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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Failure at the Highest Level: Criminal Injustice

The John Thompson case against against the State of Louisiana and the New Orleans District Attorney at the time of prosecution was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court today. The decision was 5-4 and the dissenting Justices are Ginsburg, Sotomayor, Breyer, and Kagan. This ruling by the Supreme Court Justices further limits the ability of a criminal defendant to sue for Brady violations. The case is Connick vs. Thompson (09-571). Read the Opinion (PDF) HERE.


I last discussed the problem of bad prosecutors that hide exculpatory evidence and outright lie in attempt to attain convictions in The Dark Side of the US Criminal Justice System. The entire situation is so unreal to me that I am at a loss for words. That is highly unusual, right? Consider reading the U.S. Supreme Court Opinion linked above – it is interesting even if you're not into law.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Virginia’s School Takes the Use of Any Kind of Substance Seriously


As parents, we rely on schools to protect our kids from the dangers of drugs within their walls. All of the rules and regulations are in place to ensure our kids are in a safe and drug free environment. But for Hayley Russel and her family, the circumstances were different.

The 13 year old student of Rachel Carson Middle School in Fairfax County Virginia, was worried about her acne and bought medicine, erythromycin, a common antibiotic that a doctor prescribed for her skin, to prevent another outbreak. She kept it in her locker and did not think about it but was reprimanded when a school official confronted her. Hayley admitted that it was a mistake but it did not change the outcome. The incident caused a disciplinary process that kept her out of class for more than seven weeks and banned her from appearing on school grounds without official permission. The event turned Hayley's middle school experience into a horrific one. Rumors churned wildly, with false accusations and painful insults about what she did to get into so much trouble. "Preggo," a classmate wrote on her Facebook wall, "Druggie," texted another. The subsequent days were no better. Her parents met with an attorney who took the case to court but were told that Hayley would inevitably have to transfer. Their attorney agreed that this was the only solution.


Hayley is not alone in this undesired situation. Her case follows a pattern in at least 18 other cases in Fairfax: Students are suspended from school for a month, two months, or longer if an appeal is filed. They go to disciplinary hearings expecting unbiased reviews and instead find what they consider a confrontational and accusatorial process.

For Hayley, who is now 14, the experience was not welcoming and she is still shocked over what happened. For some parents in Virginia, it may be a relief to at least know the school takes the use of any kind of substance seriously and are not tolerant of the obstruction of their regulations, for others it may be taking drug abuse prevention a little too far.

Reach out to us. For more information on our treatment programs contact us:

Teen Treatment Programs: 1-888-757-6237



Young Adults and Adults Treatment Programs: 1-888-387-6237 http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

South Carolina Officers Train to Bust Teen Drinking Parties


Officers from several area law enforcement agencies are getting ready for 2011 "Out of their Hands Campaign."


It will be no April Fools Days on April 1 as officers in South Carolina kick-off the campaign of enforcement and education blitz coordinated by The Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS). The campaign is designed to raise awareness of the dangers of underage alcohol use.


South Carolina officers have been trained on how to effectively break-up parties where underage drinking is involved. During a full day of classes, the officers got review lessons on South Carolina law as it relates to alcohol related offenses and juveniles as well as a crash course on the alcoholic beverages are popular among the underage drinking population today.


Officers were introduced to a host of other issues during the mock party exercise from language barriers and “escapees”, to “fire crews” responding to the party location after someone pulled the “fire alarm.”


Through the statewide “Out of their Hands” campaign, South Carolina's Alcohol Enforcement Teams help direct activities aimed at limiting access to alcohol by young people under the age of 21. The campaign emphasizes that it is against the law for anyone under 21 to purchase, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages and sends the message that underage drinking can be dangerous.


Cornerstone Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission of Greenwood representative says:“Ultimately we hope to reduce fatalities among youth in regards to risky decisions and alcohol.”


Besides fatalities related to alcohol use, there is also a concern of young adults becoming addicted to alcohol. Most young adults drink because they learn to associate “drinking” with adult behaviors. One drink turns into more drinks. Alcohol use many times become alcohol abuse or addiction, most young adults are unsure as to how to approach the issue. Also most young adults are not well informed about the potential brain damage, as a result of alcohol use, abuse, and alcohol addiction.


