to start I was raised probably the same way that all of you were – in effect
way that all of you were – in effect
way that all of you were – in effect equate heroin with bad with evil and
equate heroin with bad with evil and
equate heroin with bad with evil and with prison and you kind of don’t think
with prison and you kind of don’t think
with prison and you kind of don’t think about it that much but we all know that
about it that much but we all know that
about it that much but we all know that being addicted any of these substances
being addicted any of these substances
being addicted any of these substances is certainly not a good thing and
is certainly not a good thing and
is certainly not a good thing and nothing that I will say will imply in
nothing that I will say will imply in
nothing that I will say will imply in any fashion that it’s not a serious
any fashion that it’s not a serious
any fashion that it’s not a serious thing I can also say that after college
thing I can also say that after college
thing I can also say that after college I was in the Peace Corps and so just I
I was in the Peace Corps and so just I
I was in the Peace Corps and so just I bring that up to show you that I care
bring that up to show you that I care
bring that up to show you that I care about people after the Peace Corps I
about people after the Peace Corps I
about people after the Peace Corps I went into law school and was immediately
went into law school and was immediately
went into law school and was immediately being drafted it was the height of the
being drafted it was the height of the
being drafted it was the height of the Vietnam War about 1968
Vietnam War about 1968
Vietnam War about 1968 and so I joined and listed with the Navy
and so I joined and listed with the Navy
and so I joined and listed with the Navy and after law school I became a navy
and after law school I became a navy
and after law school I became a navy lawyer a staff judge advocate in the
lawyer a staff judge advocate in the
lawyer a staff judge advocate in the u.s. naval air station in Guam and
u.s. naval air station in Guam and
u.s. naval air station in Guam and thereafter a criminal defense attorney
thereafter a criminal defense attorney
thereafter a criminal defense attorney at US Naval Air Station in Lemoore
at US Naval Air Station in Lemoore
at US Naval Air Station in Lemoore California and in Guam I saw of course
California and in Guam I saw of course
California and in Guam I saw of course that I was filling out charge sheets
that I was filling out charge sheets
that I was filling out charge sheets against my shipmates for numbers of
against my shipmates for numbers of
against my shipmates for numbers of offenses certainly including drug
offenses certainly including drug
offenses certainly including drug offenses and then as additional duty I
offenses and then as additional duty I
offenses and then as additional duty I was a criminal defense attorney
was a criminal defense attorney
was a criminal defense attorney defending people other shipmates from
defending people other shipmates from
defending people other shipmates from other commands that were charged with
other commands that were charged with
other commands that were charged with other things including drug offenses
other things including drug offenses
other things including drug offenses didn’t think about it very much just
didn’t think about it very much just
didn’t think about it very much just thought that was the normal thing to do
thought that was the normal thing to do
thought that was the normal thing to do I was in effect a drug warrior looking
I was in effect a drug warrior looking
I was in effect a drug warrior looking back though at the beginning in Guam in
back though at the beginning in Guam in
back though at the beginning in Guam in about 1972 they had made big headlines
about 1972 they had made big headlines
about 1972 they had made big headlines in the paper saying that they had their
in the paper saying that they had their
in the paper saying that they had their first homicide since the end of the
first homicide since the end of the
first homicide since the end of the Second World War and they were all
Second World War and they were all
Second World War and they were all concerned about that and wondered how it
concerned about that and wondered how it
concerned about that and wondered how it happened and as time went along it
happened and as time went along it
happened and as time went along it turned out that lots of people were
turned out that lots of people were
turned out that lots of people were starting to bring illegal drugs during
starting to bring illegal drugs during
starting to bring illegal drugs during the Vietnam War in military aircraft
the Vietnam War in military aircraft
the Vietnam War in military aircraft from Vietnam from Thailand and this
from Vietnam from Thailand and this
from Vietnam from Thailand and this homicide turned out to be yet another
homicide turned out to be yet another
homicide turned out to be yet another drug deal that went wrong
drug deal that went wrong
drug deal that went wrong and by the time I left the island a
and by the time I left the island a
and by the time I left the island a couple of years later unfortunately it
couple of years later unfortunately it
couple of years later unfortunately it was a fairly common experience to have
was a fairly common experience to have
was a fairly common experience to have homicides that were drug-related after
homicides that were drug-related after
homicides that were drug-related after that and I was discharged from the Navy
that and I was discharged from the Navy
that and I was discharged from the Navy I became a federal prosecutor in Los
I became a federal prosecutor in Los
I became a federal prosecutor in Los Angeles and for at least a short time
Angeles and for at least a short time
Angeles and for at least a short time held the record for the largest drug
held the record for the largest drug
held the record for the largest drug prosecution in the Central District of
prosecution in the Central District of
prosecution in the Central District of California 75 kilos of heroin 165 pounds
California 75 kilos of heroin 165 pounds
California 75 kilos of heroin 165 pounds was and is a whole bunch of heroin but
was and is a whole bunch of heroin but
was and is a whole bunch of heroin but does anyone have a concept of what the
does anyone have a concept of what the
does anyone have a concept of what the record prosecution is today in the
record prosecution is today in the
record prosecution is today in the Central District of California 17 tons
Central District of California 17 tons
Central District of California 17 tons cane in one place just boggles your mind
cane in one place just boggles your mind
cane in one place just boggles your mind as to the amount of drugs that we’re
as to the amount of drugs that we’re
as to the amount of drugs that we’re talking about and if you really think
talking about and if you really think
talking about and if you really think about it seriously
about it seriously
about it seriously there’s no Society in the history of
there’s no Society in the history of
there’s no Society in the history of mankind that has not had some form of
mankind that has not had some form of
mankind that has not had some form of mind-altering sometimes addicting
mind-altering sometimes addicting
mind-altering sometimes addicting substance to use to misuse to abuse and
substance to use to misuse to abuse and
substance to use to misuse to abuse and even get addicted to except maybe the
even get addicted to except maybe the
even get addicted to except maybe the Eskimos because they couldn’t grow
Eskimos because they couldn’t grow
Eskimos because they couldn’t grow anything but now chemistry and
anything but now chemistry and
anything but now chemistry and Transportation has changed that as well
Transportation has changed that as well
Transportation has changed that as well so let’s come to the blunt reality here
so let’s come to the blunt reality here
so let’s come to the blunt reality here that these drugs harmful as they can be
that these drugs harmful as they can be
