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Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Press Release: New Obama Drug Strategy Just Like Old "Drug War" Approach
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 11, 2010
CONTACT: Tom Angell - (202) 557-4979 or media//at//leap//dot//cc
New Obama Drug Strategy Just Like Old "Drug War" Approach
Despite Rhetoric, Administration Funds Enforcement Over Treatment
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Obama administration released its National Drug Control Strategy today, claiming that it represents a balanced new approach to drug policy that focuses on treatment over enforcement. However, a group of police officers who support legalization is pointing out that despite the administration's words, the drug budget dedicates nearly twice as much funding to policing and enforcement as it does to public health and prevention, virtually the same ratio as the previous budget under President Bush.
"The drug czar is saying all the right things about ending the 'war on drugs' and enacting a long-overdue balanced strategy focused on a public health approach," said Neill Franklin, a former Baltimore cop and incoming executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP). "Unfortunately the reality of the budget numbers doesn't match up to the rhetoric. Two-thirds of the budget is dedicated to the same old 'war on drugs' approach and only a third goes to public health strategies. My experience policing the beat tells me that it's certainly time for a new approach, but unfortunately this administration is failing to provide the necessary leadership to actually make it happen instead of just talking about it."
The strategy devotes 64 percent of the budget to traditional supply reduction strategies like enforcement and interdiction while reserving only 36 percent for demand reduction approaches like treatment and prevention. And, due to accounting changes made under the Bush administration and maintained by Obama, the budget ratio doesn't even take into account some costs of the "war on drugs" such as incarceration.
Drug policy reform advocates are pleased, however, with the strategy's support for syringe exchange programs and its criticism of laws that bar people with drug convictions from receiving public benefits like student aid.
"It's great to see the administration starting to talk like they want to actually change failed drug policies," said Franklin. "But we can't let them get away with claiming that they've ended the 'war on drugs' while we continue to arrest 800,000 people a year on marijuana charges alone."
The National Drug Control Strategy can be found online at http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/strategy/
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) is an international organization representing police, prosecutors, judges, FBI/DEA agents and others who want to legalize and regulate drugs after fighting on the front lines of the "war on drugs" and learning firsthand that prohibition only serves to worsen addiction and violence. More info at http://www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com
# # #
CONTACT: Tom Angell - (202) 557-4979 or media//at//leap//dot//cc
New Obama Drug Strategy Just Like Old "Drug War" Approach
Despite Rhetoric, Administration Funds Enforcement Over Treatment
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Obama administration released its National Drug Control Strategy today, claiming that it represents a balanced new approach to drug policy that focuses on treatment over enforcement. However, a group of police officers who support legalization is pointing out that despite the administration's words, the drug budget dedicates nearly twice as much funding to policing and enforcement as it does to public health and prevention, virtually the same ratio as the previous budget under President Bush.
"The drug czar is saying all the right things about ending the 'war on drugs' and enacting a long-overdue balanced strategy focused on a public health approach," said Neill Franklin, a former Baltimore cop and incoming executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP). "Unfortunately the reality of the budget numbers doesn't match up to the rhetoric. Two-thirds of the budget is dedicated to the same old 'war on drugs' approach and only a third goes to public health strategies. My experience policing the beat tells me that it's certainly time for a new approach, but unfortunately this administration is failing to provide the necessary leadership to actually make it happen instead of just talking about it."
The strategy devotes 64 percent of the budget to traditional supply reduction strategies like enforcement and interdiction while reserving only 36 percent for demand reduction approaches like treatment and prevention. And, due to accounting changes made under the Bush administration and maintained by Obama, the budget ratio doesn't even take into account some costs of the "war on drugs" such as incarceration.
Drug policy reform advocates are pleased, however, with the strategy's support for syringe exchange programs and its criticism of laws that bar people with drug convictions from receiving public benefits like student aid.
"It's great to see the administration starting to talk like they want to actually change failed drug policies," said Franklin. "But we can't let them get away with claiming that they've ended the 'war on drugs' while we continue to arrest 800,000 people a year on marijuana charges alone."
The National Drug Control Strategy can be found online at http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/strategy/
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) is an international organization representing police, prosecutors, judges, FBI/DEA agents and others who want to legalize and regulate drugs after fighting on the front lines of the "war on drugs" and learning firsthand that prohibition only serves to worsen addiction and violence. More info at http://www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com
# # #
Monday, May 10, 2010
Press Release: DEA's Senate Testimony Shows Legalizing Marijuana Would Hurt Cartels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 10, 2010
CONTACT: Tom Angell - (202) 557-4979 or media//at//leap//dot//cc
DEA's Senate Testimony Shows Legalizing Marijuana Would Hurt Cartels
Pro-Legalization Police Group Supports California Ballot Measure
WASHINGTON, DC -- A group of police officers, judges and prosecutors who support legalizing marijuana is pointing to new congressional testimony from the FBI and DEA as evidence that the government's marijuana prohibition policy actually helps -- not hurts -- drug cartels.
