cannabisnews.com: Former Cop Says Legalize Drugs Former Cop Says Legalize Drugs Posted by CN Staff on August 19, 2003 at 14:51:36 PT By Rebecca Meany, Times-News Writer Source: Times-News Twin Falls -- The longest, dustiest, loneliest trail of a cowboy was never as challenging as Howard Wooldridge's road. With a one-eyed pinto named "Misty" and just 16 pounds of pack, the retired police officer is traveling more than 3,000 miles to send a message to America: The millions of hours spent on drug enforcement reduce public safety. "There's a massive crime wave because of the U.S. prohibition of drugs," he said. Drugs are cheaper, stronger and easier to buy than ever before, according to Wooldridge.The solution? "There is no solution," he admits. "Only approaches."Wooldridge is a founding member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, a group of current and retired police officers who support legalizing drugs. He said he retired from law enforcement in 1994 after 15 years as a police officer in Bath, Mich. On Monday, he and his horse traveled between Kimberly and Filer on the latest leg of his cross-country odyssey. "Drugs have been around for thousands of years, and likely always will be," he said. "But the 1 to 2 percent of Americans who use heavy narcotics will use them whether or not they're legal. And the other 98 percent of Americans don't need a law to stop them from using. We won't use drugs, because we're smarter than that." Current drug laws, he maintains, are a waste of time."We're the mosquito on the rear of an elephant," he said. "We make 0.0 difference, and every cop knows it."Local officials, however, disagree."We have a lot of people who were cooking meth but are now in jail," said state Sen. Denton Darrington, R-Declo, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Without current drug laws, he said, each of those people would still be on the street peddling drugs.To him, that's evidence enough that drug laws make a difference in the community. Wooldridge expects that kind of response. "They make big busts and fill up prisons," he said, "but does it reduce the supply of drugs on the street? No.""We condemn our children to grow up in a world of blood-sucking drug dealers and their free samples," he continued. "And since all profits go to criminals and terrorists, where's the upside?""There's a concept that the government will protect you from bad things -- that we need the government to protect us. We need to return to a policy based on personal responsibility," he said.Gordon Jackson of Twin Falls agrees."We've wasted a lot on drugs (and the drug war)," he said. "We should go back to basics. We have to instill a moral attitude in our kids."But for Detective Scott Smith of the Twin Falls Police Department, a moral attitude is not enough. "This year the city of Twin Falls adopted a zero tolerance" stance toward drugs, he said. "Our goal is to increase by 10 percent the number of narcotics-related arrests from last year."The department has set up a public hotline to tip off drug crimes and discourage offenders. According to Smith, drug dealers are taking notice."The word on the street is that we're doing this," he said. "They know about the hotline, and they know we're aggressively pursuing them."Because punishment is the best deterrent to any crime, he said, the police department is devoting a tremendous effort to that area. And because drugs are often at the root of other crimes, the Twin Falls police expect the crackdown to reduce crime in general.But what many see as vital, Wooldridge sees as ineffectual."Drug dealers accept death (from other dealers) and imprisonment as a condition of employment," he said. "Plus, those who get taken off the street are just replaced by someone else."Wooldridge's best-case scenario is that all drug use and drug abuse become a medical issue, not a criminal problem."If I were king for a day, I'd let doctors and nurses handle people who end up with drug abuse problems," he said. "Get law enforcement back to crimes which generate a 911 call. Get the child molesters and the drunk drivers."Other positive effects would be felt right away, according to Wooldridge. If legalized, the price of drugs would drop precipitously, he argues. With prices slashed, abusers wouldn't have to steal to get money to buy drugs, and a drop in other crimes would occur. "If legalized, cocaine would drop from $45 a gram to $2," he said.Additionally, according to Wooldridge, the $60 billion a year going to drug law enforcement could be reallocated to other areas.For Smith, any amount of money and time enforcing drug laws is a good thing."The effects of drugs are devastating," he said. "And only a small number of people are able to exercise personal responsibility." Wooldridge remains optimistic about his cause."I sincerely believe that in eight to 10 years the baby boomers will be fully in control of government and at a minimum will end prohibition on marijuana," he said. "Enough voters will come to believe it's a waste of time for our thin blue line to be looking for pot under some kid's front seat.""This is a good cause, and I'll work on it until it's solved or until I draw my last breath," he said. Complete Title: Former Cop Says Legalize Drugs ... Man Rides Across Country with Unorthodox MessageSource: Times-News, The (ID)Author: Rebecca Meany, Times-News WriterPublished: Tuesday, August 19, 2003Copyright: 2003 Magic Valley NewspapersContact: letters magicvalley.comWebsite: http://www.magicvalley.com/Related Articles & Web Site:LEAPhttp://www.leap.cc/ Cops Against The Drug Warhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17059.shtmlCop Plugs Pot Legalization in Journey on Horsehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14708.