Wiener of the Week: Oregon Drug Court Coordinator Emily Davis Cayton

Emily Davis Cayton

UPDATE: Cayton was indicted Thursday (10/02/08) on one felony count each for: delivery of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, first-degree theft, and receiving a bribe. She was also charged with one count of tampering with public records, a misdemeanor.

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This is just beautiful. My real choice for Wiener of the Week should probably be whatever Oregon State official hired Ms. Cayton (though she worked as the Drug Court Coordinator for the County, Cayton was an employee of the State Circuit Court System).

People… this is serious. There is a battle currently underway that will likely determine how addicts and other non-violent drug offenders are prosecuted for decades to come. This does not help.

Those who oppose the Drug Court model (and promote the prison-industrial complex) will use any excuse they can find to poke holes in the system. The last thing we need is some flake like Clayton making their job easy.

More on Wyeth v. Levine

This fall the Supreme Court will consider barring liability claims involving prescription drugs approved by the FDA.

The LA Times ran a decent article today on Wyeth v. Levine that is worth a read. I’ve posted on this case before—it is scheduled to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court this fall. If Wyeth gets its way, the precedent established in this case could quite possibly give the high-hard-one to consumers who have been injured by drug companies’ failing to warn them of the risks associated with their prescription drugs.

Butt Out! PA’s Anti-Smoking Bill Takes Effect Today.

______________________ Smoking Ban... Goofy or Great?

Pennsylvania Senate Bill No. 246, the “Clean Indoor Air Act” goes into effect today… (on 9/11 no less!). Smoking will be banned in “enclosed workplaces and commercial establishments and in areas where the public is invited or permitted”.

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• View the full text of PA Senate Bill No. 246.
• View other PA Senate Bill No. 246 posts on S W A L L O W

Image courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

National Call-In Day! Demand Action in Congress on the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Act

Demand action in Congress!

Call 1-866-PARITY4 (1-866-727-4894)

Add your voice to those demanding action in Congress on the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Act. Today advocates will be calling their U.S. Representatives and Senators urging passage of the legislation requiring equitable coverage of mental illness and substance abuse treatment by group health plans. Congress will adjourn in a few weeks. Action is needed today to ensure it passes this year.

Call the toll-free Parity Hotline: 1-866-PARITY4 (1-866-727-4894) today, Wednesday, September 10. The Parity Hotline reaches the U.S. Capitol switchboard, which can connect callers to the offices of their members of Congress – both House and Senate.

Republican and Democrat Formal Party Platforms Support Drug Courts

Both parties endorse Drug Courts.

With the conventions behind them, both Republicans and Democrats have released their 2008 formal party platforms — and both platforms specifically name and endorse Drug Courts as part of their agendas.

These commitments could indicate that Drug Courts will be “taken to scale” as the next Presidential Administration takes office.