A Draft Proposal to Eliminate Illegal Drug use through Volunteer Community Involvement

JEFFHEAD.COM ^ | Oct 8, 2005 | Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.

[Jeff Head]

If you have the time and inclination, please respond.

[HiJinx]

Gotta run, but...

You said:

This draft proposal defines a volunteer Community Illegal Drug Elimination Program (CIDEP) which could be created implemented individually or from expanding and evolving the current neighborhood watch programs in the area.

It reads rough, does this work?

This draft proposal defines a volunteer Community Illegal Drug Elimination Program (CIDEP) which could be implemented independently or by expanding and evolving the current neighborhood watch programs in the area.

So far, it looks like a good program. When I can I'll look some more...

[dalereed]

Glad you did it, no government agency or employee could come up with anything that good and comprehensive.

Looks like a plan that should be initiated nation wide.

[TheOracleAtLilac]

Looks like a pretty comprehensive proposal, but....

Your opening paragraphs describe your problem as more of a "trans shipment point" for Mexican produced meth - not local druggies &/or local meth production.

The above should be addressed directly ?
profiling of new residents
strict enforcement of traffic laws - search & seizure
community alertness to suspicious activities
generally, making the new (undesirables) - unwelcome

[M. Dodge Thomas]

Drugs are a big problem and I’m sure the program is well intentioned.

Unfortunately it reminds me a lot of the anti-crime "community watch" programs organized in every neighborhood s Castro's Cuba during the 70s and 80s - which ended up with their nose in everybody's business.

[Eastbound]

It seems simple and straightforward with a minimum of command structure. I think it would work, Jeff. The network could serve two functions -- drugs and terrorist activity.

Not sure I understand the organizational chart showing the interaction between the fed, state and local officials with the individual groups. Looks like the municipal coordinator is left out of the loop.

I am assuming the area coordinator will oversee all non-municipality areas in the county and will be responsible for those group activities, though the flowchart doesn't show the groups attached to the area coordinator. I'm assuming they are there.

I would think at the outset that if you can ramp it up as a dual-function program, you won't be short of firepower when needed.

[Jeff Head]

Thanks...that is beter wording. I'll use it.

[Jeff Head]

It's both...the DEA and the state and local guys are being very effective in getting the trans-shipment people...but they admit, as soon as they do, the cartels from Mexico replace them with new people from the south. In ten sting operations over the last few years in that particular area, they convicted over 300 of them. All but 13 were foreign nationals from south of the border. They are replaced as fast as they can get them.

The local agencies want the community's help to assist in drying up the demand by identifying those involved, getting help to those who want it, and making the environemnt completely unfriendly for those who don't.

[Jeff Head]

That's where the basic morality and goodness of the people come in. This is not a government program, it is a volunteer citizen program.

[Jeff Head]

The agencies interaction is in assistance mode...the org chart is very initial and nothing more than an idea stimulator in that regard. These groups are not meant to take direction from the governbment agencies...just assist them and in turn, be assisted by them as required.

I believe it could work in a dual mode...in fact for any criminal activity within the community.

[Jeff Head]

Thanks...something like it should be implemented. Feel free to use it in your own area.

[Eastbound]

I commend you for your involvement and leadership in this, Jeff. I am convinved the drug war or the war on terror, especially if it becomes a domestic war (as it appears the cities are starting to gear up for) will never be won without the personal participation of John Q. and all the abled-bodied -- especially our veterans who have not forgotten their oath.

If the side-benefit will be the reduction of local and area crime, so much the better.

[Jeff Head]

Amen. It is becoming more and more obvious that the War on Drugs...the real war on drugs, and the war on terrorism are inexorably linked. I am grateful we have local officials here who recognize that John Q. and his basic morality, family values, and civic commitment are the answer and are willing to actively petition that help.

We'll see where this proposal goes.

[hoosierham]

Every time someone proposes yet another gov't or quas-gov't agency my freedom nerve twinges.The Neighborhood Watch programs could logically already have called in tips ,but few care.Until the American people decide drugs are not "cool" all you are doing is providing another BigBrother group to help spy on your fellow citizens.I think too many parents fail to care or don't know what to watch for and so allow their kids to become addicts.The entertainment world mostly winks at,if not openly endorses illicit drugs.When caught,the "important". movie stars and politicians get off with little or no punishment;as long as that continues they will be able to influence more young people.And the usually unspoken attraction of the drug is that it will improve sexual pleasure,so less cultural emphasis on sex might help.

I also believe the constant barrage of tv ,radio,and print ads for yet another stomach,headache,allergy,sex drive restorative have made "just say no to drugs" a poor joke.

When the states are allowed to treat the ports and borders the way air travellers are screened,then foreign drugs would largely disappear.The key is "customers";with no market the drug suppliers would go to some other activity.

Soliciting drug use,that is,offering a sample to your kid ,ought to be enough for severe punishment.

[Travis McGee]

Jeff, you never fail to jump right into the thick of it! I think just speaking to some of the groups you mentioned about the concept would be a good first step, toward assembling a list of potential volunteers. I think it has to start there.

[yoe]

Hi Jeff, I have sent this onto others that have the ability to move communities to do something. I like it - however, I am a great Indian, but ain't a chief*~*

[mlc9852]

That's my view. I just don't like the idea of asking neighbors to spy on each other.

[Jeff Head]

This is not a government agency or a government anything. It is a proposal for citizens to stand on their own and invite the people in their neighborhoods to eat-outs, meetings and get-togethers to try and educate them and offer those who desirte it, help in addressing their additction. Through education and help, coming ftom their own neighbors and friends, the desire for and attraction to illegal drugs will be significantly lessened.

...and then yes, if they see illegal activity in this regard, they report it...like any good citizen would and should do. That sends the message to the hardened ones, those who desitre no help...that the community will not tolerate the illegal and destructive behavior. Nor should they.

Nothing big brother or spying about it. It is about being friends to your neighbors and acting as good citizens to help uphold the law and do their civic duty.

[Jeff Head]

Thanks...the more common citizens who become involve in helping both their neighbors and fighting such illegality, the better.