that these drugs harmful as they can be are here to stay I’m sorry to be so
are here to stay I’m sorry to be so
are here to stay I’m sorry to be so blunt but that’s the reality so if
blunt but that’s the reality so if
blunt but that’s the reality so if that’s the case they’re going to bring
that’s the case they’re going to bring
that’s the case they’re going to bring armed to our society so we should
armed to our society so we should
armed to our society so we should government as a people come up with
government as a people come up with
government as a people come up with forms of approaches to that that reduce
forms of approaches to that that reduce
forms of approaches to that that reduce those harms and that’s where we should
those harms and that’s where we should
those harms and that’s where we should go and prison is not in that list so you
go and prison is not in that list so you
go and prison is not in that list so you come to other realizations that for
come to other realizations that for
come to other realizations that for example you can arrest convict
example you can arrest convict
example you can arrest convict incarcerate a big-time drug user excuse
incarcerate a big-time drug user excuse
incarcerate a big-time drug user excuse me a big-time drug seller and that does
me a big-time drug seller and that does
me a big-time drug seller and that does not reduce the amount of drugs illegal
not reduce the amount of drugs illegal
not reduce the amount of drugs illegal drugs in your society yes maybe four six
drugs in your society yes maybe four six
drugs in your society yes maybe four six twelve fourteen hours but then other
twelve fourteen hours but then other
twelve fourteen hours but then other people see it as a employment
people see it as a employment
people see it as a employment opportunity and end up replacing that
opportunity and end up replacing that
opportunity and end up replacing that person and drugs are fully available you
person and drugs are fully available you
person and drugs are fully available you look at the system otherwise if you
look at the system otherwise if you
look at the system otherwise if you arrest and convict a serial rapist rape
arrest and convict a serial rapist rape
arrest and convict a serial rapist rape goes down in your community you arrest
goes down in your community you arrest
goes down in your community you arrest and convict a burglar car theft those
and convict a burglar car theft those
and convict a burglar car theft those offenses go down as well but it’s not
offenses go down as well but it’s not
offenses go down as well but it’s not true with drugs I was one time giving a
true with drugs I was one time giving a
true with drugs I was one time giving a talk in front of a pretty conservative
talk in front of a pretty conservative
talk in front of a pretty conservative group and there happened to be three
group and there happened to be three
group and there happened to be three prison wardens in the audience and I
prison wardens in the audience and I
prison wardens in the audience and I made the comment look folks we can’t
made the comment look folks we can’t
made the comment look folks we can’t even keep these drugs bad as they can be
even keep these drugs bad as they can be
even keep these drugs bad as they can be out of our prisons for heaven’s sake how
out of our prisons for heaven’s sake how
out of our prisons for heaven’s sake how do you expect to keep them off the
do you expect to keep them off the
do you expect to keep them off the streets of any of our town in cities
streets of any of our town in cities
streets of any of our town in cities that you can get as many drugs as you
that you can get as many drugs as you
that you can get as many drugs as you want in your prisons depending basically
want in your prisons depending basically
want in your prisons depending basically on price and one of the Gordon’s smiled
on price and one of the Gordon’s smiled
on price and one of the Gordon’s smiled and said well you can’t get all you want
and said well you can’t get all you want
and said well you can’t get all you want but okay so let’s come to that
but okay so let’s come to that
but okay so let’s come to that realization you then look at Governor
realization you then look at Governor
realization you then look at Governor Gary Johnson’s comment a friend of mine
Gary Johnson’s comment a friend of mine
Gary Johnson’s comment a friend of mine who said okay it’s clear that we have
who said okay it’s clear that we have
who said okay it’s clear that we have drug problems in our society but about
drug problems in our society but about
drug problems in our society but about ten of them are related to the
ten of them are related to the
ten of them are related to the itself again not minimizing them but 90%
itself again not minimizing them but 90%
itself again not minimizing them but 90% are drug prohibition problems drug money
are drug prohibition problems drug money
are drug prohibition problems drug money problems graphic example look at what’s
problems graphic example look at what’s
problems graphic example look at what’s going on in Mexico all of this violence
going on in Mexico all of this violence
going on in Mexico all of this violence crime beheadings has nothing to do with
crime beheadings has nothing to do with
crime beheadings has nothing to do with drugs whatsoever nothing it’s all drug
drugs whatsoever nothing it’s all drug
drugs whatsoever nothing it’s all drug money that causes those things and it’s
money that causes those things and it’s
money that causes those things and it’s our drug money that does it
our drug money that does it
our drug money that does it so let’s come to that reality look we
so let’s come to that reality look we
so let’s come to that reality look we cannot repeal the law of supply and
cannot repeal the law of supply and
cannot repeal the law of supply and demand and figuratively if you have
demand and figuratively if you have
demand and figuratively if you have somebody holding a 50 dollar bill out on
somebody holding a 50 dollar bill out on
somebody holding a 50 dollar bill out on the on a street corner saying give me
the on a street corner saying give me
the on a street corner saying give me $50 worth of marijuana somebody is going
$50 worth of marijuana somebody is going
$50 worth of marijuana somebody is going to meet that demand so we’re either
to meet that demand so we’re either
to meet that demand so we’re either going to have marijuana for example in
going to have marijuana for example in
going to have marijuana for example in our society regardless marijuana is the
our society regardless marijuana is the
our society regardless marijuana is the largest cash crop in the state of
largest cash crop in the state of
largest cash crop in the state of California today that implies to me that
California today that implies to me that
California today that implies to me that somebody’s using it so let’s recognize
somebody’s using it so let’s recognize
somebody’s using it so let’s recognize that by the way grapes is number two so
that by the way grapes is number two so
that by the way grapes is number two so if we have that is a major product let’s
if we have that is a major product let’s
if we have that is a major product let’s take away a whole lot of money from
take away a whole lot of money from
take away a whole lot of money from juvenile street gangs from Mexican drug
juvenile street gangs from Mexican drug
juvenile street gangs from Mexican drug cartels and other thugs and use it
cartels and other thugs and use it
cartels and other thugs and use it control it and use that money to pay our
control it and use that money to pay our
control it and use that money to pay our firefighters pay our teachers and fix
firefighters pay our teachers and fix
firefighters pay our teachers and fix our roads how can the difficult can this
our roads how can the difficult can this
our roads how can the difficult can this be so you get closer to the situation
be so you get closer to the situation
be so you get closer to the situation and you will understand the truth that
and you will understand the truth that
