LOCAL MOMS CALL FOR NEW PATH AT JUNE 17 RALLY, 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF NIXON’S DECLARATION OF “WAR ON DRUGS”

June 13, 2011 (San Diego)--June 17 will mark forty years since President Richard Nixon, citing drug abuse as “public enemy No. 1”, officially declared a "war on drugs."Caroline Stewart, president of the board of directors at A New PATH, an organization founded by an East County mother, added, “We must treat drug use as a health issue. We need to use our resources to increase access to addiction treatment, rather than to warehouse people who use drugs or become addicted to drugs behind bars.” 

“Mothers were instrumental in ending alcohol prohibition in the U. S. in the 30’s because they wanted to end the loss of lives caused by organized crime, fueled by prohibition. Moms and concerned citizens can once again be instrumental in ending the 40 year failed war on drugs and the devastation that has been caused by it. We are the major stakeholders, so we must voice the concern for the futures of our children,” said Gretchen Burns Bergman, Co-Founder & Executive Director of A New PATH and lead organizer of the Moms United to End the War on Drugs national campaign. 

“A trillion dollars and millions of ruined lives later, the war on drugs remains an abject failure,” claims a press release issued by A New PATH, an organization founded by a Spring Valley mother.  To commemorate the 40^th anniversary, drug policy reform organizations will hold a national day of action. Events will be held in 15 states, and in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and New Orleans. The day of action will be highlighted with a large-scale event with elected officials in Washington, DC.

 A New PATH is joining with community partners in San Diego County with a rally and walk to bring attention to the 40^th anniversary of the declaration. Mothers and others seek an end to the violence, mass incarceration and overdose deaths that are a result of current punitive policies.

 The San Diego rally by Moms United to End the War on Drugs will be held Friday, June 17 from 5-7 p.m. at Pioneer Park, 1425 Washington Place in San Diego, with a walk to 4^th Avenue.  Cosponsors include A New PATH / Moms United to End the War on Drugs & Community Partners including UAAMAC, All of Us or None, FACTS SD, Broken No More, Canvass for A Cause, LEAP, NAMI, SD Cannabis Policy Reform, Americans for Safe Access, SSDP, Stepping Stone, Drug Policy Alliance, etc. 

“Some anniversaries provide an occasion for celebration, others a time for reflection, still others a time for action, said Ethan Nadelmann, Executive Director of the Drug Policy Alliance. “Forty years after President Nixon declared his war on drugs, we're seizing upon this anniversary to prompt both reflection and action. And we're asking everyone who harbors reservations about the war on drugs -- to join us in this enterprise.”