Appearing before the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, representatives for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration testified last Wednesday that "marijuana is the top revenue generator for Mexican [cartels]—a cash crop that finances corruption and the carnage of violence year after year. The profits derived from marijuana trafficking—an industry with minimal overhead costs, controlled entirely by the traffickers—are used not only to finance other drug enterprises by Mexico’s poly-drug cartels, but also to pay recurring 'business' expenses, purchase weapons, and bribe corrupt officials."
The pro-legalization police group, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), believes that if California voters approve the marijuana legalization initiative on this November's ballot the Mexican drug cartels will lose a huge source of revenue.
"By legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana, California voters can ensure that the Mexican drug cartels who control the currently-illegal market will no longer be able to fund a bloody drug war with profits from marijuana sales to Californians," said Russ Jones, a LEAP speaker and former San Jose narcotics detective who is just one of dozens of California law enforcers actively supporting the initiative. "As a cop, I saw how prohibition doesn't prevent anyone from using marijuana but instead allows murderous gangsters and thugs to collect huge riches, just like during alcohol prohibition. It's time to put these criminals out of business with legalization and control."
The full FBI/DEA testimony can be read at http://www.fbi.gov/congress/congress10/perkins050510.htm.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) is an international organization representing police, prosecutors, judges, FBI/DEA agents and others who want to legalize and regulate drugs after fighting on the front lines of the "war on drugs" and learning firsthand that prohibition only serves to worsen addiction and violence. More info at http://www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com.
# # #
CONTACT: Tom Angell - (202) 557-4979 or media//at//leap//dot//cc
DEA's Senate Testimony Shows Legalizing Marijuana Would Hurt Cartels
Pro-Legalization Police Group Supports California Ballot Measure
WASHINGTON, DC -- A group of police officers, judges and prosecutors who support legalizing marijuana is pointing to new congressional testimony from the FBI and DEA as evidence that the government's marijuana prohibition policy actually helps -- not hurts -- drug cartels.
Appearing before the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, representatives for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration testified last Wednesday that "marijuana is the top revenue generator for Mexican [cartels]—a cash crop that finances corruption and the carnage of violence year after year. The profits derived from marijuana trafficking—an industry with minimal overhead costs, controlled entirely by the traffickers—are used not only to finance other drug enterprises by Mexico’s poly-drug cartels, but also to pay recurring 'business' expenses, purchase weapons, and bribe corrupt officials."
The pro-legalization police group, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), believes that if California voters approve the marijuana legalization initiative on this November's ballot the Mexican drug cartels will lose a huge source of revenue.
"By legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana, California voters can ensure that the Mexican drug cartels who control the currently-illegal market will no longer be able to fund a bloody drug war with profits from marijuana sales to Californians," said Russ Jones, a LEAP speaker and former San Jose narcotics detective who is just one of dozens of California law enforcers actively supporting the initiative. "As a cop, I saw how prohibition doesn't prevent anyone from using marijuana but instead allows murderous gangsters and thugs to collect huge riches, just like during alcohol prohibition. It's time to put these criminals out of business with legalization and control."
The full FBI/DEA testimony can be read at http://www.fbi.gov/congress/congress10/perkins050510.htm.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) is an international organization representing police, prosecutors, judges, FBI/DEA agents and others who want to legalize and regulate drugs after fighting on the front lines of the "war on drugs" and learning firsthand that prohibition only serves to worsen addiction and violence. More info at http://www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com.
# # #
American Found
The body of a 67 year old US citizen that had been reported missing has been found semi-buried in a stream bed yesterday in Santa Ana, Sonora. Ryan Roland Claude was from Phoenix, Arizona was kidnapped last week by two suspects (whom police have identified as being involved).
Last Saturday, a police station was attacked by gunmen In the town of Jiménez del Teul, Zacatecas, a police officer was killed and another wounded in the attack.
In Manzanares, Guanajuato, gunmen attacked a motorcycle club that has ties to criminal activities, killing 3 men.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Don't sniff the fumes
The narco war is the paint stripper that has removed the varnish from Mexico, revealing all the foibles and failings that have long laid under the surface, once ignored and forgotten (at the very least, the PRI government for 71 years did nothing except to apply ever-thicker coats of varnish).
