Vanguard Big Featured Discussion 30 items | updated Dec 5 2011

On "Vanguard" this week, correspondent Christof Putzel examines the contradictory -- and controversial -- difference in the enforcement of marijuana laws from California to New York to Colorado.

What did you think of "The War on Weed"? Do you think local or state ordinances allowing medical marijuana should trump federal laws outlawing the drug no matter its use? Do you agree with legal advocates in New York City who point to racism as the underlying reason that 90 percent of those arrested there on marijuana charges are black and Latino? Is there a compelling reason for the state to regulate small amounts of marijuana for personal use?

On "Vanguard," this week, correspondent Adam Yamaguchi travels to India, Mexico and Barbados to investigate one industry flourishing in these tough economic times: medical tourism.

Americans are increasingly being forced to seek medical care overseas, often life or death procedures, because they can't afford it here at home. Is healthcare America's next industry to be outsourced?

Would you travel to a country where you'd never been in order to save money on an expensive medical procedure? What would be the pros and cons for you in seeking health care abroad? 

On "Vanguard" this week, correspondent Adam Yamaguchi examines a growing tide of overt and outspoken activists in the UK and U.S. who are battling what they see as a rise of Islamic extremism.

What did you think of "Islamophobia"? Are movements like those to ban building of mosques inherently racist? Is it possible to oppose traditional or fundamentalist traditions or religious laws without attacking the religion -- or its believers?

"Vanguard" kicked off another season of its award-winning investigative documentaries with a close look at the most dangerous city in the world -- Juarez, Mexico. Correspondent Christof Putzel explores in particular the connection between American gun politics and the easy flow of weapons to arm the deadly gangs that traffic drugs across the border.

What did you think of "Arming the Mexican Cartels"? Do you think increased gun control in the U.S. could prevent violence in Mexico? Do you believe that increased opportunities for education or jobs would decrease the hold cartels have over the poor young men who often become hit men?

On the most recent episode of "Vanguard," correspondent Mariana van Zeller meets two of the 12 million immigrants living in the United States illegally.

What did you think of "This (Illegal) American Life"? Do you think that young people whose parents brought them to the U.S. illegally should be able to become citizens? What about adults who cross the border in order to find temporary work and send money home to their families?

If you have any questions for Mariana or producers Jeff Plunkett or Darren Foster, leave them in comments and we'll do our best to get them answered.

If you're watching "Vanguard" and tweeting, please use #WatchingVanguard -- we'll be gathering the best reactions for a post-premiere blog.

On the most recent episode of "Vanguard," correspondent Adam Yamaguchi investigates the second-most lucrative black market in the world -- animal parts, after only drugs.

Traditional Chinese medicine in particular places a high premium on tiger parts, especially bone, which are thought to have healing properties or increase virility.

What did you think of "Tiger Farms"? Do you think that outlawing the sale of some animals only increases their value and makes their products harder to regulate?

If you have any questions for Adam or producers John Henion and Joanne Shen, leave them in comments and we'll do our best to get them answered.

If you're watching "Vanguard" and tweeting, please use #WatchingVanguard -- we'll be gathering the best reactions for a post-premiere blog.

On the most recent episode of "Vanguard," correspondent Mariana van Zeller investigate's Brazil's controversial new plan to "pacify" Rio de Janeiro's 600 favelas (slums), taking back control from drug traffickers and cleaning up the city before it hosts the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.

What did you think of "City of God, Guns & Gangs"? Do you believe that the Brazilian government should take back its favelas by any means necessary -- even if casualties are high? Is it even possible to clear a city as ridden with violence as Rio of all drug trafficking?

If you have any questions for Mariana or producers Alex Simmons and Darren Foster, leave them in comments and we'll do our best to get them answered.

If you're watching "Vanguard" and tweeting, please use #WatchingVanguard -- we'll be gathering the best reactions for a post-premiere blog.

On the most recent episode of Vanguard, correspondent Adam Yamaguchi goes to Japan, Baja California and Cape Cod to track the powerful -- and popular -- Bluefin tuna.

