You may or may not know that the Drug Enforcement Agency along with various other Federal, State, and local agency representatives showed up unannounced, with search warrants, at Sasha and Ann's home in Lafayette, Calif. on October 27, 1994. There were approximately thirty persons in the raiding party along with eight vehicles that included a fire engine and marked police cars. The stunned Shulgins were informed that this was not a criminal action, but rather an "administrative investigation" to determine if Sasha was in regulatory compliance with the many stipulations of his DEA license that allows him to be in possession of, and to work with, Schedule I substances. Administrative and environmental infractions were found; as can be easily imagined in a former basement, now laboratory, that is as well known for its pet spiders as for its cornucopia of important research, and its seemingly unending creation of new molecular structures. And it's also fair to say that housekeeping is not one of Sasha's big priorities.
The DEA has now made its findings and taken the following action:
The fine is attributed to a collection of unsolicited "anonymous drug samples" that people had sent to Sasha with the hope that he might test them sometime. There are those who think that such a testing program is beneficial. The DEA does not, and expressly forbids a licensee from doing so. The allowable fine is $25,000.00 per sample.
Sasha and Ann have paid the fine, and have paid out another $15,000.00 in legal and related expenses. This $40,000.00 has come out of their retirement funds at very near the time that they are needed.
Over Sasha's initial protest, a trust account has been set up, and a mail box rented. You may send your contributions to:
Alexander T. Shulgin Trust
Box 322
343 Soquel Ave.
Santa Cruz, Ca. 95062.
Please make your checks or money orders payable to:
Alexander T. Shulgin Trust
IMPORTANT: As noted in Update #8: Address should be Box 322, 343 Soquel Ave. etc. not *PO* Box 322. Box is at a Mail Boxes Etc. store not Post Office and the Post Office is getting a little testy; as in delaying delivery. So far no notice that they've actually "returned-to-sender".If you would like your contribution to be anonymous please say so and the trustee will honor your request. All other contributors will be acknowledged by returned mail (email), and placed on a list to be given to Sasha and Ann.
The trust will be maintained for one year (Feb. 11, 1997), and monthly or periodic contributions are more than welcome.
You are requested to pass on, post, circulate, and distribute this notice.
elc@netcom.com, trustee
Dear Friends of Alexander (Sasha) and Ann Shulgin:
As of today the Alexander T. Shulgin Trust has received $7,190.00, towards our goal of $40,000.00, to reimburse Sasha and Ann for the fine and expenses resulting from the DEA's "administrative" action. It has been heart warming to receive the contributions and well wishes from the far reaches of our planet. It also speaks highly of the useful power of the Internet. Please keep your intentions, and actions, aligned with our goal of fully restoring Sasha and Ann's retirement funds.
We ask you, again, to pass on, post, circulate, and distribute this notice. Also: Please forward to any magazines, newsletters, etc. that you think might be interested. I have attached a copy of the original message. [See Above]
elc@netcom.com, trustee
"It's a privilege to give something back
to this great pioneer and glorious couple!
Their courage and generosity of spirit
yield infinite dividends"
Michael Gilbert
(Quoted with permission.)
Dear Friends of Sasha and Ann:
As of this date, two months into our campaign, we have reached 28.5% of our $40,000.00 goal, and have banked $11,407.00. Contributions, large and small, are continuing to come in from around the world with expressions of appreciation to Sasha and Ann.
Thanks to all for your generosity, and once again please pass on, circulate, and distribute this notice.
elc@netcom.com, trustee
Dear Friends of Sasha (Alexander T.) and Ann Shulgin.
It is once again time to report on the progress of the Alexander T. Shulgin Fund. As of this date we have banked $13,300.00, or 33.5% of our stated goal of $40,000.00; a 5.0% increase for the third month of the funds existence.
While the monthly rate of contributions has dropped, the number of contributors has actually increased; and again they come from around our planet. Another increase for the third month comes in the form of personal expressions of thanks and support for the Shulgins. While the replenishment of the Shulgins "lost" retirement funds is the obvious purpose of this project, I would like all to know that the letters and notes that are coming in are probably doing more for Sasha and Ann's well being than anything else; and that's just a personal opinion. So if you don't have cash to spare at the moment, don't be shy. Send a note, and be part of this wonderful expression of loving support.
Please, once again, pass on, post, circulate, and distribute this notice.
elc@netcom.com, trustee
Quote of the Month #3
-------------------------
I was most distressed to learn of your plight via Hyperreal.com on the Internet. While many parts of the world are just now discovering the meaning of freedom, it is a sad commentary that many in our own country, which has been a model of free society for centuries, seem to be shunning the concept.
While our politicians try to "out-tough" each other on crime, and the religious right seeks to impose its own narrow interpretation of scriptural codes of conduct via legislation, it seems tragic to have to assure you that there are still those of us out there who believe adults should be treated like adults.
