Posted March 30th, 2010 by hiwayhowie
PROHIBITION STILL FAILS
As a retired police detective and a student of history, I know there is only one sure method to rid the streets of Columbus of drug dealers; namely, to put all the dangerous, illegal drugs in a state-regulated store, perhaps with the same rules and controls as alcohol.
My profession has arrested millions of drug dealers in the past 40 years, and drugs remain readily available to our children. There is always someone who will take the chance of prison or death to make the ‘easy’ money.
Howard Wooldridge
Albany
Posted March 26th, 2010 by hiwayhowie
In regard to your March 17 editorial “Murder in Mexico”: As a police detective who worked the trenches of our failed modern Prohibition-like war on drugs, I experienced firsthand the fact that the strategy has been the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral domestic policy since slavery and Jim Crow. Americans are loathe to admit this policy has been a mistake, even after 40 years of failure and a trillion tax dollars spent. However, Rep. Ron Paul favors repealing drug prohibition and he was a candidate for president ( and raised a ton of money ). He is now a force in Republican politics.
You state that drug use would rise with a legal, regulated market. Besides a business and finance expert, are you also a doctor, board-certified in addiction psychiatry? I have spoken to eight such doctors and they state that almost no one would start using heroin, crack or methamphetamines just because it became legal. Most Americans are not that stupid.
Howard Wooldridge
Drug Policy Specialist
Citizens Opposing Prohibition
Washington
Posted March 21st, 2010 by hiwayhowie
COPs on the Hill
Stories from the week of March 19, 2010
Is that all you have to wear? On Tuesday I needed to collect the change of staffers in the Longworth Bldg in preparation to begin my meetings there. To avoid sweating badly, I dressed in my COPs t-shirt to go into 131 offices. I had been in Congressman Hank Johnson’s (D-GA) office for just a few moments, when he came thru the door. Recall he was the Member who saw me at Christamas in my shirt, as I delivered MPP’s Christmas car and we chatted. Recall I asked him a question at the CBC (Congressional Black Caucus) seminar last fall…in my T-shirt.
Anyway, he shook my hand, asked what progress I was making, etc. We had an excellent two minute chat with 7 staffers gathered around us (I am sure in a bit of amazement). I hope Congressman Johnson knows I have more to wear than my t-shirt! Small steps.
We love pack rats:* After last week’s Senate hearing on how the Mexican Drug Cartels are corrupting federal officers, I remembered that Bob Ramsey of Texas (who recruited* me into Drug Reform 13 years ago) had given me a graph showing this type of corruption. Doug Ierley of Senator Webb’s office wanted info on corruption. Bob dug thru his many files of info and located the document, sending it to me. The document is already with Doug and will be in the hands of all the offices of Senators on the committee which held the hearing. Thanks Bob.
Don’t lose your humanity: Last Sunday afternoon I heard the news of the slaughter of innocents in Ciudad Juarez — 3 adults (one pregnant) connected to our consulate and the wounding of two of their children. For 30 seconds my mind raced to understand how this tragedy would help move and end the policy of prohibition. Then BOOM. My thinking process came to a screeching halt. I became horrified that my first thoughts had been about the policy, instead of what a tragedy of huge proportions. 3 children are now orphans, many families are weeping as they make preparations for a funeral, etc. I spoke to Karen and aired out* how I needed to keep all in perspective. Truly I have been drinking too much of the DC water. I need more time with Misty. Something.
COP stats for first year to date:
278 presentations to Congressional Staffers
8 presentations to VIPs (elected officials)
31 published Letters to the Editor (that we know of)
Numerous conferences, hearings & briefings attended. C-Span broadcast my question at a Senate briefing
8 radio shows
Two TV interviews (Colombian TV) & Fox
*pack rat = eine Person, die alles aufbewahrt, nichts weg wirft.
* recruited = hat mich überzeugt tätig zu werden
* aired out = Luft machen, auslüften, etwas wie das.. über alles sprechen und ausdrücken.
Consider being a member of COPs at $30.00 or more per year. It is tax-deductible. Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow. Go to: www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or check.
Detective/Officer Howard Wooldridge (retired)
Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org
Washington, DC
817-975-1110 Cell
howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org
Citizens Opposing Prohibition – Become a Member
PO Box 772
Buckeystown, MD 21717-0772
Modern Prohibition/The War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional & immoral domestic policy since slavery & Jim Crow.
Posted March 16th, 2010 by hiwayhowie
Dear Editor,
Mr. Hager and Stutman both left out the most vital reason to repeal marijuana prohibition; namely it reduces public safety.
Every hour my colleagues spend chasing a Michael Phelps and his supplier mean less time for the deadly reckless and DUI.
As detectives fly around in helicopters looking for green weeds, they are not catching child molesters and rapists.
Public safety suffers as we chase the adult marijuana smoker into their home.
The Hager/Stutman dog and pony show has been going on for years to help those gentlemen earn a living, not really inform the public.
Detective/Officer Howard Wooldridge ( retired )
Posted March 16th, 2010 by hiwayhowie
Re: “Exodus — Families and businesses alike flee the embattled city of Juárez for safer, greener pastures in the U.S.,” Sunday news story.
The excellent, depressing report by Alfredo Corchado outlines yet another unintended consequence of our wonderful drug war.
As a police officer who worked the trenches of the drug war spanning three decades, I saw it cause more pain, suffering and death than the drugs themselves.
Howard Wooldridge, Dallas
