Posted March 6th, 2010 by hiwayhowie
The Drug Enforcement Administration reports in 2009, “Drugs are readily available to America’s youth.” As my colleagues Sheriff Jerry Modena and Police Chief Mike Burns come together to form a drug task force, taxpayers need to know that all the arrests the task force makes will be without meaning. All of us in law enforcement know that an arrested drug dealer is quickly replaced, usually within days. The real victims are the taxpayers.
Want to make every drug dealer in Georgia disappear? Repeal drug prohibition — legalize/regulate and tax the heck out of the drugs.
Howard Wooldridge
Albany
Published on March 4, 2010 in the Macon Telegraph
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n158/a09.html?397
Posted March 6th, 2010 by hiwayhowie
I am writing in response to Sarah Reyes’ column, “Heads vs. Feds lights fresh debate.” As a police officer who worked the trenches of marijuana prohibition and the war on drugs for 18 years, I believe intoxicants should not be judged by their effects, but by their threat to the community. During my entire police career, I was sent on zero calls generated by the use of marijuana. Compared to the extremely dangerous drug, alcohol, I found very little harm associated with marijuana.
The police should return to their historic role of public safety, not personal safety. If you have a drug problem, see a doctor and a clinic – not a cop and a jail.
Howard Wooldridge detective/officer ( retired ) drug policy specialist Citizens Opposing Prohibition
Published on March 1, 2010 in the The Daily Evergreen, (Washington State U)
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n158/a04.html?397
Posted February 28th, 2010 by hiwayhowie
COPs on the Hill
Stories from the week of February 26, 2010
Back in the Trenches: This was a ‘normal’ week After all the energy and frenzied* pace of CPAC last week, it was pleasant to just attend several meetings (one on the Webb bill), write an oped and do 18 presentations on Thursday and Friday.
One Step Forward: Waiting for the elevator in Longworth, I noticed a Congressman walking down the hall with whom I had had a good chat at CPAC. As he approached a few yards to my left, he spotted me, changed direction and came over to say hi and shake my hand. He remarked how I had ‘cleaned up’ from the CPAC t-shirt. It was a first for having a Member of Congress go out of their way to say hi to me. And it only took four years! LOL
One Step Back: Stepping into my 10th office on Thursday, the Congressman was just coming out of his office. He stopped to shake my hand and asked what his office could do. We ended up chatting for 90 seconds after I told him I was the police voice on the Hill in opposition to the War on Drugs. He closed the chat by saying, “Raymond Kelly is the man I listen to on that issue.”
On the train home a friend and advisor stated that Kelly was the police commissioner of New York City. Kelly has been pushing for ever more simple possession marijuana arrests in the Big Apple.
Your COP donations at work: Since last August, COPs has made: (this will be a regular part of every newsletter)
267 presentations to Congressional Staffers
5 presentations to VIPs (elected officials)
27 published Letters to the Editor (that we know of)
Numerous conferences, hearings & briefings attended. C-Span broadcast my question at a Senate briefing
5 radio gigs
Two TV interviews (Colombian TV) & Fox
*frenzied =wahnsinnig
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.
Thank you,
Howard
Modern Prohibition/The War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional & immoral domestic policy since slavery & Jim Crow.
Posted February 27th, 2010 by hiwayhowie
Pot is a Distraction: published on February 18, 2010 in the Free Lance-Star, Fredericksbury, VA
As a retired police detective, I certainly agree with Richard Moter’s thoughtful letter [“Legalization of marijuana is no joke,” Feb. 12].
Every hour we chase the Michael Phelpses and the Willie Nelsons of the Commonwealth (of Virginia), we have less time for the deadly reckless and DUI drivers, and less time for catching child molesters and other public safety threats.
My profession needs to return to its original purpose: public safety.
If you have a problem with marijuana, alcohol, or cigarettes, see a doctor for treatment. The Thin Blue Line has much more important tasks.
Howard Wooldridge
Washington
Posted February 24th, 2010 by hiwayhowie
COPs on the Hill
Stories from the week of February 19, 2010
CPAC – A Love Fest: The annual Conservative Political Action Conference (essentially 10,000 rabid* conservatives & Libertarians) met for three long days this week. Wearing my COPs t-shirt over my dress shirt and tie, I had about 120 conversations (average audience was 4), passed out 250 business cards and received 101 times “love the shirt.” Only 3 people said my position was wrong. What a change from my first CPAC in 2006, when people were nearly spitting on me.
Want to be on Fox News?: Standing and chatting in the main hall on the first morning, a producer for Fox News walked up, engaged me in a small chat and then asked if I had time at 11AM to be on Fox TV. Two hours later I was on their national broadcast for about 12 minutes. The reporter asked solid questions, even as he remained agnostic in his tone.* The producer said he was happy with the interview and will keep my info on file. Good start to the conference!
“Yes, I will vote for that bill.” The first seminar I attended was on the 10th Amendment (essentially States Rights – all powers not granted the feds are reserved to the States or the People). The panel included Congressman Rob Bishop (R- UT). I was able to ask a question directed at the Congressman. ‘Based on your strong belief in freedom and support for the 10th amendment, will support a bill this year in Congress to repeal federal prohibition of marijuana? Will you allow the States to choose their own path?’
Mr. Bishop, a social studies teacher for 28 years, said marijuana was bad for many reasons and that he had never supported legalizing it. He continued, ‘However, I will vote yes for that bill.’ Later an employee of the RNC (Republican National Committee) congratulated me on the question and the positive answer. Later I asked another R Congressman with whom I have a small relationship the same question. ‘I am not there,,,yet.’ I had a sip of Crown Royal that night. Small steps.
Only took 6 months: You can now join cops and donate via your credit card and Paypal on the website. Please don’t ask why it took so long. L Shirts seen below are now for sale. You pick your logo or you can have your name on the shirt “Gene says….” J COPs has raised exactly 20,000 in its first 6 months. Thank you. I hope to draw a small salary later this year.
*rabid = verrückte
*agnostic in tone = neutral
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.
Thank you,
Howard
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.
