Hispanic Ministries
Special Workshop, January 21 – Drug War 101
Dr. Ethan Nadelmann, PhD, JD was the main speaker at a seminar called Drug War 101, Saturday, January 21, from 9am to 12pm at St. Paul’s Cathedral, at 2728 6th Ave, San Diego, 92103. The program was sponsored by St. Paul’s Cathedral of San Diego, the Drug Policy Alliance and A New PATH.
Ethan Nadelmann is the founder and executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, the leading organization in the United States promoting alternatives to the war on drugs. Dr. Nadelmann is widely regarded as the outstanding proponent of drug policy reform both in the United States and abroad He also authored the book, Cops Across Borders,
Everyone has a stake in ending the "war on drugs." Whether you’re a parent concerned about protecting children from drug-related harm, a social justice advocate worried about racially disproportionate incarceration rates, or a fiscally conservative taxpayer you have a stake in ending the drug war. U.S. federal, state and local governments have spent hundreds of billions of dollars trying to make America “drug-free.” Nearly half a million people are behind bars on drug charges in the United States, - more than all of Western Europe (with a bigger population.) The war on drugs has become a war on families, a war on public health and a war on our constitutional rights. There is good news and bad news.
The Bad News: On December 15, 2005, thirteen medical marijuana dispensaries in San Diego County were raided Monday by county and federal officials.
Even though a majority of people in California voted to legalize the use of medical marijuana nearly ten years ago, Federal drug enforcement agents, county sheriffs and city police broke down doors and waved guns at medical marijuana patients and dispensary operators, flouting the nearly 10-year-old state law. The seizure of thousands of patient records in the raids also violated patients’ rights to confidentiality.
The Good News: Since the voters of California passed Proposition 36 in 2000, tens of thousands of people who have spent many Christmases behind bars are now clean and sober and home with their families for the holidays.
"Seeing these former drug users spend sober holidays at home is perhaps the best measure of how well Proposition 36 works," said Glenn Backes, director of health policy for the Drug Policy Alliance During the past month, the Drug Policy Alliance has received several testimonials from Proposition 36 graduates who would have otherwise been in jail without the initiative. The hopeful and joyous holiday plans of the graduate’s stands in stark contrast to what the alternative would have been without the initiative.
For further information on how you can help, contact the Rev. Canon Mary Moreno Richardson, 619-298-7261 or at marenscotty@cox.net
Serenade to our Lady of Guadalupe
More than two Hundred people attended the second annual Guadalupe Art Program–Mananitas para la Virgen de Guadalupe/ Serenade to our Lady of Guadalupe December 11th. "The most important celebration in Mexico, takes place on the 12th of December. Millions of pilgrims stream into the Basilica, the Virgin's Shrine, to pay homage to Mexico's Patron Saint. With the authentic Fiesta flavor, there are dancers, singers, Mexican food, artisans selling their goods, but above all, the wish that Our Lady enjoys her day!"
A service of love songs in Spanish and English for Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe were performed at the Cathedral. Singers were girls from Canon Mary Richardson's Guadalupe Art Project and members of our Spanish mass congregation. Mary sang and produced the evening. Guests performers included Jamie Donnelly of the movie Grease, and from Commander-in-Chief, Caitlin Wachs who plays the teenage daughter of the president. Also in the congregation were actor Brooke Adams. Her husand is Tony Shaloub who stars in USA’s Monk. Following the service everyone enjoyed a Latino style reception in the Guild Room for the art exhibit of "Art & Altars.”
Canon Mary Moreno Richardson recently announced the Caitlin Wachs has volunteered to be a spokesperson for the Guadalupe Art Program. Meanwhile a team of Cathedral folks headed by Mary plan a trip to Dorcas House in Tijuijana where 74 children whose parents are incarcerated live to explore further needs.
