When Howard received, "Misty at Liberty" he said to McCool, "I am deeply touched. I look forward to looking at it everyday. You captured the essence of the ride."

Stories from the week of the last week of 2008

Howard the honeybee: Since the summer of 2007 when Senator Webb held his first hearing on the connection between the drug war and massive prison populations, I have been informing the 540 offices of his leadership on this issue. Even as late as this fall, many Senate offices had not heard of his initiative. Three years ago former Congressman Bob Barr and I had a beer and a 45 minute conversation at a café in DC. He advised me that the fastest way to legalize all drugs was to emphasize the Good Samaritan Law (arrest-free 911 call for drug overdose) by creating a paradigm shift from a law enforcement focus to public health. I have been dropping a copy of New Mexico’s law at each office for the review of the legislative aide who focuses on health.

My mentor informed me this month that my efforts are much like a honeybee who goes from flower to flower, leaving pollen. Staffers on the Hill depend on honeybees like me to keep them up to speed on what is going, new developments, etc. They truly appreciate honeybees.

I am nearly in tears: The scream you heard at 0545 EST on Monday was me. I opened the Washington Post to read

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Restore justice in America; construct science based drug policies about saving and rehabilitating instead of ruining lives. Support for the federal war on drugs is inconsistent with support for individual freedom, constitutional government and the teachings of Jesus.

James Madison, the primary author of the Constitution of the United States, said this: "We have staked the whole future of all our political constitutions upon the capacity of each of ourselves to govern ourselves according to the moral principles of the Ten Commandments."

"In the end, however, no constitution can be self enforcing....For the Constitution will live only if it is alive in the hearts and minds of the American people." Roger Pilon, senior fellow and director of CATO's Center for Constitutional Studies.

The Cato Institute offers copies of its popular Constitution booklet. Phone Order: 1-800-767-1241

Howard speaks all over the country with a program to end prohibition and the “War on Drugs.” Many other former law enforcement speakers against the war are available at LEAP. If you have a drug horror story or situation in your community, please email Howard or McCool so we may bring your story to the nation.

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SWISS HEROIN-ASSISTED TREATMENT 1994- 2008: SUMMARY

Overview: Due to the severe drug problem in Switzerland in the early 1990s, (rising number of injection drug users, visibility of open drug scenes, AIDS epidemic, rising number of drug related deaths, poor physical health, high criminality) the Swiss made a fundamental shift in approaching the problems caused by heroin addiction. The Swiss offer treatment-on-demand. Of an estimated 22,000 addicts, 16,500 are in treatment and 92% are given daily doses of methadone at conventional clinics. The Swiss treat about 1300 addicts with maintenance doses of heroin via 23 special clinics operating in cities and two prisons. The Swiss approach has resulted in lower rates of crime, death, disease, a drop in expected new users as well as an improvement in mental and physical health, employment and housing. The program has been copied by six countries: Germany, Holland, Belgium, England, Spain and Canada.

* To qualify for a heroin prescription: 1) at least 18 years old; 2) been addicted (daily use) for at least two years; 3) present signs of poor health; 4) two or more failed attempts of conventional treatment (methadone or other); 5) (Continue below)

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Surrender drivers license; 6) Heroin can only be obtained at the clinic and must be consumed on site (oral or injection). (Note: Under strict control and specific criteria [for example full employment] a few are allowed to take one oral dose daily away)

Patients can receive up to three doses of heroin per day. 60% take the heroin via needle injection, the rest via pill. The use of the oral pill is increasing.
Patients average about three (3) years in this plan. However, they may stay in treatment indefinitely. 20% of original patients are still in the program.
The vast majority of patients are satisfied or very satisfied with the program.
Average age of patient: 38 years.

*Crime Issues: 60% drop in felony crimes by patients. 82% drop in patients selling heroin.

*Death Rates: No one has died from a heroin overdose since the inception of the program. The heroin used is inspected for purity and strength by technicians.

*Disease Rates: New infections of Hepatitis and HIV have been reduced for patients in the program.

*New Use Rates: Lower than expected. 1) As reported in the Lancet June 3, 2006, the medicalisation of using heroin has tarnished the image of heroin and made it unattractive to young people. 2) Most new users are introduced to heroin by members of their social group and 50% of users also deal to support their habit. Therefore, with so many users/sellers in treatment, non-users have fewer opportunities to be exposed to heroin, especially in the rural areas.