But, thanks to President Calderón and his war against drugs, the panoply of problems that utterly permeate Mexican society have now reared its head, providing fodder for the the cartels and an unshakable mantel of which the government, the rich, the powerful and the intelligentsia can no longer shake free. Impunity, corruption, inefficiency, lack of transparency, no accountability, poverty, illiteracy, a broken infrastructure, lack of opportunity for the young, a weak almost non-existent justice system, archaic bureaucracy, and the sense of entitlement of the uncaring entitled. Now that this has been exposed to the light, the task before all of us in Mexico is to proceed to repair it, regardless of the time required or of the expense.
Back to business-The governor of Durango finally put 35 police officers under investigation for corruption, crime and collusion with the cartels. Hernández Deras ordered the 35 officers, including cadets, state police, the director of the Public Security Institute, Miguel Preza and the director of the Confidence Control Center (which conducts tests of police officers to detect corruption and malfeasance), José Luis Carrillo Rodríguez after investigations turned up all these bad apples.
And, not that it is too much of a shock (although it is certainly disappointing), Gustavo de la Rosa of the State Human Rights Commission of Chihuahua has revealed that during the month since the Federal Police have taken over policing duties from the army, extortion, robberies and abuse of authority complaints have risen against the police as compared to the military when they were stationed in Juaréz.
De la Rosa has stated that 18 police officers are already under arrest and are being investigated by his office. My observation of this, though, is that many community members must be hesitant to make reports against the military given the fact that the military investigate all matters themselves and are not required to release any results. In one sense, given this opacity, we just do not know what the true situation is (which is not unusual for Mexico).
But, thanks to President Calderón and his war against drugs, the panoply of problems that utterly permeate Mexican society have now reared its head, providing fodder for the the cartels and an unshakable mantel of which the government, the rich, the powerful and the intelligentsia can no longer shake free. Impunity, corruption, inefficiency, lack of transparency, no accountability, poverty, illiteracy, a broken infrastructure, lack of opportunity for the young, a weak almost non-existent justice system, archaic bureaucracy, and the sense of entitlement of the uncaring entitled. Now that this has been exposed to the light, the task before all of us in Mexico is to proceed to repair it, regardless of the time required or of the expense.
Back to business-The governor of Durango finally put 35 police officers under investigation for corruption, crime and collusion with the cartels. Hernández Deras ordered the 35 officers, including cadets, state police, the director of the Public Security Institute, Miguel Preza and the director of the Confidence Control Center (which conducts tests of police officers to detect corruption and malfeasance), José Luis Carrillo Rodríguez after investigations turned up all these bad apples.
And, not that it is too much of a shock (although it is certainly disappointing), Gustavo de la Rosa of the State Human Rights Commission of Chihuahua has revealed that during the month since the Federal Police have taken over policing duties from the army, extortion, robberies and abuse of authority complaints have risen against the police as compared to the military when they were stationed in Juaréz.
De la Rosa has stated that 18 police officers are already under arrest and are being investigated by his office. My observation of this, though, is that many community members must be hesitant to make reports against the military given the fact that the military investigate all matters themselves and are not required to release any results. In one sense, given this opacity, we just do not know what the true situation is (which is not unusual for Mexico).
And the winners are...
A while back I asked for suggestions as to which politicians or law enforcement officials should receive copies of the new book from the Transform Drug Policy Foundations.
Some people made suggestions in the comments section, while others sent me names through email. Last week I mailed out books and LEAP DVD's to the following three people:
1) Senator Bev Purdue (Governor of North Carolina)
2) Mayor Ross Forrest (Mayor of Lake Cowichan, British Columbia)
3) Dr. Jeffrey Seif (Leader of Zola Levitt Ministries and he also holds an active reserve commission with the DeSoto Police Department in Texas)
I enjoyed doing this and hopefully the blog will be able to host more events like this in the future. Thanks for all the suggestions!
Some people made suggestions in the comments section, while others sent me names through email. Last week I mailed out books and LEAP DVD's to the following three people:
1) Senator Bev Purdue (Governor of North Carolina)
2) Mayor Ross Forrest (Mayor of Lake Cowichan, British Columbia)
3) Dr. Jeffrey Seif (Leader of Zola Levitt Ministries and he also holds an active reserve commission with the DeSoto Police Department in Texas)
I enjoyed doing this and hopefully the blog will be able to host more events like this in the future. Thanks for all the suggestions!
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