12/18/93
Perhaps the most important thing that we as activists can do right now is to continue to show vocal support for the Surgeon General in her call for a study of alternative options to law enforcement for drug policy. The most potent political organizations are those which are able to bombard Congress and the White House with letters and phone calls promoting their cause. We need to do the same. And we need to keep this a topic of conversation. To this end, continuing to send letters to local newspapers, even as the Elders episode begins to become old news, is a good strategy. I will send out a sample letter to the President, as well as a sample letter to the editor, which you may feel free to use if you don't have time to write your own letters. Following in this file is a list of some useful addresses and telephone numbers:
Your Senator
U.S. Senate
Washington D.C. 20510
Your Representative
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington DC 20515
President Clinton
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dr. Lee P. Brown
Office of National Drug Control Policy
725 17th St., NW
Washington, DC 20503
The White House Comments Line: 202/456-1414
fax: 202/456-2461
The Congressional Switchboard: 202/224-3121 (will connect you to any member
of the Senate or House)
Office of the Surgeon General: 202/690-6467
Remember, if we don't show support to those who speak out for true reform, they will be forced to back down. The odds are against us, and only vigorous action on our part can begin to tilt them in our direction.
- Dave
P.S. If you're in a position to share the information from this mailing list with others off the net, I encourage you. The larger our network can become, whether through email, phone, fax, ordinary mail, or whatever, the more effective we can be.
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