Congratulations to Judge Arthur Burnett Sr.

  On Friday, November 18, 2011, Judge Arthur Burnett Sr. was awarded the Senator Paul and Mrs. Sheila Wellstone MENTAL HEALTH VISIONARY AWARD 2011 by the Washington Psychiatric Society, the local chapter of the American Psychiatric Society. This honor is bestowed upon an individual for Outstanding Service in Promoting Non-Discrimination toward those suffering from mental illness. The awards reception was held at the J. W. Marriott Hotel at 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W, Washington DC, and attended by about 60 Psychiatrists and members of their families. We congratulate Judge Burnett for his tireless efforts on behalf of the mental health community in the Washington DC metropolitan area.

Obama pardon seeks to reflect fairer drug policy

Eugenia Marie Jennings has spent nearly a decade behind bars after being convicted in February 2001 of distributing crack cocaine. But the Alton, Illinois resident is slated to come home a few days before Christmas, thanks to President Obama.

On Monday, Obama granted a commutation of sentence to Jennings, an African-American woman who had been sentenced to 22 years in prison. The president ordered that she be released on December 21st, while leaving intact her eight years of supervised release, plus a $1,750 dollar fine.

President Obama also granted pardons to five other individuals, including three convicted of marijuana-related offenses, according to the White House.

"The president concluded that clemency was warranted for these individuals," said a White House source, "because they demonstrated genuine remorse for their crimes and remarkable rehabilitation into law-abiding, productive citizens and active members of their communities."

The timing of the presidential pardons came on the same day that Obama's top drug policy advisor and other officials unveiled new and updated drug policy initiatives at a press briefing in Washington, D.C. On the agenda were such topics as high drug-related incarceration rates and their disproportionate impact on African-Americans and other communities of color.

"The administration wants to take a different approach," said Gil Kerlikowske, a veteran law enforcement officer, who now heads the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. He was joined by his deputy director, Ben Tucker and Redonna Chandler, Ph.D., of the National Institute on Drug Abuse at yesterday's meeting. "We can use the bully pulpit of the White House."

The Obama administration's strategy is based on the premise that America cannot arrest its way out of the nation's drug woes, said officials. Alternative approaches are needed, they insist, to break the cycle of drug use, crime, and incarceration.

For instance, last August, the president signed the Fair Sentencing Act into law. This criminal justice reform dramatically reduced a 100-to-1 sentencing disparity between powder and crack cocaine, which disproportionately affected minorities.

More recently, the administration advocated for -- and the U.S. sentencing commission approved -- the retroactive application of these sentencing guidelines. They became effective in November; it means about 12,000 people may have their sentences reduced.

"Addiction is not a moral failing," said Kerlikowske, who noted that while the president does not favor legalization or decriminalization, he does support "science and research-based" approaches which cite addiction as a chronic disease of the brain -- one that can be prevented and treated via public health interventions. "People can be better."

In the last fiscal year, the Obama administration spent $10.4 billion on drug prevention and treatment programs, versus $9.2 billion on domestic drug enforcement.

The new proposals include the expansion of drug courts, which place non-violent drug offenders into treatment instead of prison; implementing the Second Chance Act (which passed Congress with bipartisan support) and provides varied resources as treatment, mentoring and employment to reduce crime; and efforts like having HUD encourage housing authorities nationwide to lease to offenders returning to the community.

These initiatives make sense, said Sue Rusche, President and CEO of National Families in Action, an Atlanta based advocacy group.

"There's a lot in here that's new and I welcome it," she said. "If we are going to combat drug use among young people and others, there's going to have to be a seismic shift in our thinking."

The ideas come at a time when record numbers of men, women and juveniles are caught in the web of the justice system -- many for drug related offenses.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, some seven million people in the United States are under the supervision of the state and federal criminal justice system; of these, more than two million are incarcerated.

African-Americans and Hispanics are disproportionately incarcerated for drug offenses, with consistently higher proportions of inmates in state prison who are drug offenders. Indeed, compared to whites, the numbers of black and Latino offenders is about 50 percent higher.

For states and localities across the country, the costs of managing these populations have grown significantly. Between 1988 and 2009, state corrections spending increased from $12 billion to more than $50 billion annually.

The human toll is even more sobering.

Data shows more than half of state and federal inmates used drugs during the month preceding the offense corresponding to their sentence, while nearly one-third of state prisoners and a quarter of federal prisoners used drugs at the time of the offense.

And the officials noted some African-American parents now consider youth drug use a top concern for young people, ranking higher than gun related crimes, school violence, or bullying.