and you will understand the truth that the term Controlled Substances is the
the term Controlled Substances is the
the term Controlled Substances is the biggest oxymoron in our world today that
biggest oxymoron in our world today that
biggest oxymoron in our world today that means basically in a term that’s in
means basically in a term that’s in
means basically in a term that’s in internally inconsistent controlled
internally inconsistent controlled
internally inconsistent controlled substances no because as soon as you
substances no because as soon as you
substances no because as soon as you prohibit a substance you give up all of
prohibit a substance you give up all of
prohibit a substance you give up all of your controls to the bad guys you know
your controls to the bad guys you know
your controls to the bad guys you know anything dealing with quality control a
anything dealing with quality control a
anything dealing with quality control a huge issue demand advertising price age
huge issue demand advertising price age
huge issue demand advertising price age restrictions you all give those up to
restrictions you all give those up to
restrictions you all give those up to the Mexican drug cartels and the
the Mexican drug cartels and the
the Mexican drug cartels and the juvenile street gangs we couldn’t do it
juvenile street gangs we couldn’t do it
juvenile street gangs we couldn’t do it worse if we tried so these are things
worse if we tried so these are things
worse if we tried so these are things that we need to look at we need to allow
that we need to look at we need to allow
that we need to look at we need to allow ourselves to discuss this because we
ourselves to discuss this because we
ourselves to discuss this because we have a prohibition on discussion just
have a prohibition on discussion just
have a prohibition on discussion just because we discuss drug policy just
because we discuss drug policy just
because we discuss drug policy just because we discussed that we have
because we discussed that we have
because we discussed that we have options or even engage in those options
options or even engage in those options
options or even engage in those options does not mean we condone drug
does not mean we condone drug
does not mean we condone drug we just get that point across to our
we just get that point across to our
we just get that point across to our fellow citizens I guarantee you we will
fellow citizens I guarantee you we will
fellow citizens I guarantee you we will change away from drug policy from drug
change away from drug policy from drug
change away from drug policy from drug prohibition so I felt so strongly about
prohibition so I felt so strongly about
prohibition so I felt so strongly about this I became a judge in the end of 1983
this I became a judge in the end of 1983
this I became a judge in the end of 1983 and would see in my own courtroom we’re
and would see in my own courtroom we’re
and would see in my own courtroom we’re churning low-level drug offenders
churning low-level drug offenders
churning low-level drug offenders through the system for no good purpose
through the system for no good purpose
through the system for no good purpose whatsoever by the way many of them are
whatsoever by the way many of them are
whatsoever by the way many of them are mentally ill that are self-medicating in
mentally ill that are self-medicating in
mentally ill that are self-medicating in order to stave off the demons or
order to stave off the demons or
order to stave off the demons or whatever and we’re doing untold harm to
whatever and we’re doing untold harm to
whatever and we’re doing untold harm to these mentally fragile people by putting
these mentally fragile people by putting
these mentally fragile people by putting them in jail the United States of
them in jail the United States of
them in jail the United States of America leads the world in the
America leads the world in the
America leads the world in the incarceration of our people both by
incarceration of our people both by
incarceration of our people both by sheer numbers as well as per capita
sheer numbers as well as per capita
sheer numbers as well as per capita you’ll hear the statistic and it should
you’ll hear the statistic and it should
you’ll hear the statistic and it should really bother you as it bothers me we
really bother you as it bothers me we
really bother you as it bothers me we have 5% of the Nate of the world’s
have 5% of the Nate of the world’s
have 5% of the Nate of the world’s population and 25% of its prisoners
population and 25% of its prisoners
population and 25% of its prisoners we’re either the most preeminent lis
we’re either the most preeminent lis
we’re either the most preeminent lis oriented people in the world or we’re
oriented people in the world or we’re
oriented people in the world or we’re doing something wrong which do you think
doing something wrong which do you think
doing something wrong which do you think it is so I did something very unusual
it is so I did something very unusual
it is so I did something very unusual for a sitting trial court judge in
for a sitting trial court judge in
for a sitting trial court judge in Orange County California back in April
Orange County California back in April
Orange County California back in April of 1992 and I held a press conference
of 1992 and I held a press conference
of 1992 and I held a press conference very unusual thing to do and told anyone
very unusual thing to do and told anyone
very unusual thing to do and told anyone that would listen
that would listen
that would listen hey we’re not doing it right we could do
hey we’re not doing it right we could do
hey we’re not doing it right we could do it better drug prohibition isn’t working
it better drug prohibition isn’t working
it better drug prohibition isn’t working and since that time I’ve been speaking
and since that time I’ve been speaking
and since that time I’ve been speaking publicly as often as I can to people
publicly as often as I can to people
publicly as often as I can to people that would hear me and now when I talked
that would hear me and now when I talked
that would hear me and now when I talked to Rotary Clubs religious organizations
to Rotary Clubs religious organizations
to Rotary Clubs religious organizations chambers of commerce whatever I tell
chambers of commerce whatever I tell
chambers of commerce whatever I tell them the stark truth which is drug
them the stark truth which is drug
them the stark truth which is drug prohibition is the biggest failed policy
prohibition is the biggest failed policy
prohibition is the biggest failed policy in the history of the United States of
in the history of the United States of
in the history of the United States of America second only to slavery and if
America second only to slavery and if
America second only to slavery and if you’ll listen regardless of what your
you’ll listen regardless of what your
you’ll listen regardless of what your interests are I will tell you that
interests are I will tell you that
interests are I will tell you that regardless of what that is it can be
regardless of what that is it can be
regardless of what that is it can be with education or health care or
with education or health care or
with education or health care or criminal or or terrorism environment I
criminal or or terrorism environment I
criminal or or terrorism environment I will show you to your satisfaction how
will show you to your satisfaction how
will show you to your satisfaction how it is made worse because of our nation’s
it is made worse because of our nation’s
it is made worse because of our nation’s policy of drug prohibition we couldn’t
policy of drug prohibition we couldn’t
policy of drug prohibition we couldn’t do it worse if we tried so these are
do it worse if we tried so these are
do it worse if we tried so these are things that we’re facing most people
things that we’re facing most people
things that we’re facing most people realize that drug prohibition is not
realize that drug prohibition is not
realize that drug prohibition is not working and that word is getting out so