If you are a friend or family member of a young adult struggling with alcohol abuse, call now for help.


Reach out to us. For information on our addiction treatment programs contact us:

Teen Treatment Programs: 1-888-757-6237



Young Adults and Adults Treatment Programs: 1-888-387-6237 http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

The New Highs - Drugs of Abuse


In 2009, colored ecstasy pills started popping up around the country in the shape of President Barack Obama’s head. Those came on the heels of yellow smiley-faced marijuana gum balls appearing at a Howard County school, THC candy bars called “Stoners” marketed underground in California, and turtle-shaped chocolate psychedelic mushrooms in Oregon. Every year, it seems, people think up new ways to get high. According to the feds, below are some unusual drugs the DEA says saw spikes in usage in the past year and others that are making a resurgence.


PURPLE DRANK What is Purple Drank?: Prescription-strength cough syrup combined with lemon-lime soda and pieces of hard candy. Variations include using juice or sports drinks.


Effects of Purple Drank: It’s a sedative and gives users a “woozy” feeling of “swooning euphoria.” The feds say Purple Drank is “highly addictive” and has contributed to overdose deaths, including that of the Texas man widely credited with popularizing the mixture.


Street names: Lean, syrup, Texas tea, purple jelly, purple tonic, sip-sip, player potion, purp and sizzurp.


Rise in Popularity: Used since the 1960s, the mixture has enjoyed a revival as Lil Wayne, Eminem, Kanye West, Fast East Movement and other acts have included references in their music.


Legal Status: With a cough syrup prescription from a doctor, this drink is a combination of legal substances.


KILL What is Kill?: A narcotic, such as heroin, laced with another substance, such as fentanyl, a synthetic opiate, approximately 50 times more potent than heroin.


Effects of Kill: Results in irrational behavior and is extremely dangerous to the user’s health.


Street names: Kill or keel.


Rise in popularity: Used among hard-core junkies drawn in because of its reputation for being more powerful than heroin.


Legal status: Illegal.


BZP What is BSP?: Originally a parasite treatment for cattle, tablets containing the synthetic stimulant drug BZP (N-benzylpiperazine) are often combined with caffeine. BZP is typically pressed onto logo-embossed tablets or shaped into cartoon-character tablets.


Effects of BZP: BZP produces euphoria and cardiovascular effects similar to those of amphetamine, but much less severe. Effects generally last six to eight hours.


Street names: A2, Benny Bear, Benny, Frenzy, Legal E, Legal X, Molly and Nemesis.


Rise in popularity: Law enforcement agencies have reported a spike in usage as the drug is sold as ecstasy to unsuspecting buyers.


Legal status: Illegal in the United States but legal in some parts of Europe.


OPIUM TEA What is Opium Tea?: A tea brewed with various parts of opium poppy plants.


Effects of Opium Tea: Users initially experience a warm feeling and a state of euphoria and sleepiness. At high doses, death can occur through respiratory depression. Effects of the tea begin within 30 minutes and may last up to eight hours. According to medical examiners in several states, five men ingested poppy tea shortly before their deaths.


Street names: Opium tea or poppy tea.


Rise in popularity: Users can find legal ingredients to make the tea at farmer’s markets or on the Internet.


Legal status: Poppy seeds are legal in the United States, but other parts of the plant are illegal. Is your teen abusing drugs? Reach out to us. For information on addiction treatment programs contact:


Teen Addiction Treatment Programs: 1-888-757-6237




Young Adults and Adults Addiction Treatment Programs: 1-888-387-6237 http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Pastor in Tennessee Addresses Epidemic Issues of Illegal Drug Abuse


MONROE COUNTY, Tenn., Pastors will take a public stand with a day of prayers in April 2, 2011 to address epidemic issues of illegal drug abuse, prescription drug abuse and their effects on children and families.

Pastor David Cooper’s gathering is inspired by the documentary movie "Appalachian Dawn".

During CCC News interview with Pastor David Cooper, he was asked what has lead him to organize this day of prayer and he answers : "Well, about a year and a half ago God put it upon my heart to combat drugs in east Tennessee. I know so many young people who have been on meth and oxycotton. Many of them have died. I happen to be the pastor that performed the funerals. God put it upon my heart to start praying and fasting about the drug problems in our area. Then the Appalachian Dawn DVD appeared and my wife and I watched it. We decided to show it to our church. After the church saw it, I really prayed hard about the next step. One thing just lead to another and its lead us to where we're at. We're just responding to the call of God, to be obedient to God."

