Calvert News May 2005 The ‘War on Drugs’ : A Reconsideration After Forty Years

Category: Drugs, News Series

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to a symposium on the war on drugs, a reconsideration after 40 years, sponsored by the Calvert Institute. It seemed to us that the time was opportune for a more detached look at drug policy issues than that which is usually presented.
And it seemed to us that one way of obtaining such a detached look would be by asking some of the people who were present at the start of our national drug agencies to review the developments of the last 40 years.

We also are honored to have as our kick-off speaker former Governor Gary Johnson ofNew Mexico. His participation is explained by the fact that he has invested more of himself in seeking to foster change in national drug policy than any other public official participating in the frequently unenlightening controversies over this subject.

Before we begin with his remarks, I would like to introduce Alan Friedman of Governor Ehrlich’s office to present some greetings on behalf of the Governor.

Testing for Drugs in Schools: The Constitutional Issues

Category: Drugs, News Series

Beginning in 1985, nearly five million members of the American military underwent routine drug testing, a program which continues, and which is credited with having virtually eliminated from the military the serious problems of drug abuse which afflicted it following the Vietnam war.1 That program is generally adjudged a successful one, though it has inspired […]

Why Maryland Should Screen Welfare Applicants for Drug Use

Category: Comment, Drugs

It is by now well known that the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Welfare Reform has recommended that legislation be crafted allowing the state to screen welfare applicants for drug use. The task force is co-chaired by Senator Martin G. Madden (R-Howard and Price George’s) and Delegate Samuel I. Rosenberg (D-Baltimore City/County). There are a […]