CONTACT: Tom Angell, LEAP – (202) 557-4979 or media@leap.cc

Cops Say Legalizing Drugs Can Boost Economy by Billions

75th Anniversary of Alcohol Prohibition’s End Inspires Modern Effort

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, December 2, a group of law enforcers who fought on the front lines of the “war on drugs” and witnessed its failures will commemorate the 75th anniversary of alcohol prohibition’s repeal by calling for drug legalization. The cops, judges and prosecutors will release a report detailing how many billions of dollars can be used to boost the ailing economy when drug prohibition is ended.

“America’s leaders had the good sense to realize that we couldn’t afford to keep enforcing the ineffective prohibition of alcohol during the Great Depression,” said Terry Nelson, a 30-year veteran federal agent and member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP). “Now, cops fighting on the front lines of today’s ‘war on drugs’ are working to make our streets safer and help solve our economic crisis by teaching lawmakers a lesson from history about the failure of prohibition. We can do it again.”

WHO: Federal agents, street cops, detectives, corrections officials and a Harvard economist

WHAT: Release of “We Can Do It Again” report on benefits of repealing drug prohibition

WHEN: Tuesday, December 2, 2008 @ 10:00 a.m. EST

WHERE: National Press Club; Zenger Room; 529 14th Street, NW; 13th Fl.; Washington, DC

***phone press conference also available at 1:30 p.m. EST***

“We Can Do It Again: Repealing Today’s Failed Prohibition,” highlights how the “war on drugs” – just like alcohol prohibition – subsidizes violent gangsters, endangers public health and diminishes public respect for the rule of law. The report also details how the newer prohibition comes with the much graver threat of international cartels and terrorists who profit from illegal drug sales. Yet, it leaves readers on a hopeful note…

“We’re starting to see an emerging consensus that drug prohibition just doesn’t make sense,” said Seattle’s retired Police Chief Norm Stamper, a LEAP member. “Three out of four Americans now say the ‘war on drugs’ has failed, and so do the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators and the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators. Now, it’s up to the new administration and Congress to follow through.”

More information about LEAP and a copy of the report will be uploaded at http://www.WeCanDoItAgain.com/