working and that word is getting out so
working and that word is getting out so why do we perpetuate this failed system
why do we perpetuate this failed system
why do we perpetuate this failed system and the answer they’re basically two
and the answer they’re basically two
and the answer they’re basically two answers and the first answer it comes in
answers and the first answer it comes in
answers and the first answer it comes in TOR
TOR
TOR and the answer is our children we want
and the answer is our children we want
and the answer is our children we want to protect our children so we will
to protect our children so we will
to protect our children so we will continue with this failed policy for all
continue with this failed policy for all
continue with this failed policy for all of its defects unquote because we want
of its defects unquote because we want
of its defects unquote because we want to keep our children away from a
to keep our children away from a
to keep our children away from a lifestyle of drug usage and drug selling
lifestyle of drug usage and drug selling
lifestyle of drug usage and drug selling but I’m here to tell you and I was in
but I’m here to tell you and I was in
but I’m here to tell you and I was in juvenile court you see this time and
juvenile court you see this time and
juvenile court you see this time and again that we are putting our children
again that we are putting our children
again that we are putting our children in harm’s way for two extremely
in harm’s way for two extremely
in harm’s way for two extremely important reasons and the first is don’t
important reasons and the first is don’t
important reasons and the first is don’t take my word for it ask the next ten
take my word for it ask the next ten
take my word for it ask the next ten teenagers you find what is easier for
teenagers you find what is easier for
teenagers you find what is easier for you to get if you want to marijuana or
you to get if you want to marijuana or
you to get if you want to marijuana or alcohol and every last one of them if
alcohol and every last one of them if
alcohol and every last one of them if they care would know where to go it
they care would know where to go it
they care would know where to go it would be easier for them to get
would be easier for them to get
would be easier for them to get marijuana or any other illicit substance
marijuana or any other illicit substance
marijuana or any other illicit substance then it would be alcohol why because
then it would be alcohol why because
then it would be alcohol why because drug dealers don’t ask for ID you know
drug dealers don’t ask for ID you know
drug dealers don’t ask for ID you know the least concern of an illegal drug
the least concern of an illegal drug
the least concern of an illegal drug dealer is age restrictions they don’t
dealer is age restrictions they don’t
dealer is age restrictions they don’t care somebody might say oh no one wants
care somebody might say oh no one wants
care somebody might say oh no one wants to get my 12 year old daughter hooked on
to get my 12 year old daughter hooked on
to get my 12 year old daughter hooked on cocaine and the answer is sure they do
cocaine and the answer is sure they do
cocaine and the answer is sure they do because they’ll make money on them a
because they’ll make money on them a
because they’ll make money on them a disgusting situation we couldn’t do it
disgusting situation we couldn’t do it
disgusting situation we couldn’t do it worse if we try it and number two
worse if we try it and number two
worse if we try it and number two putting our children in harm’s way is
putting our children in harm’s way is
putting our children in harm’s way is look most people understand oh I want to
look most people understand oh I want to
look most people understand oh I want to be in the NBA I want to be professional
be in the NBA I want to be professional
be in the NBA I want to be professional football in the NFL most of our kids
football in the NFL most of our kids
football in the NFL most of our kids understand that there really aren’t very
understand that there really aren’t very
understand that there really aren’t very many Michael Jordan’s coke Kobe Bryant
many Michael Jordan’s coke Kobe Bryant
many Michael Jordan’s coke Kobe Bryant so Stephon Curry’s so the odds of that
so Stephon Curry’s so the odds of that
so Stephon Curry’s so the odds of that are not good so we otherwise might as
are not good so we otherwise might as
are not good so we otherwise might as well take out billboards in the inner
well take out billboards in the inner
well take out billboards in the inner cities or anywhere else saying if you
cities or anywhere else saying if you
cities or anywhere else saying if you want to make some money the most money
want to make some money the most money
want to make some money the most money you can ever make is selling drugs
you can ever make is selling drugs
you can ever make is selling drugs Juvenal street gangs are using this as a
Juvenal street gangs are using this as a
Juvenal street gangs are using this as a recruiting tool hey you want to make
recruiting tool hey you want to make
recruiting tool hey you want to make some money join our gang and be part of
some money join our gang and be part of
some money join our gang and be part of the action
the action
the action not a good thing so let’s take the money
not a good thing so let’s take the money
not a good thing so let’s take the money away from those folks and on the macro
away from those folks and on the macro
away from those folks and on the macro level let’s look at Mexico like we said
level let’s look at Mexico like we said
level let’s look at Mexico like we said with all of the beheadings hey let’s
with all of the beheadings hey let’s
with all of the beheadings hey let’s look at something else drug prohibition
look at something else drug prohibition
look at something else drug prohibition is the Golden Goose of terrorism if our
is the Golden Goose of terrorism if our
is the Golden Goose of terrorism if our country really cared our government
country really cared our government
country really cared our government really cared about fighting terrorism
really cared about fighting terrorism
really cared about fighting terrorism understand that the largest source of
understand that the largest source of
understand that the largest source of funds for terrorist organizations around
funds for terrorist organizations around
funds for terrorist organizations around the world is drugs illegal drugs and if
the world is drugs illegal drugs and if
the world is drugs illegal drugs and if our government care
our government care
our government care puts tears in my eyes to say this but I
puts tears in my eyes to say this but I
puts tears in my eyes to say this but I believe it they would do the thing that
believe it they would do the thing that
believe it they would do the thing that would give the most results in fighting
would give the most results in fighting
would give the most results in fighting terrorism which is take away their money
terrorism which is take away their money
terrorism which is take away their money take away their funding and our
take away their funding and our
take away their funding and our government doesn’t even discuss that
government doesn’t even discuss that
government doesn’t even discuss that issue which is really a stupid result we
issue which is really a stupid result we
issue which is really a stupid result we must change away from this fail system
must change away from this fail system
must change away from this fail system but it’s not all doom and gloom I’m here
but it’s not all doom and gloom I’m here
but it’s not all doom and gloom I’m here to tell you that there are real options
to tell you that there are real options
to tell you that there are real options that we do have how many of you are
that we do have how many of you are
that we do have how many of you are aware for example of what has happened
aware for example of what has happened
aware for example of what has happened in Portugal since 2001 not very many and
in Portugal since 2001 not very many and