People like yourselves, who have become undeserving victims of the failed war on drugs, deserve some reassurance that the majority of folks in this country really are on your side.
Prohibition made no sense the last time it was tried, and it makes even less sense in the information age. The silly notion that what we read might someday be controlled by librarians doesn't seem very far-fetched, considering the blind fervence with which our government pursues the drug war. Surely, the person who defined fanaticism as "redoubling your efforts after you've lost sight of the objective," can point to the war on drugs as a classic case in point.
I hope you can find a way to continue the invaluable work you have done in the past. Perhaps by teaching selected individuals (who are not under close governmental scrutiny) what you know, you can somehow continue your legacy and help prove, once and for all, that drugs themselves are neither inherently beneficial nor harmful. How they are used by informed, mature individuals is what makes them so.
Please accept my thanks for your efforts, and my best wishes for your future."
-Rick
(Again, quoted with permission.)
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 17:11:10 -0700 (PDT)
Dear Freinds of Sasha and Ann:
Quote of the Month #4
-----------------------
Sasha and Ann
"I love your spirit
Cherish your vision
& Sing with you against
all odds"
Lee Sannella
(quoted with permission)
The checks and well wishes keep rolling in. As of this date we have
banked $15,415.00, or 38.5% of our stated goal of $40,000.00; which again
is a 5% increase for the forth month of the funds existence.
Please pass on, post, circultate, and distribute this notice.
elc@netcom.com, trustee
Date: Thu, 25 Jul 1996 15:34:34 -0700 (PDT)
Dear Friends of Sasha and Ann's:
Sasha is off at summer camp (where else would a teenager in Spirit be?) playing Brahms to the Redwoods. Ann is home busily penning personal thank you notes to the fund's many contributors, and quickly finishing Thikal before anything else "just too interesting to leave out" happens in their lives. (Editorial license applied for.)
I'm happy to report that the fund balance is now $17,550.00, 44% of our goal of $40,000.00, and that the increase over last months balance was a whopping 14%!
On the "Coming Attractions" side, a group in England will be hosting a benefit dance and party in August with most, if not all, of the gross proceeds being donated to the fund. To quote:
"All the DJ's and Live acts (who normally charge in excess of 1,000 UKP) have donated their services for the night and made it possible for us to have such a good line up...(Cosmosis, O.O.O.D & Dino Psaras)"Please pass on, post, circulate, and distribute this notice.
elc@netcom.com, trustee
Date: Tue, 20 Aug 1996 09:29:50 -0700 (PDT)
Dear Friends of Sasha and Ann's:
As of the sixth month of the Funds existence we have reached a balance of $24,825.00 or 62.1% of our goal of $40,000.00. This is a remarkable increase of $7,560.00 over last months total thanks to several "more than generous" individual contributions.
We have broken through the 50% barrier with good momentum, and now have about $15,000.00 left to complete the fund goal of $40,000.00 in the remaining six months.
Please pass on, post, circulate, and distribute this notice.
elc@netcom.com, trustee
Date: Tue, 24 Sep 1996 09:24:38 -0700 (PDT)
Dear Friends of Sasha and Ann:
As of the seventh month of the Funds existence we have reached a balance of $25,512.74 or 63.8% of our goal of $40,000.00. Meanwhile, Sasha and Ann continue to put the finishing touches on "TIHKAL".
Thank you all for your generous support.
Please pass on, post, circulate, and distribute this notice.
elc@netcom.com, trustee
Date: Sun, 17 Nov 1996 12:26:44 -0800 (PST)
Dear Friends of Sasha and Ann:
As of November 15, 1996 we have raised a total of $28,598 or 71% of our goal of $40,000. This is a $3,085 increase over report number *7*. Contributions and loving well-wishes continue to come in from around the Globe. A special thank you to the anonymous donor from the Pacific Northwest who has faithfully tendered a monthly contribution from the start of the Fund.
The Fund has also been receiving multiple amounts (10 or so) of contributions in pre-addressed envelopes which contain the following message on the back of the envelope:
"Sasha Shulgin's passion has enriched our lives.
Now is our chance to thank him.
Help him pay his recent legal fees:
make your check payable to:
Alexander T. Shulgin Trust."
Trustee wishes to thank the so-far-anonymous distributor of these
envelopes, report that they are effective, and extend an honorary grade of
A+ for creativity.
On the housekeeping side the only expense to the Fund to date resulted from ordering a "For Deposit Only..." stamp from the Trust's bank. When charge of $28.26 showed up for said stamp, trustee suggested to otherwise wonderfully cooperative bank officer that for that price it should have contained an electric motor.:-).
Details: Address should be Box 322, 343 Soquel Ave. etc. not *PO* Box 322. Box is at a Mail Boxes Etc. store not Post Office and the Post Office is getting a little testy; as in delaying delivery. So far no notice that they've actually "returned-to-sender".
Please pass on, post, circulate, and distribute this notice.
elc@netcom.com, trustee