Politricks

From: "Neill Franklin, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition" <leap@mail.democracyinaction.org>

Date: December 30, 2010 2:44:28 PM GMT-04:00

To: jwright@surfbvi.com

Subject: Who Said?

Reply-To: leap@mail.democracyinaction.org

Dear Jeremy, Who said.... “The prohibitionist approach, based on repression of production and criminalization of consumption, has clearly failed." A retired police chief, beat cop, judge or prosecutor from LEAP? Not directly. Click here for a year-end message from Executive Director Neill Franklin It was the former President of Brazil, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, reflecting the core findings of the Latin American Commission on Drugs and Democracy. President Cardoso, along with the former presidents of Mexico and Colombia, is a co-chair of the Commission. LEAP’s Board Chair and former Executive Director Jack Cole presented to the Brazilian Commission on Drugs and Democracy in October of 2009. Following his presentation, 13 of the 18 commissioners stated that legalized regulation was the best solution to drug war violence. Two months later, LEAP speaker Captain Leigh Maddox and I participated in a documentary depicting the impact of the drug war on inner cities. The film was hosted by President Cardoso. Most recently, in November of 2010, I traveled to Brazil to speak about violence and the drug war. LEAP has made significant contact with key members of the Commission; the same Commission that said, “2011 is the time to move away from a punitive approach in order to pursue a new set of policies based on public health, human rights, and common sense.” We’re certainly not taking specific credit for the fact that their sentiments echo our long-standing position, but it's no coincidence that our long-standing position is being stated by an increasingly diverse and powerful set of people and institutions. Who said, “Portugal’s drug policies pay off: US eyes lessons?” The Associated Press, talking about how moving away from the punitive approach reduces death, disease, crime and addiction, just as we have been saying for years. And now you can play “who said?” at home! Read up on the incredible spectrum of opinion leaders who are beginning to sound a lot like LEAP speakers, and send us their quote. We’ll publish at least one a month beginning in February with the debut of our redesigned website. You’ll be amazed by who is coming around. And you’ll be proud of the support you’ve shown, which makes this possible, because our speakers provide the bedrock respectability required to make our commonsensical message commonplace. The more we speak, write and appear, the louder and more persistent the echoes become. But our outlandish call for hope rather than despair and violence needs YOU to give it wings. Let us speak through you. Keep us strong enough to lead our leaders to a safer, healthier America, a nation no longer tied to the policies and prejudices of the past; a new country in a truly new year. We can do it. You can help. And from all of us at LEAP, have a wonderful new year!