Drug Policy Forum Of Texas

 

January 20, 2003 Meeting Minutes

 

 

1.            In attendance:  Dr. Robison, Frank Smith, Tami Halphen, Faye Hamilton, Jerry Epstein, Cheryl and Steve Nolin, Tom Schubert, Art Smart, Mauryzia Wong, Kay Staley and Clayton Jones.

 

2.            Meeting started at 7:15 pm. Dr. Robison greeted the group.

 

3.            Dr. Robison spoke about the situation in Austin and informed the group we will be closing the Houston office and Cheryl will work from her home.

 

4.            Dr. Robison told group about plans to raise money for DPFT and gave a brief summary of the video the group was about to view.

 

5.            The group watched the video entitled “Raising More Money”.

 

6.            After watching the video, Dr. Robison informed the group of the Task Force meetings that are held at the DPFT office weekly to work on the first “Point of Entry” that is to take place in March at the home of Bob and Ann Lee.

 

7.            Dr. Robison discussed the need for an emotional hook and stated we need several Medical Marijuana patients. He also stated a good emotional hook would be Marilyn Gambrel and her role with the children of parents that are in prison.

 

8.            Art stated he would like to interview Alan Bean as well as the parents of Esequiel Hernandez. The group agreed both would be good emotional hooks.

 

9.            Kay was very adamant that we should not be trying to raise more money, but we should be talking to our reps and getting more people to volunteer to educate people about the DPFT. She also would like to show what DPFT has done in the past and what the DPFT goals are for the future. Art stated the need to educate the people about who we are and what we do, what we will be doing and why we are doing it.

 

10.        Jerry spoke in depth about his luncheon with Rep. Heflin and stated that he and Dr. Robison are both working on educating members of the City Council.

 

11.        Discussed as a group how we can get more people involved in our cause.

 

12.        Dr. Robison briefly discussed his retirement from the DPFT but stated he will still be around to help.

 

13.        Dr. Robison asked the group once again if anyone was willing to be on a Meeting Committee. Tom stated the need to have a subject matter for each meeting. The group discussed this in depth.

 

14.        Art suggested the need to abolish the D.A.R.E. program as a cost-cutting measure for city government.  Several comments where made on this subject by most everyone in the group.

 

15.        Steve informed the group of the upcoming “Evict the DEA” that is to take place on February 18th at the Federal Building downtown

 

16.        Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.