in Portugal since 2001 not very many and I fault the media for this there should
I fault the media for this there should
I fault the media for this there should be headlines in every newspaper saying
be headlines in every newspaper saying
be headlines in every newspaper saying hey we have hope there’s a better way
hey we have hope there’s a better way
hey we have hope there’s a better way Portugal in the year 2000 recognized
Portugal in the year 2000 recognized
Portugal in the year 2000 recognized that they had the largest drug problem
that they had the largest drug problem
that they had the largest drug problem of any country in the European Union so
of any country in the European Union so
of any country in the European Union so they did something really intelligent
they did something really intelligent
they did something really intelligent they actually put up a neutral
they actually put up a neutral
they actually put up a neutral Commission non-political Commission and
Commission non-political Commission and
Commission non-political Commission and tasked them to go out into the country
tasked them to go out into the country
tasked them to go out into the country figure out what our problems are and
figure out what our problems are and
figure out what our problems are and give us recommendations for what to do
give us recommendations for what to do
give us recommendations for what to do about it
about it
about it and the Commission took about nine
and the Commission took about nine
and the Commission took about nine twelve months and came back and said we
twelve months and came back and said we
twelve months and came back and said we have two problems in our country number
have two problems in our country number
have two problems in our country number one is if you are a problem drug user
one is if you are a problem drug user
one is if you are a problem drug user you’re afraid of your own government
you’re afraid of your own government
you’re afraid of your own government you’re not going to bring your problem
you’re not going to bring your problem
you’re not going to bring your problem to the government because they’ll punish
to the government because they’ll punish
to the government because they’ll punish you so they take it underground and
you so they take it underground and
you so they take it underground and number two is we’re spending so much
number two is we’re spending so much
number two is we’re spending so much money on the investigation prosecution
money on the investigation prosecution
money on the investigation prosecution and incarceration of nonviolent drug
and incarceration of nonviolent drug
and incarceration of nonviolent drug offenders we don’t have any money left
offenders we don’t have any money left
offenders we don’t have any money left for drug treatment so they did something
for drug treatment so they did something
for drug treatment so they did something really intelligent in Portugal in the
really intelligent in Portugal in the
really intelligent in Portugal in the year 2001 they decriminalized all drugs
year 2001 they decriminalized all drugs
year 2001 they decriminalized all drugs now let me to find some terms for a
now let me to find some terms for a
now let me to find some terms for a minute
minute
minute because I don’t want to legalize
because I don’t want to legalize
because I don’t want to legalize marijuana I don’t even know anybody that
marijuana I don’t even know anybody that
marijuana I don’t even know anybody that wants to legalize any of these drugs if
wants to legalize any of these drugs if
wants to legalize any of these drugs if you’re gonna think about legalization of
you’re gonna think about legalization of
you’re gonna think about legalization of drugs think aspirin you know your 12
drugs think aspirin you know your 12
drugs think aspirin you know your 12 year old daughter could go to any local
year old daughter could go to any local
year old daughter could go to any local pharmacy could buy generic could buy
pharmacy could buy generic could buy
pharmacy could buy generic could buy name brands could buy a case of this
name brands could buy a case of this
name brands could buy a case of this stuff it’s advertised by the free market
stuff it’s advertised by the free market
stuff it’s advertised by the free market no age restrictions no-one I know wants
no age restrictions no-one I know wants
no age restrictions no-one I know wants to do that what we want to do is have
to do that what we want to do is have
to do that what we want to do is have strict regulations and controls in
strict regulations and controls in
strict regulations and controls in effect like alcohol far different
effect like alcohol far different
effect like alcohol far different situation
situation
situation decriminalization means
decriminalization means
decriminalization means almost literally it is still illegal in
almost literally it is still illegal in
almost literally it is still illegal in Portugal or in Holland by the way to buy
Portugal or in Holland by the way to buy
Portugal or in Holland by the way to buy you sell possess any of these drugs but
you sell possess any of these drugs but
you sell possess any of these drugs but as long as you keep within very
as long as you keep within very
as long as you keep within very well-known general guidelines the police
well-known general guidelines the police
well-known general guidelines the police are instructed frequently in writing to
are instructed frequently in writing to
are instructed frequently in writing to look the other way and not and to leave
look the other way and not and to leave
look the other way and not and to leave these people alone now look I’m a judge
these people alone now look I’m a judge
these people alone now look I’m a judge I believe in having reasonable laws and
I believe in having reasonable laws and
I believe in having reasonable laws and I believe in enforcing those laws and to
I believe in enforcing those laws and to
I believe in enforcing those laws and to instruct your police not to follow the
instruct your police not to follow the
instruct your police not to follow the law conceptually causes me some problems
law conceptually causes me some problems
law conceptually causes me some problems nevertheless what happened in Portugal
nevertheless what happened in Portugal
nevertheless what happened in Portugal they decriminalized all drugs in 2001
they decriminalized all drugs in 2001
they decriminalized all drugs in 2001 and thereafter they had the Cato
and thereafter they had the Cato
and thereafter they had the Cato Institute about ten years after that
Institute about ten years after that
Institute about ten years after that took the information digested it and
took the information digested it and
took the information digested it and reported to the country and the world
reported to the country and the world
reported to the country and the world not in our newspapers much but to the
not in our newspapers much but to the
not in our newspapers much but to the world and they said you know drug use in
world and they said you know drug use in
world and they said you know drug use in Portugal pretty much remains the same
Portugal pretty much remains the same
Portugal pretty much remains the same which gives the lie to pretty much every
which gives the lie to pretty much every
which gives the lie to pretty much every drug czar we’ve ever had in our country
drug czar we’ve ever had in our country
drug czar we’ve ever had in our country who says oh we were to have a different
who says oh we were to have a different
who says oh we were to have a different option we’ve become a nation of drug
option we’ve become a nation of drug
option we’ve become a nation of drug Sambas or something like that not only
Sambas or something like that not only
Sambas or something like that not only is that silly I think it’s insulting but
is that silly I think it’s insulting but
is that silly I think it’s insulting but I wouldn’t you could give away cocaine
I wouldn’t you could give away cocaine
I wouldn’t you could give away cocaine on the street corner I’m not gonna Jam
on the street corner I’m not gonna Jam
