Chicago, IL: Jacob Sullum, a senior editor at Reason magazine, will discuss his provocative new book, Saying Yes: In Defense of Drug Use, at The Heartland Institute, 19 South LaSalle Street, Suite 903, Chicago, Illinois, on Thursday, June 12, 2003, during a noon lunch program. Lunch will be provided.
Admission is $10.00 in advance, $15.00 at the door for Heartland members; $15.00 in advance, $20.00 at the door for nonmembers. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited. To register, call Latonya Harris at 312/377-4000, or register online: Members * Nonmembers.
As part of its public policy program, The Heartland Institute, a national think tank, has provided research and commentary on the failure of the current war on drugs, and on alternatives to the policies that currently carry a high cost in tax dollars and human lives. Sullum’s visit is part of Heartland’s effort to generate continuing debate on the issue of drug use and prohibition. Copies of Sullum’s book will be available at the event, and the author will sign copies.
In Saying Yes: In Defense of Drug Use, Sullum makes public what many Americans discuss only in private: Drug use as it is described by politicians and propagandists is very different from drug use as it is experienced by the silent majority of users. Sullum describes these as decent people who, despite their politically incorrect choice of intoxicants, lead productive and fulfilling lives.
Sullum further argues drug use should be viewed the same way as drinking, with an emphasis on temperance rather than abstinence. He uses compelling stories about real people to illustrate the point that responsible drug use is possible.
Sullum believes the assumption that certain drugs cannot be used responsibly is one of the biggest obstacles to drug policy reform, and his book is a bold effort to refute what he describes as a “myth.” Saying Yes takes an important step toward ending the nation’s costly and devastating war on drugs.
Advance reviews of Saying Yes: In Defense of Drugs have said:
“Sullum pits the truth against the lies of the drug prohibitionists.” – Thomas Szasz, professor emeritus of psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University
“Jacob Sullum has produced a thoughtful, sane, and logical analysis of our drug laws. Is that even legal?” – Dave Barry, syndicated columnist
“Jacob Sullum dismantles the antidrug messages…” – The New Yorker
“I’ve never used a recreational drug (or even had a sip of alcohol) in my life, but Jacob Sullum makes a great case to stop the drug wars. He exposes the tricks of the drug warriors, who scam the crowd with huckster patter about magical substances that force people to do evil.” – Penn Jillette, the taller, louder half of Penn & Teller.
Jacob Sullum is a senior editor at Reason Magazine and the author of For Your Own Good: The Anti-Smoking Crusade and the Tyranny of Public Health. His weekly column, distributed by Creators Syndicate, appears in newspapers across the country. His work also has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, National Review, and Cigar Aficionado.
For more information contact Heartland Public Affairs Director Greg Lackner at 312/377-4000, 773/489-6447, email [email protected]
