An open letter to the new "Drug Czar"from Norm Stamper
Norm Stamper from LEAP has written an open letter to Gil Kerlikowske. It starts out:
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New Drug Czar Says "War on Drugs" Mentality is Over
In his first interview since taking office, newly appointed drug czar Gil Kerlikowske had some very interesting things to say:
Coulda fooled me. It's plainly ridiculous to suggest that we're not waging war as we arrest nearly a million Americans every year just for marijuana, as we kill innocent people and even harmless dogs in an endless parade of botched drug raids, and continue promising new crackdowns on American drug users.
Still, it's certainly encouraging to see that Kerlikowske is determined to separate himself from his predecessors. This is a bold and remarkable statement no matter how one interprets it. Any effort to pander to growing drug war opposition is encouraging, even if disingenuous. On that note, I think Ethan makes a good point:
Stay tuned.
WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration's new drug czar says he wants to banish the idea that the U.S. is fighting "a war on drugs," a move that would underscore a shift favoring treatment over incarceration in trying to reduce illicit drug use.
In his first interview since being confirmed to head the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske said Wednesday the bellicose analogy was a barrier to dealing with the nation's drug issues.
"Regardless of how you try to explain to people it's a 'war on drugs' or a 'war on a product,' people see a war as a war on them," he said. "We're not at war with people in this country." [WSJ]
Coulda fooled me. It's plainly ridiculous to suggest that we're not waging war as we arrest nearly a million Americans every year just for marijuana, as we kill innocent people and even harmless dogs in an endless parade of botched drug raids, and continue promising new crackdowns on American drug users.
Still, it's certainly encouraging to see that Kerlikowske is determined to separate himself from his predecessors. This is a bold and remarkable statement no matter how one interprets it. Any effort to pander to growing drug war opposition is encouraging, even if disingenuous. On that note, I think Ethan makes a good point:
Ethan Nadelmann of the Drug Policy Alliance, a group that supports legalization of medical marijuana, said he is "cautiously optimistic" about Mr. Kerlikowske. "The analogy we have is this is like turning around an ocean liner," he said. "What's important is the damn thing is beginning to turn."
Stay tuned.
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CNBC Attacks Schwarzenegger For Endorsing Marijuana Legalization Debate
Watch CNBC's Larry Kudlow go ballistic over Gov. Schwarzenegger's recent statement in favor of debating marijuana legalization:
Here's what Schwarzenegger actually said:
"Well, I think it's not time for that, but I think it's time for a debate. I think all of those ideas of creating extra revenues [are worth considering] ⦠I think we ought to study very carefully what other countries are doing that have legalised marijuana and other drugs. What effect did it have on those countries?"And here's what Kudlow heard:
"I mean he basically wants to get everybody stoned and then raise taxes"Did you even read the damn quote, Larry? It's just incredible to watch the childish hissy fits that erupt over something as sensible as suggesting we talk about marijuana laws. Anyone who doesn't want to discuss marijuana policy doesnât have to, but if you don't think it's important, please do the rest of us a favor and just be quiet.
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DEA Agent Indicted for Framing 17 Innocent People
Over and over, the very foundations of the war on drugs are revealed to be utterly fraudulent and corrupt. These laws are harmful enough when they're enforced honestly, but moments like this really illustrate what a colossal fraud this whole thing truly is:
As one might expect, all of this revolves around a lying informant who played everyone in a desperate attempt to save his own hide. Officer Lucas is accused of failing to provide proper supervision and repeatedly lying to cover up the mess.
Of course, Lucas's fellow officers have eagerly come to his defense, because there scarcely exists any form of police misconduct so shocking to the conscience as to disqualify from being treated as a martyr by their colleagues. This comment, posted on the Plain Dealer story, perfectly reveals the mentality that police aren't responsible for mistakes in the war on drugs
No, he's not, and that's exactly the problem. This shady informant's dubious allegations should never have formed the basis for criminal charges against anyone. It was Lucas and the DEA who trusted this guy and used him to serve their agenda, not anyone else. Everything these informants say is treated as gospel when it comes to getting search warrants and scoring convictions, but the second the informant turns on the cops, all you hear is that informants can never be trusted. No kidding.
