3/8/2010 Dr. Joseph S. Tulchin, PhD, Public Security and Organized Crime in Latin America

Posted by Steve Kelleher 
 
In joint meeting of the Waterville Rotary Club and the Mid-Maine Global Forum, Dr. Joseph S. Tulchin, PhD, Senior Scholar, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Public Security and Organized Crime in Latin America discussed the issue of organized crime in Latin America, the drug trade, an its effects here in America.
 
A joint meeting of the Mid-Maine Global Forum and the Waterville Rotary Club was held on Monday, March 8, 2010 at the Alfond Youth Center - Here is a recap in case you missed our meeting!

Today's meeting was chaired by President-Elect Seth Sherwood.

Sergeant at Arms

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Janet Parkhurst served as our Sergeant of Arms today. Thanks, Janet!!!!!

Greeter

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Frank Prelgovisk was our Greeter today. Thank you John!!

50/50 Tickets

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Don Plourde sold $108 for the 50/50 raffle today and Suzanne Uhl Melanson was the winner of $54. Suzanne will sell tickets on March 15th. Jim Schmidt's guest won 10 free tickets for next meeting's 50/50 drawing.

World Service Cup

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The beneficiary of the donations for this month's World Service Cup will be the WISE Zambia Project.

Fined for pictures in the Paper

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No Rotarians had their pictures in the paper this week.

Cell Phones

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A $10.00 fee for cell phone ringing continues for the 2008-2009 Club year. No fines assessed today.

On Leave

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Cam McKay

Joan Phillips-Sandy

Paul LePage

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

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Due to the large number of guests at today's meeting, the limited time we have, and in deference to the today's speaker and his important topic, Seth Sherwood offered a welcome to all guests of Rotarians and members of the Mid-Maine Global Forum, .

What can you do?

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* Tell Board Members what you are passionate about for community projects

* Tell the program committee about interesting speakers/topics you would like to listen to

* Be involved, join a committee

* Be active

* Be positive

Happy Dollars

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Happy Dollars were deferred until next week's meeting.

Announcements:

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Announcements were deferred until next week's meeting..

Upcoming speaker schedule:

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March 15, 2010 Evert Fowle, Kennebec County District Attorney

March22, 2010 Club Assembly - Strategic Planning

March 29, 2010 Don Chandler, Oak Pond Brewery

Waterville Rotary Club Web Site

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http://www.clubrunner.ca/waterville

Today's Program: Public Security and Organized Crime in Latin America (Joseph S. Tulchin, PhD, Senior Scolar, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars)

Tom Longstaff introduced Dr. Patrice Franko, PhD, Professor of Economics at Colby, who introduced Dr. Joseph Tulchin, PhD,Senior Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC. An expert in Latin American affairs, Dr. Tulchin served 13 years as the Director of Latin American Affairs for the Woodrow Wilson Policy Center. In his presentation, he described the issues related to security and organized crime and offered his thoughts regarding solutions to address this problem.

The text of Dr. Tulchin's comments can be found posted to the Watervill Rotary Club website, http://www.clubrunner.ca/waterville.

Questions:

1. How do you address the demand issue?

1) Legalization of drugs which will then focus on demand. ; 2) Treat the drug issue from a public health perspective as have Holland, France, Sweden, and Canada.

2. If drugs are legalized what happens to the cartels?

If we can affect demand, then the supply will wither on the vine and atrophy. Violence would hopefully decrease. Clearly, what we are doing now is not working.

3. How do you explain the murders of women and children in Juarez, Mexico?

These are not nice people. One recent mass murder was a reprisal against a threat. All gang are alumni of the US peal system.

4. Is Attorney General Hoder's position on the issue going to help? Possibly.

The perception is that the current Drug Czar is being held back on his recommendation.

5. How much US aid to Latin America to combat the drug issue is lost?

None.

6. What's being done to educate Congress?

In the past, the Department of State had certified every country that was addressing the drug problem. This was a significant irritant to many Latin American countries, Mexico in particular. As a result Mexico wouldn't communicate with the US on this issue until certification went away, which has happened. As a result, our 2 countries are now talking. With respect to AG Holder, he advocates starting with the local police who would ideally deal with kids picked up in ways that are different than they are today. Reference was made to Holland, where overdoses are taken to the hospital rather than jail.

After his presentation, Seth presented Dr. Tulchin with a certificate noting that 6 children will receive polio vaccinations in his name as a token of appreciation and with the thanks and best wishes of the Waterville Rotary Club.