policy on the country.

“From the outset, Jackson strongly opposed President Ronald Reagan’s policy of constructive engagement with the apartheid regime. He worked tirelessly to mobilize public opposition to the USA’s stance. Jackson entered the 1984 Presidential race with the anti-apartheid struggle at the center of his foreign policy agenda.”

The program recounted Jackson’s 1985 meeting with Pope John Paul II in which he invited the Pontiff to visit South Africa to help bring about majority rule. He also lobbied Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev to cut diplomatic ties to South Africa. In addition, Jackson urged the U.S. government to fund resisters.

“He also called on Harvard and other universities to divest from South Africa,” the program stated. “In 1986, at the invitation of several African governments, Jackson led a delegation of activists, business representatives and academics to eight African countries, including the southern African ‘frontline states.’ The focus of the trip was to mobilize opposition to the apartheid regime.”

A frequent traveler to the continent, Jackson was in South Africa on Feb. 11, 1990 when Nelson Mandela emerged from prison after a 27-year confinement. Mandela would play a key role in the peaceful transition from minority rule to a democracy, becoming the first Black African elected president of South Africa. In speeches here at universities, the U.S. Embassy and a Black church, Jackson talked about his front-row seat to history and warned that although Black South Africans have finally won their political freedom, the next goal should be eliminating economic inequity, considered the worst in the world.

Also presented with a Tambo Award was Percival Patterson, former Prime Minister and ex-chairman of the People’s National Party (PNP) in Jamaica. Patterson was cited “For his support of the ANC and exceptional contribution to the struggle for liberation and a democratic South Africa.”

The official program noted, “A passionate opponent of apartheid, he was an ardent supporter of South Africa’s liberation movement. In 1987, during the time Patterson was the chairman of the PNP and Michael Manley was its President, the ANC was invited to attend the PNP’s Founder’s Day banquet celebrating the 15th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence. Then president of the ANC, Oliver Tambo, addressed the occasion in Kingston, Jamaica on 4 July 1987.”

When Patterson was serving as Prime Minister, Nelson and Minnie Mandela visited Jamaica, where they received strong backing.

Other Tambo award winners were: Dina Forti, who helped start an anti-apartheid movement in Italy and Enuga Reedy, former head of the United Nation’s Center Against Apartheid.

Winners – who were not allowed to give acceptance speeches – were presented a neck badge, a lapel rosette, a miniature medallion and a wooden ceremonial walking stick carved in the image of a mole snake. According to African mythology, the mole snake, called a majola, visits babies in the spirit of benevolence, protecting them from harm and preparing them for success in life.

Jackson said in an interview, “I am overwhelmed with honor and appreciation. It represents momentum for our African-American struggle merging with the Free South Africa struggle. Both struggles were parallel.”

By Danny L. White
Special to the NNPA from the Arizona Informant

(NNPA) The Maricopa Branch NAACP is investigating and questioning whether or not a 14 year old African American girl at Pendergast Elementary School was given the opportunity to face her accuser and whether or not the accusation was actually valid. Also of note, did the young person receive “due process?”

The actions that lead to the 14 year old being suspended for nine (9) days and eventually being reassigned to another school were shared with this writer by the student’s parents Mr. and Mrs. Hughes.

AZI: To the best of your knowledge what were the circumstances that lead to your daughter being suspended from school on charges of possession of a narcotic substance?

Hughes: “This was our daughter’s first year at the school. She is an athlete and plays most sports. Some of the girls at the school did not like the fact she was as good as she is. She excelled and the coaches really liked her and she was doing well in school as well.

“When she returned to school in January, the school stated they would provide bus transportation for her. They were pretty adamant, so we said okay. She might have ridden the bus one day and the next or within the first week, the bus driver told her ‘the bus did not go as far as we live?’

“My daughter walked home and on the way someone attempted to assault/molest her.”

AZI: Did you all file a report?

Hughes: “Yes, we filed a report and inquired with the school why our daughter was not allowed on the bus?

AZI: Secondary to the near assault, the school must have felt some responsibility. What was the school reply?

Hughes: “After making such an issue about how they wanted to provide transportation for her, now they backtracked and said something referencing the boundaries.

AZI: Now this is not the incident that lead to your daughter’s suspension – right?

Hughes: “Yes that is correct, about a week or two later, one of the girls that had been giving our daughter a real rough time, walked up to her one morning and apologized and gave her (our daughter) a piece of candy. Our daughter was like – ‘Oh thank God, I don’t have to worry about her (the other girl) anymore.’

AZI: What kind of candy did your daughter receive from the ‘foe turned friend’ and did she (your daughter) eat the candy?

Hughes: “No, thank God, she did not. She put the piece of candy in her backpack and went to her next class, ironically another male student, looked in her backpack and took that particular piece of candy that day. It was like Christmas candy – small in a wrapper. Like a jolly rancher.

AZI: Did your daughter know this student?