"The problem is everywhere," said Ben Tucker. "It's tearing families apart and places a burden on the justice system."

Alfreda Robinson is president of the National Women's Prison Project, a Maryland based non-profit which helps former female offenders rebuild their lives and those of their families and children. 

"Advocates have been educating folks that this would save millions of dollars," said Robinson. "Treatment will help folks get off drugs while lowering the crime rate. We have to begin helping people and investing in treatment before prison becomes an option.. We cannot continue to lock people up as if that is the answer."

Promoting Health and Justice Fundraising Dinner October 26, 2011

                                          





                            





                          




          

The Seventh National African American Drug Policy Summit

Co-Sponsored by Bowie State University

November 4-5, 2011

Bowie State University

 Bowie, Maryland



Theme: Overcoming the challenges of fiscal austerity to achieve effective solutions to the substance abuse, mental health, and criminal and juvenile justice disparities issues, facing minority Americans in the United States.



Guest Speakers and Panelists



Dr. Winston Price, President National African American Drug Policy Coalition

Dr. D. Elliot Parris, Interim Dean, College of Professional Studies, Bowie State
                                University

Benjamin Tucker, Deputy Director for State, Local and Tribal Affairs,
                               The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy,

Andrew Fois, Managing Director, Communications and Community Outreach,
                               National Crime Prevention Council

Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. Principal, Assistant United States Attorney for the District
                               of Columbia

Avis Buchanan, Director, District of Columbia Public Defender Service

Terrance Walton, Director of Treatment, District of Columbia Pretrial Services
                               Agency

Nadine J. Parker, Director, National Capital Coalition to Prevent
                               Underage Drinking (NCCPUD)

Jesselyn McCurdy, Legislative Counsel, D.C. American Civil Liberties Union

Major General John R. Hawkins, III (Retired) -Assistant Executive Director for
                               Development and Fund Raising

Dr. Valencia Campbell, President, Prince George's County Drug Policy 
                              Coalition, Inc., Affiliate of NAADPC

Honorable J. Patricia Wilson Smoot, U.S. Parole Commissioner

Susan James Andrews, President, Thurgood Marshall Action Coalition, Inc.,

Daryl D. Parks, Esq., President, National Bar Association

Dr. Patricia Newton, President, Black Psychiatrists of America, Inc.

For information about attending, please contact Ms. Rosalee Morris, Summit Conference Coordinator, Howard University School of Law, Center for Drug Abuse Research at 202-806-8600. Additionally, please contact Senior Judge Arthur L. Burnett, Sr. at 202-806-8622 or 202-806-8623 for further details about the Summit Conference. The Early Registration Fee is $225.00 payable on or before October 26, 2011 and thereafter from October 27, 2011 until site of Conference, $260.00. You may request a Registration Form by providing your e-mail address in your call or e-mailing Ms. Morris at rosaleem@gmail.com or Senior Judge Arthur L. Burnett, Sr. at aburnettsr@aol.com. Further information may also be obtained from consulting the recently revised and updated website: http://www.naadpc.org/.

Promoting Health and Justice Fundraising Dinner October 26, 2011

Promoting Health and Justice

Fundraising Dinner

On Wednesday, October 26, 2011 The Prince George’s County Drug Policy Coalition, Inc. will hold its first annual Promoting Health and Justice fund raising dinner at the Newton White Mansion. Dr. Lonise Bias, the mother of local basketball star Len Bias will be our featured guest speaker. She is the founder and President of the Len and Jay Bias Foundation, which focuses on helping youth, families and communities navigate the challenges of daily living.  Additionally she has developed the Programs entitled: Abundant Life Resources and A More Excellent Way Community Outreach. These are programs designed to motivate youth and adults to see themselves as change agents helping to empower our communities.  Please visit Dr. Bias’ website at   http://www.lonisebias.org/

Information regarding this very special event will be posted on our website www.pgcdpc.com and tickets may be purchased through our PAY PAL button or checks made payable to PGCDPC, Inc. and mailed via Dr. Valencia Campbell, Post Office Box 442325, Fort Washington, Maryland 20749.

NAADPC Fall Leadership Workshop

 

NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN DRUG POLICY COALITION, INC. Fall   Leadership Workshop Conference

NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN DRUG POLICY COALITION, INC.

FALL LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP CONFERENCE

SEPTEMBER 19-20. 2011

HOWARD UNIVERSITY – BLACKBURN CENTER

THEME:  FACING THE CHALLENGES OF IMPLEMENTING EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS TO PREVENT AND TO REDUCE  ILLEGAL USAGE OF DRUGS IN A PERIOD OF FISCAL AUSTERITY AND REDUCTION OF FUNDING

 

NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN DRUG POLICY COALITION, INC. Fall Leadership Workshop Conference

NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN DRUG POLICY COALITION, INC.

