Stories from the week of November 11, 2011

COP on the Hill

Your Voice in the United States Congress

 Pacing myself:  I spent the week catching up on emails and sending out information that people from the DPA conference wanted, etc.     It kept me busy. 

Talking Points:  Nothing to report, so I will take this opportunity to give you what every Congressional staffer receives:  My 20 minute presentation works off the points below.  Total reading time: 3 minutes

Sheet #1:

Imagine these Changes by Repealing Drug Prohibition:

1. Police could arrest many more pedophiles and rapists
2. Eliminate drug dealers
3. Stop wasting 75 billion per year –  arresting and incarcerating drug law violators
4. Inject 200 billion into the US economy
5. Stop funding al Qaeda/Taliban
6. End Mexico’s agony & death: Secure our Borders
7. Reduce felony crime by 50% (Swiss have shown this)
8. Shrink gangs & their violence (gang experts say by 50%)
9. Improve quality of life in our inner cities, allowing development
10. End the most dysfunctional, costly social policy failure in US history
11. Excise tax on just marijuana would generate a billion for federal coffers @15¢/dose

Police Mission: Public Safety or Personal Safety:  Pick One

The police cannot fix stupid: only family and friends have a chance.

The Thin Blue Line (police) is getting thinner.   Where do we spend our time?

Concept

Utilize the 10^th Amendment.    Start with marijuana.   Empower the States to decide on medical, industrial and personal use policies.  Create tax paying jobs and increase tax revenues.

Basic Principles to Employ

1. Personal Liberty / Personal Responsibility (like we do with alcohol, cigarettes and guns)
2. The medical community should handle drug abuse issues
3. Limited Govt intrusion into an adult’s  life
4. Trust Adults with gun ownership:  Now trust gun owners with a plant.
5. The States should become 50 laboratories to discover what works best.

Law Enforcement Support for the COP Position on Marijuana

1. National Latino Officers Association (www.nloaus.org)
2. National Black Police Association (www.blackpolice.org)
3. LEAP – Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (www.leap.cc)

Supporters of Marijuana Prohibition and Why

1.  Law Enforcement: reason – smaller paychecks if legal (per FOP)
2. Mexican Drug Cartels: reason – 50% reduction in profits if legal (per Congress’ hearings)
3. The Taliban & al Qaeda – provides money to buy weapons
4. Pharmaceutical Industry: – 1-2% reduction in gross sales ($7-14 billion loss)
5. Illegal USA growers: 80% reduction in gross profits if legal (per Rand Study)
6. California Beer Wholesalers Assoc – don’t want the competition = $$

Detective/Officer Howard J. Wooldridge (Retired)

Drug Policy Specialist, COP – Citizens Opposing Prohibition.org

Washington, DC:   817-975-1110

Sheet # 2: Why do more than 900,000 teenagers sell drugs¹ but not alcohol or cigarettes?

Because alcohol and tobacco are regulated and sold through stores

Notes:
1) “Alcohol Use and Delinquent Behaviors among Youths,” April 2005, SAMHSA Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (www.SAMHSA.gov), USDHHS.  (www.hhs.gov)

In 2003, more than 900,000 (3.6 percent) youths sold illegal drugs, and more than 900,000 (3.6 percent) youths carried a handgun during the past year.

Sheet #3:   DEA brochure which says: “Drugs are readily available to America’s youth.”

 Stats for COP’s third year, started on August 1, 2011:

180 presentations to Congressional staffers:     this week

4 Letter to the Editor:  1 this week

2 Television appearances (Univision):   this week

5 Other media (blogs, cable TV, etc):  this week

4 radio shows:  1 this week

8 (Member of Congress) contacts:    this week

2 Major conferences attended: Drug Policy Alliance International, Congressional Black Caucus annual

Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year.   All contributions are tax-deductible.   Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal prohibition.  COP provides that voice.   If you 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 send a check to: 

COP

POB 2902

Washington, DC  20013

If you have questions or comments, please send an email to: howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

COP total stats in first two years:  August 1, 2009 thru July 31, 2011)

 649 Presentations to Congressional staffers

22 Appearances on major TV networks

10 published interviews in newspapers

12 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, etc

57 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $56,000)

19 brief chats with Members of Congress

13 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, etc.

6 major conferences attended (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, etc)

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.