Hughes: “Well kind of, he was one of the male athletes or a kid everyone knew. They all know each other in part. They may not speak or act indifferently toward someone but they all know each other.

AZI: Had the male student ever gone in your daughter’s pack back to her knowledge looking for candy or snacks?

Hughes: “According to our daughter, he had never gone in her pack back to her knowledge.

AZI: So in effect, a female student that did not get along or treat your daughter friendly – one day comes up and offers her candy (a peace offering – an olive branch)?

Hughes: “Yes, that is exactly how we perceived it. And this girl did the same thing the next day; giving my daughter a few pieces of this candy……My daughter had not had any problems at the school. But now she was being called a drug supplier or someone that had the “get high” candy.

AZI: What happened next?

Hughes: Well a few days or the following week, I get a call from the principal saying that my daughter is in possession of a narcotic drug – in the form of candy and she will not give it to us. The principal said they handle matters like this at school and the police would not be called if we came down and had our daughter give up the candy.

Hughes: “We could not get to the school fast enough. The principal met me and our daughter was in the office. The principal informed us that they had learned from someone that our daughter was in possession of “the get high candy.”

“I told him this was absurd, our daughter does not do drugs. The principal stated that a few students had informed him and other staff – that they (the students) had gotten “candy” from their (the Hughes) daughter.

“We asked who these “other persons” were and if they had also been called into the office? No other students were in the office but our daughter.

The police were eventually called and questioned the young lady who was suspended from school for (9) days. The principal informed the Hughes that several students were “high” in the school as a result of their daughter’s distribution of the “candy.”

Hughes: “The school told us they had drug tested several students and they were high on the candy that they received from our daughter. We were not informed who brought the charges against our daughter or why she was the only student suspended.

“My wife took our daughter back to the school and met with the assistant principal – informing her, we also wanted our daughter drug tested to prove she does not use drugs. The principal intervened and said the school does not drug test. We were told the other students had been drug tested by the school at the school?

AZI: Is your daughter back in school at this time?

Hughes: “Yes, the school wanted us to enroll her at an alternative school for students that had issues with the law and other matters. We said absolutely not, our daughter has not had any issues until this matter. We enrolled her somewhere else.

“This is another example of the treatment our children are getting in schools across this city. They are being charged, tried and sentenced, without a fair opportunity to speak,” Said Maricopa NAACP Branch President Rev. Oscar Tillman.

“It is a crying shame when a young person can’t go to school to get an education but have to deal with the issues they are faced with on a regular basis. Here is a young girl that was minding her own business and jealousy and other issues enter in.

“The student that made the accusations no doubt felt threatened by this young ladies ability in the classroom and in athletic competition and felt she had to neutralizer her. The minds of youth today.”

By Floyd Alvin Galloway
Special to the NNPA from The Arizona Informant

Alexander Wilson, a 16-year- old, was shot and killed by a Department of Public Safety officer near 35th Avenue and Camelback, April 7. According to reports the teen was driving a stolen SUV when he tried to run an officer over who had been following him and his older brother William Brown. Family members dispute the claim Wilson tried to run the officer over and the car was stolen.

“We will prove the car wasn’t stolen,” said his sister Alexis Wilson. “I won’t say Alex was an angel – he was just a boy,” said a distraught Alexis.

“He was very sweet to anybody who came in contact with him,” she explained during a protest in front of the Arizona State Capitol April 10.

Approximately 20 friends and family members marched in front of the Capitol, yelling slogans and demanding justice for the teen that was killed instantly from the gunshot wound to the face. The protestors enter the Executive Tower, demanding a meeting with Governor Jan Brewer to get answers.

Mathew Benson, director of communication, met with the group. April Douglas, an older sister of the Wilsons, told Benson they wanted answers from the governor.

“This officer is on a paid vacation while my brother is dead,” said Douglas.

A DPS vehicle drew the group’s ire when the office pulled up to the capital, igniting strong criticism from the protestors. The officer drove away after a few minutes.

According to reports Wilson was driving a SUV when picked up Brown. He told his brother he got the car from a friend.

Brown said his brother noticed the DPS officer was following them. “He told me we were being followed he was going to pull into the gas station to see if he’s going to go by,” said Brown.

According to reports Wilson had a felony warrant for his arrest for an armed robbery, which may have made him nervous. “He was going to go,” said Brown, but he didn’t get it in gear and revved the engine,” explained Brown.

Brown said the next thing he heard was a shot and his brother’s hand then threw the car into gear. Brown said he tried to grab the steering wheel, the car crashed into a residential brick fence.

Realizing his brother was dead; a frightened Douglas initially jumped out the car and ran. He later turned himself in to Phoenix Police.

“I didn’t know what they were going to do and better to turn myself in.” At Informant press time there have been no charges filed against Brown.

The Phoenix Police Department is investigating the DPS shooting. There were no drugs or alcohol found in the car and a toxicology report is pending.