on the street corner I’m not gonna Jam cocaine up my nose and I don’t think
cocaine up my nose and I don’t think
cocaine up my nose and I don’t think most other people aren’t either but that
most other people aren’t either but that
most other people aren’t either but that happened in Portugal drug usage pretty
happened in Portugal drug usage pretty
happened in Portugal drug usage pretty much remained the same but problem drug
much remained the same but problem drug
much remained the same but problem drug usage went down by 50% by half why
usage went down by 50% by half why
usage went down by 50% by half why because now if a police officer someone
because now if a police officer someone
because now if a police officer someone encounters somebody that’s under the
encounters somebody that’s under the
encounters somebody that’s under the influence these various drugs or is
influence these various drugs or is
influence these various drugs or is injecting or whatever yes they’re given
injecting or whatever yes they’re given
injecting or whatever yes they’re given a citation but not to come to judges
a citation but not to come to judges
a citation but not to come to judges like me but to go to medical
like me but to go to medical
like me but to go to medical professionals that can help them they’ll
professionals that can help them they’ll
professionals that can help them they’ll come in hey Charlie what are you using
come in hey Charlie what are you using
come in hey Charlie what are you using what your lifestyle what can we do to
what your lifestyle what can we do to
what your lifestyle what can we do to help you help you get a job help you
help you help you get a job help you
help you help you get a job help you have medical issues etc problem drug
have medical issues etc problem drug
have medical issues etc problem drug usage has gone down by 50% same thing
usage has gone down by 50% same thing
usage has gone down by 50% same thing basically in Holland who decriminalized
basically in Holland who decriminalized
basically in Holland who decriminalized all of these drugs basically back in the
all of these drugs basically back in the
all of these drugs basically back in the 1970s the Minister of Health held a
1970s the Minister of Health held a
1970s the Minister of Health held a press conference in Holland numbers of
press conference in Holland numbers of
press conference in Holland numbers of years ago and said we only have half the
years ago and said we only have half the
years ago and said we only have half the marijuana consumption in our country per
marijuana consumption in our country per
marijuana consumption in our country per capita as you do in the United States
capita as you do in the United States
capita as you do in the United States listen to this both for adults and for
listen to this both for adults and for
listen to this both for adults and for teenagers why he went on to say ah we
teenagers why he went on to say ah we
teenagers why he went on to say ah we have succeeded in making pot boring
have succeeded in making pot boring
have succeeded in making pot boring that’s a
that’s a
that’s a good thing we glamorize it by making it
good thing we glamorize it by making it
good thing we glamorize it by making it illegal by having an obscene profit
illegal by having an obscene profit
illegal by having an obscene profit motive to get you and other people
motive to get you and other people
motive to get you and other people hooked on it
hooked on it
hooked on it look people could sell alcohol and their
look people could sell alcohol and their
look people could sell alcohol and their high school campuses they could sell gen
high school campuses they could sell gen
high school campuses they could sell gen beam before all that matters they don’t
beam before all that matters they don’t
beam before all that matters they don’t they could why not
they could why not
they could why not because there’s no money in it let’s
because there’s no money in it let’s
because there’s no money in it let’s make the same thing with regard to these
make the same thing with regard to these
make the same thing with regard to these other drugs as well we have hope
other drugs as well we have hope
other drugs as well we have hope there are ways Switzerland I don’t know
there are ways Switzerland I don’t know
there are ways Switzerland I don’t know how many of you are familiar with what’s
how many of you are familiar with what’s
how many of you are familiar with what’s happened in Switzerland since the late
happened in Switzerland since the late
happened in Switzerland since the late 1990s they put in clinics in various
1990s they put in clinics in various
1990s they put in clinics in various heroin using cities and towns in
heroin using cities and towns in
heroin using cities and towns in Switzerland clinics made up of social
Switzerland clinics made up of social
Switzerland clinics made up of social workers medical doctors registered
workers medical doctors registered
workers medical doctors registered nurses they would bring these people in
nurses they would bring these people in
nurses they would bring these people in to the clinic and then what would they
to the clinic and then what would they
to the clinic and then what would they do pretty much the same thing you or I
do pretty much the same thing you or I
do pretty much the same thing you or I would do they try to help them get drug
would do they try to help them get drug
would do they try to help them get drug treatment get off their heroin but if
treatment get off their heroin but if
treatment get off their heroin but if they didn’t want to they say look as
they didn’t want to they say look as
they didn’t want to they say look as long as you satisfy three criteria we
long as you satisfy three criteria we
long as you satisfy three criteria we have a program for you the criteria are
have a program for you the criteria are
have a program for you the criteria are you’re at least 22 years of age and a
you’re at least 22 years of age and a
you’re at least 22 years of age and a failed traditional drug treatment at
failed traditional drug treatment at
failed traditional drug treatment at least twice that you are addicted to
least twice that you are addicted to
least twice that you are addicted to heroin not that hard to prove and number
heroin not that hard to prove and number
heroin not that hard to prove and number three that you’ll remain crime free in
three that you’ll remain crime free in
three that you’ll remain crime free in the future if you do that you’re on the
the future if you do that you’re on the
the future if you do that you’re on the program what did that mean they are
program what did that mean they are
program what did that mean they are given a prescription for heroin they can
given a prescription for heroin they can
given a prescription for heroin they can have it filled at pharmaceutical prices
have it filled at pharmaceutical prices
have it filled at pharmaceutical prices and then they can inject their heroin
and then they can inject their heroin
and then they can inject their heroin under medically controlled circumstances
under medically controlled circumstances
under medically controlled circumstances at the clinic now stop for a minute none
at the clinic now stop for a minute none
at the clinic now stop for a minute none of these drugs we’re talking about is
of these drugs we’re talking about is
of these drugs we’re talking about is expensive the only reason they’re
expensive the only reason they’re
expensive the only reason they’re expensive is because they’re illegal you
expensive is because they’re illegal you
expensive is because they’re illegal you know marijuana is not called a weed for
know marijuana is not called a weed for
know marijuana is not called a weed for nothing it’ll grow anywhere and heroines
nothing it’ll grow anywhere and heroines
nothing it’ll grow anywhere and heroines the opium poppy by the way for years the
the opium poppy by the way for years the
the opium poppy by the way for years the National Park Service was growing it in
National Park Service was growing it in
National Park Service was growing it in Monticello until the DEA found out about
