LEAP's Dispatches from the Front Line...May 2009

May 2009 Dear Friends, We would like to offer a special welcome to all the people who have joined Law Enforcement Against Prohibition in the last thirty days. Nearly 600 supporters took action and are now proudly sporting a LEAP badge lapel pin; we salute you for standing up and being counted in the discussion. Hundreds of new friends are joining us each week as more people realize the value of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with criminal justice professionals calling for an end to the war on drugs. LEAP is turning seven this year and many of you have supported us from the beginning. To you, we say a heartfelt "thanks." We could not have done it without you and, with your continued support, the best is yet to come. Here are just a few of the issues our speakers addressed in April. We hope you'll share "Dispatches from the Front Line…" with a friend. LEAP Staff ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Open Letter to the New "Drug Czar" From Another Top Cop: End the Drug War Dear Gil: Congratulations on your confirmation as director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Bit of an irony, isn't it? Two Seattle police chiefs on opposite sides of the drug war? As "drug czar" (please retire that ill-begotten label), you are responsible for advising the president and vice president on drug control programs, and for coordinating drug policies among all federal agencies. I, on the other hand, as a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, am devoted to ending the drug war, along with the prohibition model on which it's based. But how far apart are we, really? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retired Federal Agent Says Punish Cartels with Legalization LEAP Director Terry Nelson has been on the border of Texas and Mexico before. As a U.S. Border Patrol Agent, he has firsthand experience with what it takes to break the backs of violent drug organizations. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Officer Supports Medical Marijuana Use "As one of two active law enforcement officers to testify in favor of medical marijuana at the recent New Hampshire Senate hearing on HB 648, it became clear to me that many do not fully understand the implications of opposing this bill. "Simply put, supporting the continued ban of medical marijuana use means subjecting seriously ill or handicapped individuals to arrest and prosecution. HB 648 would allow a narrow class of sick and handicapped individuals to use marijuana with their doctor's permission." Editor's note: Shortly after Bradley's op-ed was published, this bill passed the House, making New Hampshire very close to becoming the 14th state to stop arresting patients for medical marijuana use with a doctor's permission. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reason.tv Features Segment On LEAP Reason.tv's Nick Gillespie caught up with retired Chief of Police Jerry Cameron. Cameron is a graduate of the 150th Session of the FBI National Academy, the DEA Basic Drug Enforcement Course, two DEA Advanced Drug Enforcement Professional Institutes and is a passionate advocate for LEAP. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ready to do more? Want to help LEAP while having fun? Join the LEAP Rapid Response Team to help shape the conversation around the world. It is easy, quick and can be done from home. Learn More Open Letter to the President Regarding Mexico Dear Mr. President - The White House telephone line (202) 456-1111 is busy and you are en route to Mexico anyway, so I write this letter. You're doing a great job - closing Guantanamo, no more torture, an economic stimulus bill, rebuilding American stature and leadership around the world, the loosing of travel and financial restrictions affecting Cubans and their families, a deadline to exit Iraq, stem cells for the living, etc. - but, oh my, the drug war. Please save us from the drug war. Overwhelmingly, Americans recognize the drug war for the abysmal failure that it is and will forever be. But please - don't expand it, don't support it, don't defend it. End it. The drug war has two principal shortcomings. First, it doesn't work. Second, it worsens nearly all other serious American (and world) problems. Read Jim Gierach's blog for more. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Howard on the Hill WashingtonPost.com's Sleuth followed our DC Education Specialist, Howard Wooldridge, around the halls of Congress for this April 24 video. Since Howard went to Washington in 2005, he has been asking for a blue ribbon commission to look at the impact of the war on drugs. Editor's note: As Howard and LEAP have been asking for, U.S. Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) recently introduced a bill, S. 714, to create a blue ribbon commission examine America's failed criminal justice and drug policies. The bill has bi-partisan support and is expected to have a House companion later this year. Please contact your legislators about supporting Senator Webb's bill. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ All of this work happens because of generous donations from our supporters. Your gift to LEAP is tax-deductible. Donate now to show your commitment to ending the war on drugs: LEAP 121 Mystic Ave. Suites 8&9 Medford, MA 01255 (781) 393-6985, [email protected] Law Enforcement Against Prohibition is an ever-expanding group of criminal justice professionals and civilian supporters calling for an end to the war on drugs. Trained criminal justice professionals are available to speak to your club or association about their experiences in the drug war and the need to create drug policies that stand the test of reason. Invite a speaker to your town today.