What did you think of "Sushi to the Slaughter"? Should sushi lovers avoid Bluefin and other endangered species? Are the U.S. and Japan doing enough to protect the ocean and fish?  

If you have any questions for Adam or producers Lauren Cerre and Yasu Tsuji, please let us know in comments and we'll work to get them answered. 

And if you're Vanguarding while Tweeting, use #WatchingVanguard to let us know what you think!

Big tobacco has marketing to consumers using glamorous images and slogans, and now federal governments are beginning to turn those strategies against them. No later than 2012, all cigarette packaging in the United States will feature graphic warning images depicting the hazards of smoking instead of the standard surgeon general warning. As of January 2012, Australia is set to become the first country to implement plain packaging for cigarettes, removing unique signifiers for brands. Phillip Morris has challenged the legality of Australia's initiative, and the victor for this case could set a huge precedent for whether or not other countries, including Indonesia, are able to make similar changes in the future.

But is this enough? In tonight's all-new episode of Vanguard, correspondent Chrisof Putzel travels to Indonesia to investigate why big tobacco has focused its attention on countries like Indonesia.

With such a strong foothold in poorer countries, could more graphic warning labels and less stylised brand marketing be enough to deter consumers? What else could the government and health organizations do to warn against smoking?

Tell us what you think, and then watch the premiere of "Sex, Lies & Cigarettes" tonight at 9/8c to learn more about the tobacco industry's rise in the east.

For more information, visit http://current.com/vanguard.

In "The OxyContin Express" and its "Vanguard" follow-up epsiode, "Gateway to Heroin," correspondent Mariana van Zeller explores the extremely painful and personal journey of addiction.

The families of oxycodone and heroin users in these episodes tell heart-breaking stories about trying again and again to help their children and siblings get clean and stay clean.

What responsibility do you have to help an addict in your family? Have you had to make a "tough love" choice to step away, or have you benefited from getting a second chance yourself?

At the beginning of June, CNN reported that pharmaceutical robberies were on the rise and largely perpetuated by people either addicted to oxycodone or looking to sell pain medications. On the street, oxycodone can be sold for more than triple its retail price. This makes anyone who stocks pain medications a cash cow for dealers and addicts alike. The easiest sources for obtaining pills: local pharmacies.

Some pharmacies and local stores have stopped stocking OxyContin and similar drugs, but this method holds two huge problems: a) limiting the number of pharmacies that carry pain medicines also deprives residents who truly need it, and b) it may already be too late to deter individuals who assume a pharmacy has pills.

"These aren't the kind of people who necessarily read signs," storeowner Bill McNary told CNN.

What could be the longterm benefits of this plan? How might patients with legitimate prescriptions access pain medications they need? Should more local pharmacies stop carrying OxyContin?

UPDATE: Shooting at a Long Island, N.Y., pharmacy leaves four dead.

Don't forget to tune in to Vanguard's season premiere. Mariana van Zeller investigate how growing pill addiction affects youth in Massachusetts. "Gateway to Heroin" premieres Monday, June 20 at 9/8c.

For more information, visit http://current.com/vanguard.

New “abuse-proof” prescription drugs, which may be able to deliver pain relief without risk of addiction, are being tested.

With more officers getting charged with drug trafficking and the news that the latest demographic with a rise in OxyContin and oxycodone addiction is newborn babies, a prescription painkiller that allegedly prevents abuse and addiction could be heavily in demand.

Pharmaceutical companies hope that these “smart pills” can be major competitors (and the eventual downfall) for OxyContin -- but it took ten years for medical representatives at Purdue Pharma LP to get their drug FDA-approved. In the meantime, companies like Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc. have already challenged the patent on OxyContin in hopes of quickly funneling generic brands into a market that made $3 billion in 2010.

In “The OxyContin Express,” Vanguard correspondent Mariana van Zeller investigated Florida’s growing market for buying and trafficking pain medication for recreational use.

Since then, the problem has continued to escalate, spreading far beyond Florida’s borders.

