Hardrock69
11-07-2005, 02:34 AM
Friday, October 28, 2005 - http://www.freemarketnews.com/WorldNews.asp?nid=1579
One of the most influential groups calling for the government to end the war on drugs is an organization of law officers that have first hand experience of its failures, according to The Albuquerque Tribune. The Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a lobby group against the war on drugs, is gaining attention because it has over 2,000 members that range from former police officers, and prosecutors to judges. The group includes many high-ranking officials such as a previous New York City police chief and Gary Johnson, a former Governor of New Mexico.
It is estimated that the government has spent over $500 billion on the war against drugs, but members of LEAP all have first-hand experience and maintain that current policies are having no effect. They argue that instead of sending drug users or sellers to jail, the government should focus its resources on treatment. Supply cannot be stopped in a free market, but demand can be reduced through appropriate intervention.
Despite massive budgets and resources thrown at the problem LEAP members point out that usage of methamphetamines is exploding throughout the country. Jack Cole, the executive director of LEAP says, “This is not a war on drugs. It's a war on people.” White House officials have accused LEAP of being misguided and irresponsible.
One of the most influential groups calling for the government to end the war on drugs is an organization of law officers that have first hand experience of its failures, according to The Albuquerque Tribune. The Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a lobby group against the war on drugs, is gaining attention because it has over 2,000 members that range from former police officers, and prosecutors to judges. The group includes many high-ranking officials such as a previous New York City police chief and Gary Johnson, a former Governor of New Mexico.
It is estimated that the government has spent over $500 billion on the war against drugs, but members of LEAP all have first-hand experience and maintain that current policies are having no effect. They argue that instead of sending drug users or sellers to jail, the government should focus its resources on treatment. Supply cannot be stopped in a free market, but demand can be reduced through appropriate intervention.
Despite massive budgets and resources thrown at the problem LEAP members point out that usage of methamphetamines is exploding throughout the country. Jack Cole, the executive director of LEAP says, “This is not a war on drugs. It's a war on people.” White House officials have accused LEAP of being misguided and irresponsible.