For IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 27, 2006

While LEAP is in sympathy with millions of people who have their lives damaged or destroyed by the failed policy of drug prohibition, LEAP in no way endorses the violation of the law, or any efforts to frustrate the hard work of those sworn to uphold the law.

When former police officer Barry Cooper was accepted as a LEAP speaker, the Executive Director and most Board members of LEAP were not aware of the fact that Mr. Cooper was planning to distribute a for-profit DVD titled, "Never Get Busted Again". On learning of the sale of the DVDs, LEAP, which is an international nonprofit educational organization, held a board meeting where it was decided that LEAP cannot in any way be associated with this enterprise.

An excerpt from a document sent to each prospective speaker explains the following requirements for LEAP speakers:

LEAP relies on the credibility of its speakers in everything we do and every bit of progress we make. Because our organization would be nothing without that credibility, we require that our members always appear professional, well dressed, neatly groomed, and free from the influence of any intoxicants while representing LEAP. We will be watched closely by everyone so we must maintain the highest standards as far as obeying the laws and standards of morality of the countries in which we make LEAP presentations. We must not be late for any speaking engagements and must not use those engagements as platforms to espouse any personal views other than those relating to drug-policy.

Our speakers don't earn a salary for the many hours they put in to educate the public about LEAP's goals of ending drug prohibition. We have worked for four years to build our reputation based on ethics and integrity. The only reason people listen to us is because they believe we are unbiased and present the truth about the war on drugs. Much of that belief is based on the fact that we are not a moneymaking organization.

LEAP feels that Mr. Cooper could not speak for LEAP without his product automatically being associated with us. We cannot have that so we are no longer listing Barry Cooper as a LEAP speaker.

LEAP Office:

Release date: December 27, 2006
LEAP does not endorse "Never Get Busted Again"