In Arms Reach and Critically Acclaimed Rapper SAIGON Release New Song “No More” for National Campaign Protesting “War on Drugs” at 40th Anniversary

New York, NY –June 17, 2011– In Arms Reach announced today that it is joining forces with the Drug Policy Alliance as June 17 marks forty years since President Richard Nixon officially declared a "war on drugs." A trillion dollars and millions of ruined lives later, the war on drugs has proven to be an abject failure.  Drug policy reform advocates all across the country will mark this auspicious date with a day of action to raise awareness about the failure of drug prohibition and to call for an exit strategy from the failed war on drugs.

In Arms Reach, a non-profit organization that works with at-risk children and young adults who have incarcerated parent(s), has enlisted the rapper SAIGON to release a song in support of DPA's “No More Drug War” campaign highlighting the 40-year anniversary of the war on drugs.

Brian Daniel Carenard, better known by his stage name Saigon, is an American rapper and occasional actor. Saigon is currently signed to Just Blaze's Fort Knocks Entertainment record label. After years of delay due to former record label interference, his album The Greatest Story Never Told is available now on Suburban Noize Records. He is also known for his street album Warning Shots and Moral of the Story, along with appearances in the HBO television series Entourage.

DJ Kay Slay interviewed Saigon and played the song Wednesday on his show on Sirius XM radio.

In Arms Reach provides one-on-one mentoring, also after-school tutoring, college preparation courses, creative advocacy development through art and music, and free prison visitation services.

“We are extremely excited to have this opportunity,” said Terrence Stevens, executive director of In Arms Reach. “Over the past seven years, we have worked hard to effect change in the lives of our Harlem children and to provide support to their incarcerated parents and families, many of whom are victims of the failed war on drugs. We are challenging community leaders across the country to step forward and implement alternatives to the war on drugs.”

“Some anniversaries provide an occasion for celebration, others a time for reflection, still others a time for action,” said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, the national organization that is coordinating actions around the country to coincide with the anniversary. “Forty years after President Nixon declared his war on drugs, we're seizing upon this anniversary to prompt both reflection and action. And we're asking everyone who harbors reservations about the war on drugs to join us in this enterprise.

For more information or to make a donation to In Arms Reach, visit www.inarmsreach.net or call 212.650.5894.