*Cost Issues: 48 dollars/day: Patients pay from zero to 12 per day depending on their ability. Note: About 30% of patients work for a living and pay part of the costs. Note: The Swiss save about 30 dollars per day per patient mostly in lowered costs for court and police time, due to less crime committed by the patients.

** This summary was taken from five published reports. The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health reviewed and approved its release. Additional questions should be directed to Dr. Dora Fitzli, the science and health advisor to the Swiss Ambassador at the Embassy. Her English is near native fluency. Tel: 202-745-7954

NOTE: This summary was researched and written by Howard J. Wooldridge of LEAP.

Who Supports the Drug War?

Ossama Bin Laden, President George Bush, The Ochoa Brothers, Congressman Mark Souder, Mexican Drug Cartels, DEA, FARC, National Association of Narcotics Officers, Canadian Cannabis Growers Association, Pharmaceutical Industry, Al Qaeda, Private Prison Association, Meth Makers of Mexico Association, John Walters (USA’s Drug Czar), MS-13 drug gang, California Narcotic Officers’ Association, Crips & Bloods, Deputy Chief Thomas Gorman of California, Pablo Escobars’ Amigos, Congressman Duncan Hunter, Columbian Coca Growers Association, Senator John McCain et al, Fundamentalist Christian Association, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Newsweek, Time

See a pattern here? Ever wondered why it has been so difficult to make even small changes in our policy of prohibition AKA War on People? The 10 major organizations which are trying to end the New Prohibition have a total budget of about 25 million dollars. The drug companies which fear God’s medicine, AKA marijuana, put that much in the freezers of politicians to stifle competition. Does Al Qaeda contribute to the Republican Party? If opposition to the Drug War continues to grow, Al Qaeda would be advised to funnel cash to prohibition politicians. Prohibition puts 3 billion in OBL’s hands every year. Putting 100,000 into a freezer is chump change compared to losing billions.

The California Narcotic Officers Association fears the loss of their paychecks, knowing that the sensible People of California would legalize, regulate and tax marijuana the day after the feds end the National Prohibition. Even if they did not lose their paychecks, they would be reassigned to go after drunk drivers, child predators and other public safety threats. That type of work is boring compared to kicking in a few doors a week, waving their guns around and arresting people. Heaven forbid they would have to take a stolen bicycle report!

MS-13 gang makes billions selling illegal drugs in the USA. They would not be happy to see the end of Prohibition. They would have to go back to landscape jobs! President Bush supports the Drug War to keep his Pharma Industry lobbyists happy. He views the weekly deaths of young teens who die selling these drugs on the sidewalk as ‘God’s Will.’ So no problem there. Mexican drug cartels enjoy the finest tequila and tacos in Mexico on the money they are making. As a bonus, their narco-dollars buy them influence at the Presidential Palace in Mexico City. The private prisons in the USA lobby for more mandatory drug sentences in order to keep their cash flow coming. The Meth Makers of Mexico make billions exporting their product into the US and Canada.

Congressman Mark Souder supports the Drug War because he uses it to get re-elected. “I am getting tough on drugs!” He has convinced the voters in Indiana that the 2nd trillion dollars spent on this policy will result in drugs being slightly less available to their kids. Ditto Congressman Duncan Hunter who has convinced his California constituents of the same thing. Our Drug Czar John Walters simply likes his government job with all the perks of flying around the world saying how much progress was made this year. He reminds me of General Westmoreland during the Vietnam War and body counts.

The growers of BC Bud are making billions exporting to the US the most potent pot on the continent. That industry now employs more people in British Colombia than mining or forestry. The Crips and Bloods make billions as a vertical monopoly buying in bulk and employing their members for the retail sales. Experts say that the economy of several large cities would collapse without the cash that the dealers generate for their home neighborhoods. FARC (guerrillas of Colombia) have been making billions protecting the Coca Growers of Colombia Association. FARC uses their profits to wage war on the Bogotá government.

