If you're new to LEAP, you might be wondering what is different about this blog compared to other drug policy reform sites. This blog does cover many of the same topics: medical marijuana, SWAT raids, informant problems, new legislation, etc. However, the posts on the LEAP blog are written by current & former law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges and prison wardens. We are a group of criminal justice professionals who believe the War on Drugs is a tremendous failure. Having served in the trenches, we have an inside perspective on the global policy of drug prohibition and we share this unique perspective in our writing.
Our blogging team believes that the black market for illegal drugs has created many unintended consequences. For example: gang warfare over control of the drug trade, the spread of HIV from dirty needles, disrespect for police, money laundering, home invasions, property crime to get money for drugs and so on.
I tend to write about Canadian drug policy issues. William Cooke is new to the blog but he's written some great posts about Baltimore. Peter Moskos is a former Baltimore city cop, a university professor and a prolific blogger. Alison Myrden focuses on medical marijuana. Jay Fleming is a former undercover officer; his focus on the LEAP blog is pain medication. Law Enforcement Against Prohibition has a fantastic Speakers Bureau and you'll see more of these folks writing on the blog in 2010.
If you're interested in learning more about Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, click here. Also, please take one minute out of your day and join LEAP. Anyone can join LEAP for free, and your membership will help us become a larger and stronger organization.
It's a great blog... I just wish it were also hosted on LEAP's main site too. That site needs some redesign, no offense intended of course.
ReplyDeleteI'll second that. LEAP.cc is really great once you invest some time to get to know where everything is, but it is kind of a pain in the ass(pardon my french) to eventually get there. Which might discourage some people from spending valuable time learning more about LEAP. ;S
ReplyDeleteBear & Jonas - you are absolutely correct about the LEAP web site. The front page is very crowded and there are some other problems as well.
ReplyDeleteWe are working on it and hopefully there will be significant updates to the web site early next year.
Jonas - I checked out that comic your name links to... wow, what a great strip! I had never heard of it before but I'm going to read it from now on. Lemonstein was my favourite so far..
ReplyDeleteDRUPAL! http://Drupal.org
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Hi. I'm new here. I scanned through the blog posts and didn't see anything regarding Portugal or Switzerland. So, here are some links to reports.
ReplyDeleteCato Institute
Download full report at bottom of page.
SWITZERLAND’S DRUG POLICY
Prepared For The Senate Special Committee On Illegal Drugs
Chantal Collin
Political and Social Affairs Division
14 January 2002
Enjoy.