In Vanguard's "Gateway to Heroin," premiering June 20, van Zeller follows the pain pill "express" up the east coast to Massachusetts, where many Oxy addicts quickly turn to the far cheaper heroin. 

The fear is that generics will flood the market before abuse-proof pain medications get a chance to make an impact.

Do you think “smart pill” pain medication is coming too late? What would you like drug makers to do more immediately to address the issues around habit-forming pain medication? 

In 2010, Vanguard correspondent Mariana van Zeller traveled to Africa in anticipation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and investigated the influence soccer has had on millions of its inhabitants in “Soccer’s Lost Boys,” including the increasing number of unlicensed agents and black market trading flourishing alongside legitimate soccer opportunities. One of the most prominent positive stories to thrive even after the games ends was FIFA’s official “20 Centers for 2010” Football For Hope campaign. The goal was to partner with 20 centers dedicated to developing sustainable programs that educate and uplift youths in various African countries.

Kenya’s center in Nairobi drew headlines in April when the Chinese company Yingli Green Energy Holding Company supplied flood lights powered by solar panels for the soccer field in Nairobi’s Mathare slums. Adding lights allows young kids and teens to spend a few more hours in a safe environment rather than braving Mathare’s dangerous streets.

Since the Mathare stadium is also “the only Kenyan sports facility outside of Nairobi with flood lights,” according to AFP, other organizations have asked to use the field. Renting the space will hopefully continue to bring in revenue for the facility’s educational programs and drills, but with soccer shutdowns happening in countries like Egypt due to violent conflicts, the question now becomes what to do if using soccer is no longer the easiest way to engage young African citizens.

What do you think? Have you heard of other major African organizations that provide aid and education to young children and teens? Can you name other initiatives geared towards sustainable education and safe youth outlets? How can organizations reach out to communities in need as the spotlight on soccer in Africa fades?

Both Montana and Washington have introduced new legislation that could increase regulations on medical marijuana. Sixty additional Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensaries have been ordered to shut down, and major seizures have been reported in Illinois, Arizona, and Texas in April.

Vanguard correspondent Adam Yamaguchi investigated the influence of marijuana trafficking and sales to and within the United States in 2010’s “Marijuana Wars.” 

But it’s not old-fashioned weed that’s got police officials and hospitals on alert. Instead, it’s the increasing presence of a new, synthetic version of marijuana with effects closer to cocaine or heroin that’s been linked to more than 1,400 emergency calls within the first three months of 2011 alone.

From The Associated Press:

"These products are in an unregulated, unlicensed industry," Boggs said. "No one knows the strength of the ingredients. You don't know what you're taking."

In addition to the DEA's recently adopted ban, a federal law allows for prosecution of "analogue" drugs that mimic the effects of illegal substances.

But authorities acknowledge the challenge of stopping the drugs' spread. DEA experts are evaluating as many as 50 new synthetics.

"The possibilities are endless," Boggs said. "There's probably hundreds of formulations out there."

Is a crackdown on medical marijuana opening up a market for more dangerous synthetic pot?

Although the number of U.S. Border Patrol agents has risen almost 60 percent in the last five years, a larger threat affects thousands of people before they even travel that far. Halfway through April, Mexican authorities had already uncovered graves of more than 100 migrants in 2011, most thought to be victims of Mexican drug-trafficking organizations that kidnap travellers and force them to traffic illegal drugs and other goods across the U.S border. Those who refuse are killed.

A study done by the National Human Rights Commission in 2010 revealed that “in 9 percent of the cases, corrupt police or immigration officials were involved,” according to Reuters.

In 2010's "Life and Death on the Border," Vanguard correspondent Christof Putzel journeyed across the U.S.-Mexico border to learn how dangerous passage is for migrants first-hand. Adding an increasing number of violent kidnappings and forced labor presents an entirely new challenge for those desperate to reach the United States.

What else have you read or seen in the media about migrants being used as traffickers against their will? Is it reasonable or realistic to expect the U.S. Border Patrol to protect these migrants, or should their duties be limited to detaining those who cross illegally?