Teaming up with Russell Simmons

April 28, 2009 / 99 Comments


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I
recently had dinner with my dear friend, Russell Simmons in NYC, and we
got into an in depth conversation about something that I didn’t know a
whole lot about. He told me about how, a couple weeks ago, he
was standing side by side with Governor David Paterson of New York
when, with one stroke of a pen, he ended the Rockefeller Drug Laws once
and for all. For the past seven years, Russell has been a
leading member of a campaign to end the Rockefeller Drug Laws, which
started mandatory minimum sentences in 1973 (meaning that if you get
busted for drugs, you get automatic sentencing, even if you’re an
addict or are non-violent). I learned during our conversation
that since the “War on Drugs” began in the 70’s, America has gone from
incarcerating 200,000 people to 2.4 million this year.  When he told me that, I was shocked!! How did we get to this point where so many people are in prison? I
am not an expert in this area, and honestly, I have never really paid attention to
this issue in the past, but it doesn’t seem like we are on the right
path. I wonder why we put so many people in prison and treat so many drug users like criminals? Surely the best thing to do would be to get help for those who need it, instead of ignoring the problem and throwing them in jail, to take up spaces that should be filled with criminals… not addicts. A lot of people need support and treatment, and to be treated like individuals who need help, not criminals who need to be locked away in a cell. This is an issue that affects our whole nation, not just New York, so, I asked Russell how I could help. 

 

With
the success of the Rockefeller Drug Law campaign, he was recently
approached by the White House and the US Attorney General to support
them in a major initiative to reform the criminal justice system
nationwide.  He asked me if I would join him on this journey.  I
was humbled since I definitely need to learn more, but I will count on
Russell to teach me more and I am ready to dive into this issue and
speak to anyone who is willing to listen.  And I know that if our generation decides that something needs to be changed, we will make that change.

What do you guys thing about this issue? It’s one I haven’t brought up before, but I’m sure you guys have some thoughts, and I’d love to hear them!

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Comments (99)

  1. jelly  |   Posted on May 5th, 2009

    Laws are put in place to scare people. Obviously the mandatory 15 years of prison time didn’t scare enough people to stay clear of drugs. I do think the criminal justice system needs to be re-worked, but I think those who studied criminal justice and law should be the ones researching and advocating, such as myself. Russell is educated, he has done a lot of work in this area, if he wants “celebs” to join him, then that’s his choice, but I think he should have recruited college grads who actually have a passion for this and studied the legal system to help him. I hope you actually take the time to read up on law and the criminal justice system, took me over 4 years I’m glad russell is having such a positive impact on you, keep it up. But just know that in some cases, therapy/re-hab does not work, and the only solution is jail time. How many of us would want to live next door to a drug addict? Not me. A lot of them are better off in jail, I’ve done my research, I know. We are talking about life-long drug users, most of which will rob/shoot/kill for drugs if it came down to it.

    Reply
  2. Chloe  |   Posted on May 5th, 2009

    life in danger too!Do you guys prefer having criminals behind bars or breaking into your house etc..?Come on!Open your eyes,you know what you are doing!It is not get help for some people,it is get a life!I’m glad that at least with have death penalty still

    Reply
  3. Serene  |   Posted on May 5th, 2009

    Dear Kim, I loved your calendar shoot so much, i loved your orange and plum dress it complemented your gorgeous tan perfectly, i am getting married in june and would love to have that dress for my island honeymoon, where can i get it from? And i would like to know how you achieved that gorgeous tan.

    Thank you love always Serene.

    Reply
  4. troque  |   Posted on May 5th, 2009

    I have been to jail for drugs and have gotten the help that I needed but you have to look at how many times these people have gotten help and then relapsed! They have to want it and most of the time it is the kids that suffer. We do need better laws!

    Reply
  5. Farzeen ;)  |   Posted on May 5th, 2009

    KIMMIE U HAVE A BIG HEART AND GOOD THINGS WILL COME UR WAU. U MOTIVATE ME TO WANT TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE IN NEED NO MATTER WHAT THEIR DIFFICULTY IS. THIS IS A TOUGH SITUATION. GOD BLESS U AND EVERYONE ELSE TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
    XOXO

    Reply
  6. Mae  |   Posted on May 5th, 2009

    I think its such a bad idea to put drug users (addict or not) into jail. Prisons are now overcrowded. Its the dealers who need to be caught and put to prison. Users should be offered or forced to get help & put on probation not locked up for so many years.

    Reply
  7. o-rene  |   Posted on May 5th, 2009

    I have been saying for about 2 yrs now that they need too take people with drug issues and have a treatment center for them to go too. Putting them in jail will not accomplish a thing. The reason I know this is because my son was in trouble for a bad habit

    Reply
  8. o-rene  |   Posted on May 5th, 2009

    Okay I ran out of space here and anyhows I fought the system here in montana on it and we won and they put my son in treatment. This was last year after he was put in jail and they wanted to send if off. I feel that this matter is important and if we have

    Reply
  9. o-rene  |   Posted on May 5th, 2009

    we all need to stand a one and fight the legal system. Maybe set it up to when you can get people from every state to unite. I’am a true believer in this matter and if you or anyone else needs any help please feel free to contact me. Thanks, Rene montana.

    Reply
  10. LeRod  |   Posted on May 5th, 2009

    Kim the reason there is a drug problem in America is because of U(postERR girl) and the way U live, Your display of excess is as evil as any pusher, even the criminal pauses, but U have no brakes, but breaks R gonna have U. Love Par(even)LA(the)mint(mint).

    Reply

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