If you rely on untrustworthy people to help you make drug arrests, then your drug arrests can't be trusted. It's just that simple. And if you can't (as drug cops often claim) do basic drug enforcement without relying on these people, then it follows that solid and reliable drug enforcement is truly impossible.
It's amazing to watch a disgraced drug cop comes forward and try to defend himself with no better argument than the fact that his whole job revolves around working with notorious liars to put people in jail who may or may not have done anything wrong. It sounds like Lucas stepped way out of line here, but the real fault lies with the way our drug laws are enforced in general. Can you even imagine how often this process produces gratuitous injustices without anyone but the innocent defendant paying the price?
CLEVELAND â An agent of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration was indicted today on charges that he lied repeatedly in a botched 2005 drug case that caused 17 people to be wrongly charged.
Lee Lucas, a 19-year veteran, was charged in U.S. District Court in Cleveland with perjury, making false statements, obstruction of justice and violating a person's civil rights involving a case that resulted in 26 arrests in Mansfield. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]
As one might expect, all of this revolves around a lying informant who played everyone in a desperate attempt to save his own hide. Officer Lucas is accused of failing to provide proper supervision and repeatedly lying to cover up the mess.
Of course, Lucas's fellow officers have eagerly come to his defense, because there scarcely exists any form of police misconduct so shocking to the conscience as to disqualify from being treated as a martyr by their colleagues. This comment, posted on the Plain Dealer story, perfectly reveals the mentality that police aren't responsible for mistakes in the war on drugs
Lee Lucas is being a scapegoat for a convicted drug criminal named Jarrell Bray. Jerrel Bray turned on Lee because Lee would not engage in getting Jerrel off the hook for a shooting Jerrel committed.
â¦
Jerrel is afraid to return to prison as a snitch. Can you blame him? He is a weasel who is trying to save his skin on the inside.
How do you think a snitch like Jerrel would function in the big House?
Is Jerrell Bray the person you want to trust?
No, he's not, and that's exactly the problem. This shady informant's dubious allegations should never have formed the basis for criminal charges against anyone. It was Lucas and the DEA who trusted this guy and used him to serve their agenda, not anyone else. Everything these informants say is treated as gospel when it comes to getting search warrants and scoring convictions, but the second the informant turns on the cops, all you hear is that informants can never be trusted. No kidding.
If you rely on untrustworthy people to help you make drug arrests, then your drug arrests can't be trusted. It's just that simple. And if you can't (as drug cops often claim) do basic drug enforcement without relying on these people, then it follows that solid and reliable drug enforcement is truly impossible.
It's amazing to watch a disgraced drug cop comes forward and try to defend himself with no better argument than the fact that his whole job revolves around working with notorious liars to put people in jail who may or may not have done anything wrong. It sounds like Lucas stepped way out of line here, but the real fault lies with the way our drug laws are enforced in general. Can you even imagine how often this process produces gratuitous injustices without anyone but the innocent defendant paying the price?
In The Trenches
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 Lineâ¦" 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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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.
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Medical Marijuana Comedy Show ExtravaGANJA
SNL's Drunk Girl himself, Jeff Richards headlines...ExWWE Wrestler Rob Van Dam makes his comedy debut!
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Free Conference: Safe Injection Facilities of New York
It is with pride that we invite you to join us for a Day Conference on âSafe Injection Facilities of New Yorkâ on Friday May 22, 2009 at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
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Capitol Hill Briefing: Is It Time to End the International War on Drugs?
The Cato Institute invites you to a Capitol Hill Briefing -- Is It Time to End the International War on Drugs?
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Joplin NORML Trash Pickup
Help us clean our adopted road to give back to the community we live in! A hangout for participants with burgers/hotdogs will take place after the cleanup at a TBA location!
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