FALL LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP CONFERENCE

SEPTEMBER 19-20. 2011

HOWARD UNIVERSITY – BLACKBURN CENTER

THEME:  FACING THE CHALLENGES OF IMPLEMENTING EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS TO PREVENT AND TO REDUCE  ILLEGAL USAGE OF DRUGS IN A PERIOD OF FISCAL AUSTERITY AND REDUCTION OF FUNDING

Monday, September 19, 2011

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. -   Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.  -  Welcoming Remarks – Dr. Winston Price, President,

  National African American Drug Policy Coalition, Inc.

  Announcements of Program Format and Administrative Matters                       

  Vice-President of Administration and National

  Executive Director, Senior Judge Arthur L. Burnett, Sr.

9:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.   Opening Session

  The Needs of the National Organization for a Flow

of Revenue Income and Employment of a Small Staff

Amending By-Laws to Provide for a Dues Structure for

Member Organizations, Individual Chapters, and Individual

Persons for To Support Office Administrative Purposes

What Services  NAADPC, Inc. Should Render  to Organizational

Members, Chapters and Individual Members – Maintaining an

Updated Website in a State of the Art Manner, Publication of

Quarterly Newsletters, Submission of Timely Alerts to Member

Organizations and to Chapters Requiring Advocacy and Education of the Public on Vital Issues

Moderator:   Dr. Winston Price, President, NAADPC

Panel:   Senior Judge Arthur L. Burnett, Sr., Vice-President

             Dr. Ura Jean Bailey, Secretary-Treasurer

             Judge Martha Lynn Sherrod, Board of Directors Member

             Julius Debro, Board of Directors Member

10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Coffee Break

10:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 

    Planning and Implementing an Effective Chapter

                                        Program: Serving as an Advisory Group to Local Government

                                        Officials to Treat Addiction and Dependency as a Disease

and Advising of Available Resources in the Community; Providing Speakers In Schools to Deter Drug Usage, including prescription drug abuse, and Prevent Juvenile Delinquency, and Encourage Educational Achievement; and Assisting Churches to have their Leaders Work with Persons Returning to the Community from Prison to Stabilize Them in the Community.

                                       Moderator:   Major General John R. Hawkins, III, Retired,

                                                            Assistant Executive Director for Development

                                                            and Fund Raising

                                       Panel:  Dr. Valencia Campbell, Ph.D., President, Prince George’s

                                       County Drug Policy Coalition, Inc. 

                                       Yvonne Blackmond, President, Detroit African American

                                       Drug Policy Coalition

                                        Frank Lancaster, President, Washington Healthcare

    Empowerment Coalition, Inc.

                                        Honorable Veronica Morgan-Price (Retired Juvenile Court

                                        Judge), President Designee, Prospective Houston, Texas

                                        African American Drug Policy Coalition Chapter

12:30 p.m. -  2:00 p.m.    Luncheon

                                         Speaker:  The Honorable Milton C. Lee, Associate Judge,

                                         Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Presiding

                                         Judge, Fathering Court – “The Concept of the Fathering

                                         Court, Its Operations, and Its Objectives.”

                                        

2: 00 p.m. – 3:30 p. m.     Panel

      Seeking and Implementing a Drug Free Community Grant

                                         Moderator:   Marshella Toldson, Esq. Staff Attorney,

                                                              Center for Drug Abuse Research, Howard

                                                              University and Adviser, NAADPC

                                         Panel:  Nina Harper, Project Director, East Baltimore

                                         Drug Free Community Grant.

                                          Rosalind Parker, Esq., D.C. Ward 8 Drug Free Community

                                          Grant.

                                          Reverend Dr. Stephen Tucker, Project Coordinator, Ward 1

                                          Drug Free Community Grant in Washington, D.C.

                                          Dr. James E. Craigen, Sr., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Howard

                                          University School of Social Work; President, Human Services

                                          Systems Associates;  Advisor on Drug Free Community Grant

                                          Programs  for the City of Baltimore, Maryland.

3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.        Coffee Break

3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.        Dealing with Co-occurring Mental Illness in Persons with

                                           Substance Abuse Issues -  How to Provide Effective

                                           Counseling Services – What is Being Done for Returning

                                           Veterans with Co-occurring Substance Abuse and Mental

                                           Health Conditions.  The Role of Veterans Drug Courts.

 

                                                Moderator:  Dr. Ura Jean Bailey, Ph.D.