Fundamentalist Christians are adamant that God believes the Drug War is just and righteous and that Jesus would also support it. Right. Jesus would put a cocaine user in the hell hole of a Texas prison for two years. NOT. ‘But it is immoral to use these drugs’ they say with indignation. When confronted with the fact that young teens die every week because the policy employs a million teens, they usually blame the parents for the deaths, not their support for the policy. Native Americans have used mind-altering substances for centuries. Is the Christian religion superior to their beliefs to the point that Indians should go to jail? NOT! WWJD?

The Washington Post, the New York Times, Newsweek, Time and US News & World Report all support prohibition. Could it be they do not want to upset the drug makers who take out 3-4 full page ads for their drugs? Money talks.

As you can see, the supporters of Prohibition Two are numerous and well-funded. Nonetheless, I will use my one-eyed horse Misty and my Stetson to promote the end of the most dysfunctional, immoral policy since slavery until it is in the history books, or I draw my last breath.

written by Howard J. Wooldridge

If you have 47 minutes: go to PRESSTV.

Click on ‘Programs’ located on the left side of the homepage near the top.

Click on ‘American Dream’

Click on 21 February: Human Rights in the US

US Representative Barney Frank has filed a bipartisan federal bill to legalize "small amounts" of marijuana and make room for serious criminals. Representative Ron Paul is a cosponsor. This Texas straight talker says we are "politicizing pain." Ask your Congressperson to cosponsor, "The Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act"- HR 5843.

If they are hard line drug warriors, ask them to at least support the “Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act”- HR 5842 which would allow the medical use of marijuana in states that have chosen to make its use for medical purposes legal with a doctor's recommendation. The debate over medical marijuana or cannabis is really a scandalous controversy over whether this very easy-to-grow herb should be allowed to compete with pharmaceuticals for pennies on the dollar.

Harassing the sick and dying is an un-American activity.

Commissioned Art - Paintings and Sketches

"Once upon a time you or someone you love was a shining star! Commission a painting or sketch to commemorate that occasion! You can rest assured, it will not be forgotten! "

 

Issue VII, Volume II

Repeat Repeal- We CAN Do It Again!

December 5th marked the 75th anniversary of alcohol prohibition’s repeal and LEAP was there to launch our own Repeat Repeal project. LEAP and the Criminal Justice Policy Foundation released a report detailing how drug prohibition, like alcohol prohibition before it, perpetuates a criminal marketplace and deepens economic hardships, while increasing death, disease and addiction. At a December 2nd, press conference announcing the report, speakers Eric Sterling (head of the Criminal Justice Policy Foundation), Tim Datig , Neill Franklin, Terry Nelson, David Otto, Richard van Wickler, and

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For the next two weeks, you can send a letter to your members of Congress and state law makers. Please act before Dec. 20th and please post or forward this link to as many people as you can! As always, thank you for supporting LEAP.

Did You Know?

Our Repeat Repeal efforts resulted in major press. In the first two weeks of December, LEAP was mentioned in more than 50 newspapers, television reports and radio programs, including our press conference moderator Neal Pierce’s syndicated column, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, the Baltimore Examiner, the Baltimore Sun, the Detroit News, the Southtown Star, the Scranton Times-Tribune, the Providence Journal, Bernd Debusmann’s Reuters column, Froma Harrop’s syndicated column, Debra J. Saunders’s syndicated column, Fox affiliates in Baltimore and Washington, DC, National Public Radio, Austria Radio FM4, Univision.com, MoviSol, and Rachel Maddow’s MSNBC show as well as her Air America radio show, to name just a few… Our media relations director, Tom Angell, continues to field a slew of requests for our speakers, and we couldn’t be happier to spread LEAP’s message far and wide!

Please view “The New Slavery”a video created by

LEAP Administrative Director Bill Fried which makes a dramatic link between

slavery and the war on drugs. The video is featured on our website and on You Tube.

 

 

 

Make the LEAP

With so many exciting things happening here at LEAP and in our world, making the LEAP is easier than ever. If you haven’t already done so, please visit www.WeCanDoItAgain.com to view our report “We Can Do It Again: Repealing Today’s Failed Prohibition” and take a minute to let your state and federal officials know how you feel about the failed war on drugs.