Monticello until the DEA found out about
Monticello until the DEA found out about it it’s a beautiful flower
it it’s a beautiful flower
it it’s a beautiful flower DEA made them take it out but I assure
DEA made them take it out but I assure
DEA made them take it out but I assure you if it’ll grow in Virginia it will
you if it’ll grow in Virginia it will
you if it’ll grow in Virginia it will grow anywhere so the only reason these
grow anywhere so the only reason these
grow anywhere so the only reason these things are expensive is because they’re
things are expensive is because they’re
things are expensive is because they’re illegal so if you’re gonna get a
illegal so if you’re gonna get a
illegal so if you’re gonna get a prescription for a maximum amount of
prescription for a maximum amount of
prescription for a maximum amount of about ten dollars a day under
about ten dollars a day under
about ten dollars a day under pharmaceutical controlled prices you can
pharmaceutical controlled prices you can
pharmaceutical controlled prices you can afford that drug number two this is not
afford that drug number two this is not
afford that drug number two this is not an orgy so-called
an orgy so-called
an orgy so-called of heroin usage because remember there’s
of heroin usage because remember there’s
of heroin usage because remember there’s a medical doctor on this team and the
a medical doctor on this team and the
a medical doctor on this team and the medical doctor will give you a blood
medical doctor will give you a blood
medical doctor will give you a blood test and figure out the strength of your
test and figure out the strength of your
test and figure out the strength of your fiction and then will prescribe you
fiction and then will prescribe you
fiction and then will prescribe you enough heroin to maintain you at that
enough heroin to maintain you at that
enough heroin to maintain you at that level not enough to give you that
level not enough to give you that
level not enough to give you that euphoria or whatever it is not enough
euphoria or whatever it is not enough
euphoria or whatever it is not enough too much to go through a withdrawal but
too much to go through a withdrawal but
too much to go through a withdrawal but will maintain you at your current level
will maintain you at your current level
will maintain you at your current level hence by the way the program is called a
hence by the way the program is called a
hence by the way the program is called a heroin maintenance program back to the
heroin maintenance program back to the
heroin maintenance program back to the story soon they found out that of course
story soon they found out that of course
story soon they found out that of course no one there had overdosed
no one there had overdosed
no one there had overdosed because overdosing is a quality control
because overdosing is a quality control
because overdosing is a quality control problem it’s unknown strength it’s
problem it’s unknown strength it’s
problem it’s unknown strength it’s unknown purity on the streets you can
unknown purity on the streets you can
unknown purity on the streets you can use the same amount of heroin today that
use the same amount of heroin today that
use the same amount of heroin today that you used yesterday unbeknownst to you
you used yesterday unbeknownst to you
you used yesterday unbeknownst to you it’s three times stronger you use it and
it’s three times stronger you use it and
it’s three times stronger you use it and you die that’s a drug drug prohibition
you die that’s a drug drug prohibition
you die that’s a drug drug prohibition problem nobody’s overdosed in
problem nobody’s overdosed in
problem nobody’s overdosed in Switzerland nobody’s gotten AIDS
Switzerland nobody’s gotten AIDS
Switzerland nobody’s gotten AIDS nobody has caused gotten any of these
nobody has caused gotten any of these
nobody has caused gotten any of these other blood-borne diseases employment
other blood-borne diseases employment
other blood-borne diseases employment has gone up by 50%
has gone up by 50%
has gone up by 50% they’re basically able to get off the
they’re basically able to get off the
they’re basically able to get off the dole treat their families like they like
dole treat their families like they like
dole treat their families like they like they want to these things work and by
they want to these things work and by
they want to these things work and by the way this is also very consistent
the way this is also very consistent
the way this is also very consistent with my libertarian philosophy that you
with my libertarian philosophy that you
with my libertarian philosophy that you all know who Robert Downey jr. is the
all know who Robert Downey jr. is the
all know who Robert Downey jr. is the very successful actor but it’s pretty
very successful actor but it’s pretty
very successful actor but it’s pretty much had a life of a very long heroin
much had a life of a very long heroin
much had a life of a very long heroin problem and I’m proud of him he’s making
problem and I’m proud of him he’s making
problem and I’m proud of him he’s making good movies but he should be careful he
good movies but he should be careful he
good movies but he should be careful he will always have that craving but it
will always have that craving but it
will always have that craving but it makes as much sense to me to put this
makes as much sense to me to put this
makes as much sense to me to put this gifted actor Robert Downey jr. in jail
gifted actor Robert Downey jr. in jail
gifted actor Robert Downey jr. in jail for his heroin problem as it would have
for his heroin problem as it would have
for his heroin problem as it would have Betty Ford in jail for her alcohol
Betty Ford in jail for her alcohol
Betty Ford in jail for her alcohol problem and as you all know Betty Ford
problem and as you all know Betty Ford
problem and as you all know Betty Ford was the wife of President Gerald Ford
was the wife of President Gerald Ford
was the wife of President Gerald Ford and of what Anna self acknowledged
and of what Anna self acknowledged
and of what Anna self acknowledged alcoholic so it’s a medical issue you
alcoholic so it’s a medical issue you
alcoholic so it’s a medical issue you want to bring them closer to medical
want to bring them closer to medical
want to bring them closer to medical professionals that can help them instead
professionals that can help them instead
professionals that can help them instead of rendering them automatic criminals
of rendering them automatic criminals
of rendering them automatic criminals and pushing them farther away but if
and pushing them farther away but if
and pushing them farther away but if Robert Downey jr. Betty Ford you or I
Robert Downey jr. Betty Ford you or I
Robert Downey jr. Betty Ford you or I drive a motor vehicle impaired by you
drive a motor vehicle impaired by you
drive a motor vehicle impaired by you name it methamphetamines alcohol which
name it methamphetamines alcohol which
name it methamphetamines alcohol which is my drug of choice marijuana heroin
is my drug of choice marijuana heroin
is my drug of choice marijuana heroin whatever that’s a crime what’s the
whatever that’s a crime what’s the
whatever that’s a crime what’s the difference
difference
difference hear ye hear ye I love that statement
hear ye hear ye I love that statement
hear ye hear ye I love that statement hear ye hear ye
hear ye hear ye
hear ye hear ye the criminal justice system is designed
the criminal justice system is designed
the criminal justice system is designed for and quite good at holding people
for and quite good at holding people
for and quite good at holding people accountable for their actions protecting
accountable for their actions protecting
accountable for their actions protecting us from each other
us from each other
us from each other so if you drive a motor vehicle impaired
so if you drive a motor vehicle impaired
so if you drive a motor vehicle impaired by any of these you’re putting our
by any of these you’re putting our
by any of these you’re putting our safety at risk legitimate criminal
safety at risk legitimate criminal