                                           Panel:   Dr. William B. Lawson, Chief of Psychiatry

                                           Howard University Hospital

                                           Charles E. Lewis, Social Worker, Former President, D.C.

                                           Mental Health Association

Sean C. Clark,  National Coordinator, Veterans Justice Outreach,  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Dr. John Allen, VHA Justice Programs, U.S. Department of

Veterans Affairs

               

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.      Networking Reception – Non-alcoholic beverages and light hors     

                                         Hors d’oeuvres

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

8:00 a.m.  – 9:00 a.m.            Continental Breakfast  

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.           Implementing An Effective Program to Get Fathers

                                               Involved in the Lives of Their Children, Including

                                               Former Offenders, to Prevent Involvement in Illegal

                                               Drug Activity and Juvenile Delinquent Behavior and Job

                                               Training and Employment for Former Offenders to Give

                                               Them Financial Stability

                                                Moderator:   Franklyn Malone, President & CEO,

                                                The 100 Fathers Inc.

Panel: 

Panel: Dr. Ronald Beavers, CEO, Positive Imagery Foundation, Los Angeles, California, and Co-Chair, Los Angeles Drug Policy Chapter.

                                                Herman David Odom, Former Director, Office of

                                                Ex-Offender Affairs for D.C. Mayor

Theodore Sweet, Esq., Former Deputy Director, Office of

                                                Ex-Offender Affairs for D.C. Mayor 

Susan Hoskins, Executive Director, Coalition on Economic Empowerment, District of Columbia

Kenneth Glover, Human Resources Officer, Miller and

Long Construction Company.

11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.          Break

11:15 a.m. – 12:00 Noon        Shannon Taitt, Staff Administrator, Center for Substance

                                                Abuse Treatment, SAMHSA – The Program Agenda for

                                                CSAT Working With Community Organizations.

12:00 Noon  – 2:00 p.m.        Luncheon

                                               Speaker:   Dr. Jeffrey M. Johnson, President, National

                                               Partnership for Community Leadership (NPCL) (Invited)

                                               The Mission of NPCL and Collaboration with

                                               The 100 Fathers, Inc. and the National African American

                                               Drug Policy Coalition, Inc. on Fatherhood and Re-entry

                                               Issues.

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.            What Type of Truancy Reduction Programs Can Be

                                               Established and Implemented, and How They Can Reduce

                                               Truancy, Drug Usage and Trafficking and Juvenile

                                               Delinquent Behavior – What Can Be Done for Youth

                                               Who Drop Out of School?

                                                Moderator:  Senior Judge Arthur L. Burnett, Sr.

                                                National Executive Director

                                                Gloria Danziger, Project Director with Baltimore School of                                      Law on the Truancy Reduction Program in Baltimore

Howard Davidson, Staff Director, Commission on Youth-  at-Risk, American Bar Association

Akena Allen, Consultant Adviser on Grants to Deal With

Truancy and School Drop Out Problems; Parent Advocate

3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.             Coffee Break

3:15 p.m.    4:30 p.m.             Extricating Youth from Gangs and Crews – How Can This

                                                Be Done for Youth Coerced to Join Gangs or Crews –

                                                What Resources are Available to Help these Youth?

                                               

                                                Moderator:  Senior Judge Arthur L. Burnett, Sr.,

                                                National Executive Director

Tyrone C. Parker, President & Executive Director , Alliance of Concerned Men, D.C.

                                                Cecilia Thomas, Supervisory Youth Outreach Coordinator,

                                                Roving Leader Program for Teens, D.C. Department of

                                                Parks and Recreation

                                                Reverend Billy H. Stanfield, Jr., Executive Director, New

                                                Vision Youth Services, Baltimore, Maryland

                                                Reverend Adam Hansford, Former Youth Minister

                                                Clarendon United Methodist Church, Arlington, Virginia

                                                and Former Executive Director, Fellowship of Christian

                                                Athletes, Washington, D.C.

4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.              Closing Speaker:

Dr. Donald Vereen, Former Deputy Director, ONDCP,

The White House; Director, Community Academic Engagement, The Prevention Research Center,

University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann    Arbor, Michigan  -  “The Future of Drug Policy in America and Challenges in Implementation.”

5:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.             Closing Remarks  -   Urging Attendees to Communicate

                                                With each other and share their areas of expertise;

                                                To contact National Headquarters for advice and

                                                guidance; and to provide feedback on any of the

                                                issues and problems discussed during this

conference   and  submit proposed solutions

                                                and recommendations for the coming year.

                                                Dr. Winston Price

                                                Senior Judge Arthur L. Burnett, Sr.

                                                National Executive Director