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #17 posted by MOTAVATION on August 27, 2003 at 05:33:27 PT: L.E.A.P. Woodbridge-"Drug dealers accept death (from other dealers) and imprisonment as a condition of employment," he said. "Plus, those who get taken off the street are just replaced by someone else."- employment? How about an ill patient which has a hard time covering her medical marijuana cost $350oz(2)/$700 a month on avg for her...Is that right? Neither Death, imprionment, risk, OR high prices should be applied to a patient. It's simple economic reasons! Point is "more money, more problems" for even patient's! NEXT MOVE....?will be lower prices and...?Wooldridge's best-case scenario is that all drug use and drug abuse become a medical issue, not a criminal problem.He said it for himself...That drug user and abuse are both medical issue;)"If I were king for a day, I'd let doctors and nurses handle people who end up with drug abuse problems," he said. "Get law enforcement back to crimes which generate a 911 call. Get the child molesters and the drunk drivers."Other positive effects would be felt right away, according to Wooldridge. If legalized, the price of drugs would drop precipitously, he argues. With prices slashed, abusers wouldn't have to distribute and/or steal to get money to buy drugs, and a drop in other crimes would occur. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by ekim on August 26, 2003 at 11:26:39 PT just a few of the upcomming events for LEAP http://leap.cc/events/events.phpSeptember 2003 Sep 20 03 Phoenix Arizona Tour 12:00 AM Jack Cole Phoenix Arizona USA Jack Cole tours the center of the Grand Canyon State explaining the failure of Drug Prohibition Sep 20 03 Military Officers Association of America 11:30 AM Scottsdale Arizona. USA LEAP Executive Director Jack Cole kicks off the Phoenix Arizona Tour with a presentation to some of America’s former soldiers at the Military Officers Association of America, Phoenix Chapter. McCormick Ranch Golf Club, 7505 East McCormick. Scottsdale, Arizona. Sep 20 03 Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Surprise 03:30 PM Jack Cole Surprise Arizona USA LEAP Executive Director Jack Cole takes the message to the pulpit and speaks to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Surprise, Arizona. 17540 N. Avenue of the Arts. Sep 22 03 Arizona State University 07:40 AM Jack Cole Tempe Arizona USA LEAP Executive Director Jack Cole goes back to school with a presentation to the class of Racial Justice, School of Justice Studies, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. Room and building TBD. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by ekim on August 23, 2003 at 07:39:19 PT just recieved conformation on show Mr.Wooldridge will do our show. That was fast --try it you will like it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by ekim on August 22, 2003 at 19:05:37 PT Lehder try again please I just sent a e-mail to inquire about having Mr.Wooldridge for a guest on our cable access show. I found the site very well put together. Maybe you reached them at a busy time. All those who can --get a speaker-- to come to your Univerisity or Group Meeting or Church Club--whatever. Those wanting a change in CA. get a speaker at a fund rasier. Anyone knowing the towns that john asscoft will be at try to have speaker at a event. http://leap.cc/contact.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by FoM on August 20, 2003 at 06:43:53 PT Yippie Yi Yo Ki Ya! I agree Lehder. We should all get ten gallon hats and master a few basic crudities. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Lehder on August 20, 2003 at 06:36:27 PT LEAP Searching "Law Enforcement Against Prohibition" produced 800 links, among them the home page for LEAP that I hoped would be therehttp://www.leap.cc/but this site displays only a blank page. My thought was that the civic minded might like to drop off a copy of the web page at their local sty to help radicalize the disaffected and generally educate cops in their own language. Looks like they need some help with the web site.This statement>>"We condemn our children to grow up in a world of blood-sucking drug dealers and their free samples," he continued. "And since all profits go to criminals and terrorists, where's the upside?"gives me images of the cowboy cop mounted on his one-eyed pinto, badge sparkling , and delivering his simple-assed Texas straight talk with a twist of the lip and a tough voice. Maybe twirl a six gun and shoot the head off a sidewinder to show he means business. Yup, this kind of buffoonery will get anyone elected to any office they like. Americans love it, and the content of the statement is utterly irrelevant, just like the UN and Old Europe. It's the maverick tough guy dedicated to some incredibly stupid principle - any handy bigotry or misconception will do if held firmly enough - and who as one brave man squares off against the bad guys unafraid of the odds against him because he knows he's right. A whole class of people, unreachable by Ethan Nadelmann or Richard Cowan, are going to be influenced by this lout.We should all get ten gallon hats and master a few basic crudities. It's worked before. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by i420 on August 20, 2003 at 05:18:22 PT Thats the one FoM.. Wow you are good FoM how did you find it?? Do you use a special search engine somewhere....must be fuel injected..haha. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by E_Johnson on August 19, 2003 at 22:39:47 PT I just heard the most bizarre song On Jay Leno, Tim McGraw sang a song titled "That's why God made Mexico".So why according to this song did God make Mexico?Apparently God made Mexico so that wanted felons from America could change their names and chill while the heat died down.Gosh dang, music from the Heartland of America.This is an outlaw nation to the core I swear. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by mayan on August 19, 2003 at 18:18:51 PT TICK!-TOCK! "I sincerely believe that in eight to 10 years the baby boomers will be fully in control of government and at a minimum will end prohibition on marijuana," he said. "Enough voters will come to believe it's a waste of time for our thin blue line to be looking for pot under some kid's front seat."The powers that be know that their time is running out. That is why they did 9/11 & that is why they are breaking the states & looting social security funds. They are trying to weaken, if not totally eliminate, the middle class. However, they can only delay the inevitable because the more enlightened generations will soon take the reigns. The fascists won't go down without a fight though. They will pull another 9/11,declare martial law & attempt to round up dissidents before they lose control.The way out is the way in...9/11 CitizensWatch - Preparing Analysis of 9/11 Joint Inquiry Report: http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/archive/scoop/stories/bf/61/200308121842.146cd1c4.htmlWhite House Obstructs 9/11 Investigation: http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/archive/scoop/stories/cb/4d/200308121126.207b2cf5.html9/11 - Bush Knew: http://www.buzzflash.com/perspectives/911bush.htmlBush's 9/11 Secrets: http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0332/mondo4.phpExposing NORAD's Wag The 9/11 Window Dressing Tale: http://www.standdown.net/index.htm9/11 Prior Knowledge/Government Involvement Archive: http://www.propagandamatrix.com/archiveprior_knowledge [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on August 19, 2003 at 17:47:57 PT i420 Here's the article. It was for Banamine.http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/content/news/ap/ap_story.html/National/AP.V1580.AP-Champion-Steer-.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on August 19, 2003 at 17:43:17 PT i420 I'll look for the article. It doesn't surprise me though. Horses were always subject to drug testing when in competition. I approve of drug testing for show horses. If a horse needs drugs to mask pain then they aren't going to be safe while in an event. I don't know what drugs they were looking for in the steer but possibly steroids. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by i420 on August 19, 2003 at 17:24:52 PT FoM Can u find this article... Indiana State Fair Grand Champion steer fails drug test???? Kinda funny article considering the drug war. Nobody is safe from the WOD not even animals. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Lehder on August 19, 2003 at 17:00:35 PT Plan Gran Colombia This cop's belated enlightenment might have been of some effect in the pre-terrorism era, but he tests my patience today like a youthful and inexperienced idealist, a real space cadet. While his buddies have been out there sniffing girls' bicycle seats for thrills and dope, the drug war in the U.S. has matured into the terror war, and in Colombia - remember Plan Colombia? - it has ripened into full scale genocide. Have a glimpse into America's future of clean streets and perfect order:http://www.counterpunch.org/donahue08192003.htmlAnd what will Canada be like if this comes to America? I think if I were a young man today I might determine that the best and safest idea for me right now and for the next few years would be - brace yourself - an employee of the U.S. military. Find a decent and relatively safe job in, for example, the Coast Guard with lots of security and where you'll survive the coming pogroms and not have to make any real decisions until the blood is dried and the dust settled. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by i420 on August 19, 2003 at 16:24:41 PT Go John Wayne!! The "Duke" rides again!!!!! We need more cops on the block with balls like this that can fill a ten gallon hat. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by 13th step on August 19, 2003 at 16:12:01 PT What free samples? "We condemn our children to grow up in a world of blood-sucking drug dealers and their free samples," he continued. "And since all profits go to criminals and terrorists, where's the upside?"Where was I when this happened? I never got any free samples.... [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Motavation on August 19, 2003 at 15:28:22 PT: GIDDY UP COWBOY "This is a good cause, and I'll work on it until it's solved or until I draw my last breath," he said. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on August 19, 2003 at 14:53:36 PT Picture from Article Picture: http://gallery.magicvalley.com/images/19.cop.on.horse.gif [ Post Comment ] Post Comment