Mr. Cooper has reported that there are other people involved in an operation they call operation P.U.S.H. Together they hope to combat drug abuse and addiction in the area.

If you or someone you know is struggling with drug abuse or addiction and is in need of help, Inspirations Teen Rehab offers a flexible and affordable teen addiction treatment program. Our aim is to treat the whole person, and not just an isolated symptom. During the addiction treatment process we will work with the teen to identify the factors that may have contributed to the prescription drug abuse and addiction – home, friends and medical history. We believe that families have a vital role to play in the recovery process, and each addiction treatment program has a place for family participation, to educate them in the treatment process and to equip them for their role as supporters.

Reach out to us. For more information on our treatment programs contact us:

Teen Treatment Programs: 1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Young Adults and Adults Treatment Programs: 1-888-387-6237 http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

What Motivates Teens to Engage in Prescription Drug Abuse?


A nothing-can-hurt-me attitude, the desire of experience life, experiment with new things along with, many times, peer influence and bad judgment can lead a teen to become addicted to prescription drugs.Ultimately, their desire for getting high outweighs their perception of the risks.

Every day, 2,500 teenagers use a prescription drug to get high for the first time. They're accessing these drugs in the comfort of home where they can easily reach to a cupboard, drawer, or medicine cabinet.

Statistics Show:
• 12 to 17 year olds abuse prescription drugs more than they abuse ecstasy, crack/cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine combined
• 60% of teens who have abused prescription painkillers did so before age 15
• There are as many new abusers age 12 to 17 of prescription drugs as there are of marijuana

Teenagers turn to prescription drugs because they perceive them as less dangerous than illegal drugs because this is after all, a drug that has been prescribed by a doctor. Because of this, teenage prescription drug abuse is on the rise. The good news is, as a parent, you can influence your teen's decision not to use any type of drugs. The majority of teens still report that their parents—not their peers or the media—have the biggest influence on their decision to stay drug-free. Use this influence to talk to your teen about the danger of misusing prescription drugs.

If you suspect your child is abusing prescription drugs, seek professional help and remember these three C's: that 'you didn't Cause, can't Control and can't Cure' your child's problems. But you can and must take charge if you find out your child is abusing prescription drugs. The earlier you act upon your child’s addiction problems the better will be the outcome for your child.

Reach out to us. For more information on our treatment programs contact us:

Teen Treatment Programs: 1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Young Adults and Adults Treatment Programs: 1-888-387-6237
http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Former Cop Frank Carter of Melbourne: Expounding on the Issues

Many have arrived at this blog recently by searching for Frank Carter's name and it is time to expound on the issues and hope that you understand why I consider Carter a bad cop, regardless of inept prosecutors, collusion, or corrupt judges.

Most bad cops are never prosecuted; look how long it took prosecutors in Cook County, Illinois to try Jon Burge for a lousy perjury charge when we all know that he ordered and participated in torturing suspects to obtain confessions. Of course most of those confessions were false, but the defendants still languished in prisons for years. The fact that the farce of a corrupt system cannot manage to prosecute Carter means little to me.

I find it far-fetched and implausible that Brevard County prosecutors couldn't find any complainants that were willing to testify. From what I know there have been hundreds of complaints against Frank Carter over the years, but of course time is an issue and I am not sure of the statute of limitations on official misconduct charges or falsifying official records or documents, so all cases are no longer valid. They ignored this train wreck for years.; probably 20 years altogether or close to it.

The main case that prosecutors used to arrest Carter was questionable. Getting down to the basics here, Frank Carter was accused of making illegal traffic stops and conducting illegal searches. There is no doubt whatsoever that he has done this hundreds, if not thousands, of times in his 20+ year career. To me he is the definition of “bad cop”. He is the same as the Hernando County deputies that did the traffic stop on my son and his friend a couple of weeks ago. He is the same as several Cocoa P.D. officers that have done worse than the Hernando County deputies did to my son in the past five years.

