January/February 2009

This issue…

• Did you Know…?
• Join LEAP's Rapid Response Team
• LEAP Speakers: Education, Advocacy, Action
• State by State
• Make the LEAP

Did You Know…?

Did you know that LEAP's official YouTube channel was the #1 most-subscribed non-profit featured on YouTube for the month of January?  Halfway through the month, we're ranked #3 for February… so if haven't already visited LEAP on YouTube, please check out the videos we've posted and make sure to click "subscribe" so you can be notified whenever we upload a new video.   

Elsewhere on the web, LEAP speaker Norm Stamper has become a featured blogger for The Huffington Post.  On February 6, Norm's article 'One Cop To Another: Don't Arrest Phelps for Bong Photo' was the #1 most-viewed article on the entire HuffPost site.  In addition to the attention his blog has received, many media outlets are anxious to speak with Norm and hear his insight into President Obama's likely choice for drug czar, Gil Kerlikowske, who was Norm's immediate successor as Seattle's chief of police.  And make sure to stay up late tonight (or set your DVR) to catch Norm on the Fox News Channel's "Red Eye."  The show airs at 3 AM EST, Friday morning, Feb. 20.

By making a contribution, you can help LEAP gain visibility and make this a #1 issue in your community.

Join LEAP's Rapid Response Team

One thing that LEAP prides itself on is our ability to inspire and engage citizen volunteers; our cops can't do everything themselves!  That's why LEAP is launching an all-new Rapid Response Team of people who will make themselves available to receive e-mail alerts every few days asking for a few minutes of time to help advance reform.  For example, we may ask you to help build our movement for change by submitting comments on high-profile newspaper websites and blog posts, calling in to popular radio shows that are discussing the drug war, or voting in online polls asking about reform. 

If you would like to join the Rapid Response Team, please click here.  The list will be totally separate from our normal newsletter and action alert list, and you can remove yourself at any time if you feel you're getting too many e-mails.

LEAP Speakers: Education, Advocacy, Action

Contributed by Barbara Humphrey, Speakers Bureau Assistant

From rotaries to college campuses, Lions clubs to the halls of Congress, LEAP speakers are spreading the drug policy reform message, and it is making a difference.    An important role of the Speakers Bureau staff is to capture feedback from LEAP speaking engagements, allowing us to measure the impact of our efforts.  In addition to finding out how many people attended presentations, we also strive to go beyond the numbers to determine the impact of the presentation on those present and to solicit ideas for how to improve the effectiveness of these presentations.  The following are examples of the kind of feedback provided to LEAP following speaker presentations. 

In January, veteran speaker Dean Becker addressed a Texas Lion's Club audience of 130+, including three sitting judges, municipal law enforcement officers, and a State elected representative.    What an incredible opportunity to affect change!  

One of LEAP's newer speakers, Neill Franklin, spoke to supporters of the Tuerk House, a Timonium, Maryland drug/alcohol center, in early February.  The host was appreciative that Neill was able to generate a lively discussion following his presentation, a good indication of how well the talk was received.   The next day, Neill spoke to 20 faculty members and students at the University of Maryland College of Law.  The students were so impressed with the presentation that they have suggested a school-wide forum on the subject, while the faculty host described Neill as "awesome." 

In California, Judge James Gray spoke to more than 30 students at UCLA in February.  The school's host described the presentation as inspiring, and she was aware of a number of students whose minds had changed that night as a result of Judge Gray's talk. 

LEAP's Executive Director, Jack Cole, is also one of LEAP's most effective speakers.   Jack made a presentation to a group of 30 Rotarians in Massachusetts recently.  The club's host commented that "Jack made a real hit!  His presentation was great and I'm sure a lot were converted."  

The feedback from LEAP speaking engagements point to the important impact these speakers are making in the communities where they live and visit.  They inspire us all to keep booking, keep talking, and keep following up.

State By State

El Paso, Texas was at the forefront of the drug war debate in January. When El Paso's city council unanimously voted to call for an open debate on ending drug prohibition, the mayor vetoed the resolution.  The city council responded by calling for an override of the veto, and LEAP speaker Terry Nelson attended the meeting to give testimony before the council.  Unfortunately, the mayor's veto was upheld; four of the eight council members who originally supported the resolution reversed their votes under significant federal pressure that threatened state and federal funding.  If you haven't already done so, please visit www.DrugWarDebate.com to ask YOUR state and federal representatives to support a blue ribbon commission reviewing the efficacy of drug prohibition. 

Make The LEAP

As drug prohibition-related issues like the Michael Phelps drug investigation, the imminent nomination of a new drug czar, and the El Paso City Council's efforts continue to make the news, LEAP's voice needs to be heard now more than ever.  LEAP is committed to keeping the debate on war on drugs at the forefront until the day drug prohibition ends.  Please support LEAP's efforts by making a tax-deductible contribution to ensure that our mission of education on the failures of drug prohibition can reach its fullest potential.