I've been kicking around an idea for a Drug War Memorial for all of the victims of the War on Drugs and to help bring an end to this insanity. I've just registered drugwarmemorial.org for this purpose. Here is a brief outline of some of my ideas.

Definition of a victim: A person who has been killed, incarcerated, or has otherwise suffered as a direct result of the waging of the War on Drugs. This will include but not be limited to the following:

• People killed or injured in raids, turf wars, revenge slayings, and booby-traps--police, dealers, users, innocents--no matter by whom


• People charged with or convicted of possessing or trafficking narcotics or associated paraphernalia or of conspiracy with those who have otherwise been charged or convicted


• People who have had their property confiscated by law enforcement in the name of zero tolerance


• People who have had their property stolen by criminals trying to raise money to buy drugs (certain level of proof required, such as criminal record of arrested suspect or evidence in trial)


• People denied medical marijuana or effective pain medication


• Physicians or distributors arrested or harassed by DEA or police for prescribing or providing such


• Farmers whose crops have been confiscated or destroyed in the prosecution of the Drug War, no matter where they may live

The following people may or may not be included as events warrant:

• Gangsters, or violent drug dealers (where such organized thuggery is apparent, in any case)


• Overdose victims (although the argument is valid that drugs have become much more lethal following prohibition, drug users themselves make the free choice to partake of drugs)

Organization: opening page with a monument (TBD)

Technology: Wikipedia is the model of organization. Wiki pages can be set up for people to add details about each person. Typical layout: name, picture, biography, details of Drug War impact, references to news articles and other information about the subject. Layout to be standardized later.

Only registered users may edit pages. Pseudonymous registrations will be allowed for obvious reasons. Nevertheless, all changes must be made by a registered user. Each subject will also have a discussion page and a condolences page.

Sidebars:

• Rules for posting and editing


• News from the Front

Millions have been victimized by the War on Drugs. We should hear their stories. I'd like to hear some thoughts on the matter.