Ever since my son got a driver's license he has experienced illegal traffic stops and illegal searches of any vehicle he drove. We have it down to a system because it happens so frequently. For the most part it has always happened in Cocoa with Cocoa P.D. officers. It has not happened in Cocoa for a couple of years though, not since my visit to the Cocoa Police Department to speak to a supervisor and request records.

On my last trip to Cocoa P.D. (it was far from the first), I encountered an intelligent supervisor. I'm not sure if he was a sergeant or a Lt, but this is immaterial anyway. A nice man that had recently relocated from NY and was attempting to reform the department, and he sure managed to smooth everything over with me. When I enter a police department under such circumstances I am angry, no doubt, but I am also intelligent enough to know that sarcasm with a smirk is the only tool available to me to get my point across.

In this particular traffic stop my son and a friend were pulled-over for no reason and held for 45 solid minutes while Cocoa P.D. waited on a dog to arrive – that dog was busy in Melbourne, as has been the case in past. That dog was probably busy with one of Frank Carter's illegal traffic stops. The officers were told clearly twice that they had no permission to search so instead they waited on a dog. Neat, except that holding a driver and passenger for 45 minutes is also illegal. Of course there was no reason to call a dog and of course the dog didn't find anything.

I was having a discussion with someone the other day about possible reasons that cops target my son. His last name is different so they do not know that he is my son when the siren and lights go on, so it isn't the usual hatred of me. For years it was stickers on the vehicles and the hour of night that he was driving, in my opinion. He has always been into music and had 10+ and closer to 20+ heavy metal band stickers on any car he has driven. He also worked for Papa John's from age 17 forward – first as an insider, then as a driver, and later as a manager. He has always had the latest shift and often didn't get out of work until 2am or 3am, so that is why he would be going to Walmart or driving down the road at that hour. Not everyone is a day person, as those late shift cops should know.

The recent Hernando County stop was different in that my son was in a rental car that was close to brand new, so no stickers. It also happened at 1am on a Saturday night and I do not consider that late.


Back to Frank Carter

The main case that prosecutors used to arrest him was of one Laura Cabrera. Of course I do not know Laura, but if you look at her record she has been charged with drug and drug-related counts more than once. I believe that she even pleaded to a count once. This woman has had a lengthy list of traffic stops, many probably care of Frank Carter. Carter probably found drugs when he illegally searched when he had no right by law to stop her to begin with. The law is the law and if officers like Frank Carter are not going to obey it, why should we expect Laura Cabrera to?

I didn't mention Cabrera's case in my previous posts as I preferred the case of Dienecia Johnson. She never pled to any drug charge and has had too long of a list of traffic stops for no reason. My previous discussion of her traffic stops is clear on why Carter could not have had reason to pull her over to begin with: She was charged with not having her driver's license or registration to show too many times. How in the hell could Frank Carter know that she didn't have either available when he pulled her over? He couldn't and in several cases she was not charged with anything else.

The situation with my son has been similar several times. He was pulled over for no reason whatsoever and a couple of times the offending cop actually created a traffic ticket for an offense that didn't exist to cover his illegal stop and illegal search. In one case the created ticket was for “running a red light” and my son took photos of the intersection, obtained the records of the pull-over, and argued it in court. The judge found him not guilty. I won't bother to explain how turning right on red without stopping at that intersection was absolutely legal, except to say that it had to do with the lane merging and no stop bar. During that stop my son was subjected to an angry Marine Drill Sergeant cop yelling at the top of his lungs throughout (30 solid minutes), throwing my son against the car to search him, and an absolutely illegal search of the vehicle – no permission and no reason. The dog was busy in Melbourne – again probably at one of Carter's illegal stop and search escapades

There are far too many of these bad cops on the road. Something must be done to stop this in our society. If supervisors don't give a fuck, then it is time to get rid of the supervisors with the bad boy cops.

If the Melbourne P.D. takes Frank Carter back they are in collusion with him and advocate criminal behavior. It is easy to look at his traffic stops and know that he doesn't give a rat's ass about following the law. This guy considers himself a superior being that makes his own judgment calls and totally disregards law.

I have so many additional examples of bad cops detaining my son, including two that involve pizza delivery, that this post could go on and on for pages. Perhaps I will bore you with more later, but hopefully I have made my point concerning Frank Carter.

A cop doesn't have to be dealing drugs or raping women to be a bad cop.