Drug policies in Harris County and the nation topic at Rice’s Baker Institute March 9

MEDIA ADVISORY

David Ruth
david@rice.edu
713-348-6327

Jeff Falk
jfalk@rice.edu
713-348-6775

Drug policies in Harris County and the nation topic at Rice’s Baker Institute March 9

HOUSTON – (March 8, 2016) – Law enforcement experts will gather at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy March 9 to discuss the impact of drug prohibition on society and public safety and examine existing and future drug policies in Harris County and the nation.

Hosted by the Baker Institute’s Drug Policy Program, the event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Who: Panelists: Devon Anderson, Harris County district attorney; Gary Hale, nonresident fellow in drug policy and Mexico studies at the Baker Institute and former chief of intelligence in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Houston Field Division; Howard Wooldridge, drug policy specialist with Citizens Opposing Prohibition and former police detective in the Bath Township Police Department; and Gene Wu, Texas state representative, D-Houston.

Katharine Neill, the Alfred C. Glassell III Postdoctoral Fellow in Drug Policy at the Baker Institute, will give welcoming remarks. Dean Becker, contributing expert with the Drug Policy Program and producer and host of “Drug Truth Network” on KPFT, will serve as moderator.

What: A panel discussion titled “Law Enforcement Perspectives on Drug Prohibition.”

When: Wednesday, March 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Rice University, Baker Hall, Doré Commons, 6100 Main St.

The public must register to attend this event at http://bakerinstitute.org/events/1767.

Members of the news media who want to attend should RSVP to Jeff Falk, associate director of national media relations at Rice, at jfalk@rice.edu or 713-348-6775.

For a map of Rice University’s campus with parking information, go to www.rice.edu/maps. Media are advised to park in the Central Campus Garage.

-30-

Follow the Baker Institute via Twitter @BakerInstitute.

Follow the Drug Policy Program via Twitter @BakerDrugPolicy.

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews.

Founded in 1993, Rice University’s Baker Institute ranks among the top five university-affiliated think tanks in the world. As a premier nonpartisan think tank, the institute conducts research on domestic and foreign policy issues with the goal of bridging the gap between the theory and practice of public policy. The institute’s strong track record of achievement reflects the work of its endowed fellows, Rice University faculty scholars and staff, coupled with its outreach to the Rice student body through fellow-taught classes — including a public policy course — and student leadership and internship programs. Learn more about the institute at www.bakerinstitute.org or on the institute’s blog, http://blogs.chron.com/bakerblog.