safety at risk legitimate criminal justice issue but if all you’re doing is
justice issue but if all you’re doing is
justice issue but if all you’re doing is harming yourself the criminal justice
harming yourself the criminal justice
harming yourself the criminal justice system is not designed to protect us
system is not designed to protect us
system is not designed to protect us from ourselves and that makes perfect
from ourselves and that makes perfect
from ourselves and that makes perfect sense philosophically because as far as
sense philosophically because as far as
sense philosophically because as far as I’m concerned the government has as much
I’m concerned the government has as much
I’m concerned the government has as much right to control me as an adult as to
right to control me as an adult as to
right to control me as an adult as to what I put into my body as the does
what I put into my body as the does
what I put into my body as the does whatever I put into my mind it’s none of
whatever I put into my mind it’s none of
whatever I put into my mind it’s none of their business
their business
their business so these are things you look at it any
so these are things you look at it any
so these are things you look at it any of us were over 21 could go home tonight
of us were over 21 could go home tonight
of us were over 21 could go home tonight and drink 10 martinis if we wanted to
and drink 10 martinis if we wanted to
and drink 10 martinis if we wanted to certainly not a smart thing to do
certainly not a smart thing to do
certainly not a smart thing to do certainly not a medically healthy thing
certainly not a medically healthy thing
certainly not a medically healthy thing to do but it’s not a violation of law
to do but it’s not a violation of law
to do but it’s not a violation of law and you look further into this entire
and you look further into this entire
and you look further into this entire area the most successful program that we
area the most successful program that we
area the most successful program that we have had with regard to any form of
have had with regard to any form of
have had with regard to any form of mind-altering sometimes addicting
mind-altering sometimes addicting
mind-altering sometimes addicting substances it’s what we’ve done in the
substances it’s what we’ve done in the
substances it’s what we’ve done in the last 10 or 20 years with regard to
last 10 or 20 years with regard to
last 10 or 20 years with regard to cigarettes you know we can look at that
cigarettes you know we can look at that
cigarettes you know we can look at that and see that we have reduced consumption
and see that we have reduced consumption
and see that we have reduced consumption of cigarettes not by making it illegal
of cigarettes not by making it illegal
of cigarettes not by making it illegal and it just bring Al Capone and Mexican
and it just bring Al Capone and Mexican
and it just bring Al Capone and Mexican drug cartels into the cigarette
drug cartels into the cigarette
drug cartels into the cigarette distribution business but by putting out
distribution business but by putting out
distribution business but by putting out honest information in the marketplace
honest information in the marketplace
honest information in the marketplace for people honest medical information
for people honest medical information
for people honest medical information social mores regulations
social mores regulations
social mores regulations you can’t smoke cigarettes in this
you can’t smoke cigarettes in this
you can’t smoke cigarettes in this building hooray for that and that’s why
building hooray for that and that’s why
building hooray for that and that’s why we need to go and I look back into my
we need to go and I look back into my
we need to go and I look back into my experience and and I can tell you a
experience and and I can tell you a
experience and and I can tell you a couple of things there’s one time in
couple of things there’s one time in
couple of things there’s one time in which I was sentencing to young men at
which I was sentencing to young men at
which I was sentencing to young men at various times for being under the
various times for being under the
various times for being under the influence of methamphetamines and in
influence of methamphetamines and in
influence of methamphetamines and in California and pretty much all
California and pretty much all
California and pretty much all jurisdictions before you’re going to
jurisdictions before you’re going to
jurisdictions before you’re going to plead guilty you have to put give us a
plead guilty you have to put give us a
plead guilty you have to put give us a factual basis which means basically you
factual basis which means basically you
factual basis which means basically you put into your own words why you’re
put into your own words why you’re
put into your own words why you’re guilty of the offense and I heard from
guilty of the offense and I heard from
guilty of the offense and I heard from them your honor pretty much the same
them your honor pretty much the same
them your honor pretty much the same story my drug of choice was marijuana
story my drug of choice was marijuana
story my drug of choice was marijuana and for years I would buy my marijuana
and for years I would buy my marijuana
and for years I would buy my marijuana from the same supplier but one fine day
from the same supplier but one fine day
from the same supplier but one fine day unbeknownst to me he sold me some
unbeknownst to me he sold me some
unbeknownst to me he sold me some marijuana laced with methamphetamines I
marijuana laced with methamphetamines I
marijuana laced with methamphetamines I ended up getting myself addicted and I
ended up getting myself addicted and I
ended up getting myself addicted and I seemed thinking to myself wait a minute
seemed thinking to myself wait a minute
seemed thinking to myself wait a minute you know we all know smoking cigarettes
you know we all know smoking cigarettes
you know we all know smoking cigarettes is harmful to your health but at least
is harmful to your health but at least
is harmful to your health but at least if you go to your local mini-mart and
if you go to your local mini-mart and
if you go to your local mini-mart and buy a pack of Marlboros you’re going to
buy a pack of Marlboros you’re going to
buy a pack of Marlboros you’re going to know it’s not laced with
know it’s not laced with
know it’s not laced with methamphetamines those are drug
methamphetamines those are drug
methamphetamines those are drug prohibition problems so let’s all get
prohibition problems so let’s all get
prohibition problems so let’s all get together
together
together I make you a guaranteed as soon as we
I make you a guaranteed as soon as we
I make you a guaranteed as soon as we come to our senses and repeal drug
come to our senses and repeal drug
come to our senses and repeal drug prohibition all of us within a year
prohibition all of us within a year
prohibition all of us within a year maybe two will join hands look back the
maybe two will join hands look back the
maybe two will join hands look back the aghast and we could have perpetuated
aghast and we could have perpetuated
aghast and we could have perpetuated such a failed system for so long that is
such a failed system for so long that is
such a failed system for so long that is a guarantee it’s for the sake of our
a guarantee it’s for the sake of our
a guarantee it’s for the sake of our children it’s for the sake of our
children it’s for the sake of our
children it’s for the sake of our country it’s really for the sake of the
country it’s really for the sake of the
country it’s really for the sake of the world
world
world so that is my view from my judges
so that is my view from my judges
so that is my view from my judges perspective use your own insights and
perspective use your own insights and
perspective use your own insights and I’m sure you will come to the same
I’m sure you will come to the same
I’m sure you will come to the same conclusion thank you
conclusion thank you
conclusion thank you [Applause]
”
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