Cops Say Legalize Drugs: LEAP Forum at DPA Los Angeles Office

For Immediate Release Contact: Alberto Mendoza, (213) 201-4785 July 20, 2006 Growing Movement of Law Enforcement Officers Indict the War on Drugs LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) to Debut 12-minute Video Offering Radical Alternative to War on drugs LEAP Event (Thursday, July 27th) Comes as West Hollywood Makes Marijuana Enforcement Lowest Priority Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), an organization of current and former members of law enforcement who believe the war on drugs has failed, will hold an event, “Law Enforcement Indicts the War of Drugs” on Thursday, July 27 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Drug Policy Alliance’s Los Angeles office, 610 Ardmore Ave. At the event, LEAP will offer a radical alternative to the failed war on drugs. The premier of LEAP’s new 12-minute video will be followed by a panel of law enforcement and drug policy experts. The event comes on the heels of the recent passage of the West Hollywood Marijuana Resolution to make marijuana enforcement the lowest priority, and a similar measure in Santa Monica which is expected to qualify for the November election. Polling indicates the public is overwhelmingly in favor of both measures. “The drug war has arguably been the single most devastating, dysfunctional social policy since slavery,” said Norm Stamper, the former Seattle Police Chief and LEAP member. LEAP, with over 3,000 members, was formed three years ago to give voice to law enforcement officers who believe the war on drugs has failed and who wish to support alternative policies that will lower the incidence of death, disease, crime, and addiction, by ultimately ending drug prohibition. LEAP is made up of former drug warriors – police, parole, probation and correction officers, judges and prosecutors. "Over a thousand young people went to jail as a direct result of what I did out there as one undercover agent...something I'm certainly not proud of today,” said Cole, a retired undercover narcotics officer for the New Jersey State. The event is sponsored by the Drug Policy Alliance, LEAP and Common Sense for Drug Policy. For more information, please call 213-201-4785.