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internationally known drug policy and prison reform advocate loretta nall has announced that she will be running for governor of alabama in the 2006 election.
mrs. nall has devoted the last three years of her life to learning about u.s. drug policy both at home and abroad after local police targeted her for writing a letter to the editor.
in that letter nall encouraged alabama voters to change the drug laws. it was published two days after the last gubernatorial election between then gov. don siegelman and current gov. bob riley. nall was arrested and jailed six days later. the affidavit in support of the arrest warrant was based on her letter.
“here in alabama, the drug war has given rise to the current alabama prison crisis, which is costing alabamians millions of dollars a year with only negative returns in exchange. it is destroying families and putting our children at greater risk by allowing unrestricted access to drugs," said nall.
nall stated that she is running for governor because drug policy is a crucial alabama issue and the other candidates are too afraid to engage in a rational, scientific discussion. she says she wants to make it clear that her campaign is not about using drugs, as her detractors are almost certain to claim, but about critically examining current policies to determine whether or not they are reaching their stated objectives.
“the other candidates are not up to addressing these important but controversial issues surrounding drug policy because they have built their political careers on meaningless slogans like ‘tough on drugs’ and ‘what about the children?’ which, in fact, do nothing to deter drug use or protect children," said nall.
nall also states that the current elected officials are afraid of losing corporate campaign contributions from alcohol, tobacco and pharmaceutical companies, who ironically, are the largest funders of the failed drug war.
loretta will embark on a walk across alabama during her campaign where she will meet voters, speak at local town hall style meetings and other venues and gather signatures for ballot access. details and a tentative schedule will be announced soon.
loretta is the mother of two children, 13-year-old alex and 8-year-old isabella. she and her husband terry nall have been married for 15 years.
coming soon, spiked humor gets an exclusive interview with mrs. nall
nbc