Then take it one step further and visit LEAP webmaster Matt Elrod’s site, , to encourage President-Elect Obama to consider a more responsible choice for our next drug czar than those in our past and present. His decision will have a profound effect not only on the U.S., but on the world. Drug Policy Alliance’s Ethan Nadelmann may be too much to hope for, but we must continue to push for a drug czar who understands the full importance of this issue and maintains a logical point of view, keeping in mind that 3 out of every 4 Americans see the war on drugs as a failure. Please sign this petition and spread the word about the campaign.

As we approach a new year, which will bring a new Congress and a new Presidential administration, we are on the verge of a unique opportunity to change drug policy, and with it our struggling economy. Legalizing and regulating drugs can boost the economy by billions, but before that can happen, we need to reach policymakers and explain why drug prohibition doesn’t make sense. LEAP’s credibility is unparalleled, and our goal is within reach. We need your support to see our efforts through. Please show your allegiance to LEAP by making a contribution today, and help us to continue our mission of education on the failures of drug prohibition.

Thank you for your continued support, and LEAP’s staff, speakers and volunteers wish you a happy holiday season.

We need YOUR help to continue doing all that we do.

If you aren’t already, please consider volunteering your time or donating to LEAP. Together we can End Prohibition Now!

LEAP Links

LEAP Speakers Blog.

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LEAP website

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Questions or comments? E-mail us at kristin.daley@leap.cc

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LEAP on the HILL (continues)

that Senator Webb will in 2009 ask for legislation to authorize the creation of a national, blue-ribbon commission to investigate the matter of having 2.3 million in prison. This commission, boys and girls, is what I have been pushing since I began my first office visits in the fall of 2005.

I have been working closely with his office, since Webb announced in the spring of 2007 his concern about our country locking up 2.3 million. Since my arrival 3 years ago, I have made a total of more than 1000 visits and 20-30 minute presentations to staff & on 17 occasions to the Member of Congress. Certainly LEAP can take credit that the ground for such a bill has been plowed, disked and dragged to the point where the seed has a better chance to grow and eventually bear fruit.

As I put the paper down, I choked up and nearly started crying. It is good to make a difference.

Postscript: Three years ago a lanky, Texas cowboy rode his one-eyed horse into Washington, DC determined to make a difference. I believe we have. LEAP assures me that the Washington project is important. As soon as funds are available, the cowboy will once again walk the halls of Congress...all the best in 2009. Howard & Misty

by Howard "Cowboy" Wooldridge

 

Testimony for the Joint Economic Committee

June 19, 2008

Assessing U.S. drug policy

and providing a base for future decision

Howard J. Wooldridge

Bath Township, MI Police Detective Howard J. Wooldridge, (retired)

At the hearing of the Joint Economic Committee which Senator Webb chaired on June 19, 2008 two questions asked by the Members were not fully answered. Therefore, I would like the following information be included as part of the record for that hearing.

Regarding Senator Webb’s question on how the expenditure of time to arrest some 845,000 persons per year on marijuana charges impacts other areas of law enforcement: During my fifteen (15) years of police service I learned that my profession often searches and does not find anything illegal. Thus, one can not simply extrapolate the number of arrests times X hours of time per arrest. An average of ten (10) vehicle searches must be conducted in order to find one containing marijuana. Conservatively, 7-8 million hours of patrol time are spent enforcing marijuana prohibition laws. This results in less time for effective DUI, reckless driving and other traffic enforcement priorities.

Regarding Congressman Hinchey’s question of the percentage of prisoners whose crime touches in someway drug prohibition laws: My experience as a detective and in speaking with colleagues show 70-75 % of felony crime touches drug prohibition policy.

Whether crimes committed go up or down, drug prohibition continues to be the engine driving the vast majority of felony crime in America.

Howard Wooldridge were joined via phone by renowned Harvard economist Jeffrey Miron, who estimates that legalizing drugs would boost the economy by at least $76.8 billion a year.

Repeat Repeal has been LEAP’s biggest effort yet; it was a great way to end the year, but the best is yet to come! In 2009, we look forward to not only the increased visibility resulting from our large-scale project, but also the equally-important presentations to civic clubs, rotaries and colleges, where our speakers connect with audiences throughout the U.S. and abroad.

LEAP’s first-ever billboard, unveiled on July 15, 2008 in Omaha, Nebraska

Please read Graham Boyd’s full blog at To view Jack Cole’s blog on the United Nations Conference in its entirety, including photos from the conference, please click here.