LEAP encourages drug policy change Mjr.

Neill Franklin discusses negative effects of drug prohibition Students form personal perspectives on drug policies
Cpl. Ed Toatly lost his life in a brutal assassination. After months serving undercover, a fellow coworker says the loving husband, loyal father and determined state trooper failed in his final attempt to unveil a dangerous drug dealer in nearby Tacoma Park, Md. Angela Dawson, a devoted mother of five, lived in constant despair; she feared drug trafficking and associated violence within her neighborhood. After several meetings with the police, an investigated drug dealer set her home on fire and killed the seven people sleeping inside. Both of these people share one commonality: they are victims of drug prohibition.

A chilling silence engulfed the 80-person crowd in the Benjamin Benneker Room in Adelle H. Stamp Student Union on Oct. 22. Maj. Neill Franklin of Law Enforcement Against

LEAPs motto displays motives for ending prohibition. Photo source: www.leap.cc

Prohibition (LEAP) discussed the negative effects of prohibition and the war on drugs. LEAP is an international organization of criminal justice professionals who examine our current drug policies. LEAP challenges prohibition and offers a replacement method disguised to cripple street dealers and limit violence within the illegal market. (more)

LEAP encourages drug policy change, p.2 National effects Prohibition is a costly act. Franklin says, police made 2.3 million drug-related arrests in the United States last year, costing tax payers nearly $1.3 trillion. The choice to use, manufacture or sell illegal drugs is a personal decision; however, the current drug policies impact many. These arrests affect everyone, not just users, Franklin said. Once arrested, U.S. taxpayers must front the bill for incarceration, meals and employees: funds that could be used by the government to improve health care or our childrens education. Prohibition, however, has a much larger negative impact than increasing our national debt. Police have lost focus, Franklin said. They spend so much time enforcing drug-related laws that they forget to enforce the others. Franklin says prohibition intensifies crime, as the following remain unsolved: 40 percent of murders 60 percent of rape cases 75 percent of robberies Police have lost focus. They spend so much time enforcing drug-related laws that they forget to enforce the others. -Mjr. Neill Franklin

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LEAP encourages drug policy change, p.3 University impact The negative effects of prohibition affect student perspective as well. Sarah Bontelli, junior education major, said illegal drug use is inevitable; we can, however, alter the rate of associated violence. I have lived in College Park for three years, and I am still terrified to walk around by myself, she said. I have to worry about being caught in a drug deal or mugged by an addict. Other students question the reliability of drug dealers in College Park. Criminals produce unsafe drugs because the government limits available resources, said Megan Armstrong, a sophomore government and politics major. If we continue to regulate and control dealers, than those who use drugs will be at constant risk. Necessary repeal A change in the U.S. drug policy might seem extreme, but Katie Bonilla, a sophomore accounting major, considers revision necessary to limit violence. There is a solution for preventing tragedy and nothing is being done because of ignorance and fear, she said. Someone needs to take a stand. After all, we live in the land of the free. ###

LEAP argues against drug prohibition Law Enforcers Against Prohibition supports policy revision
Police incarcerate more than 2.3 million U.S. citizens for drug-related charges each year. Combined costs of prohibition total close to $70 billion, a statistic directly impacting university students graduating within the next four years. Drug use is inevitable among young teens; however, local police officials say that we need to stop the violence associated with U.S. policies. Law Enforcers Against Prohibition (LEAP) is an organization of current and former members of the criminal justice community that strives to educate the public about the failures of the existing drug policies. LEAP provides 10 reasons to end drug prohibition. Police aim to decrease the following: 1) Disease 2) Crime 3) Addiction 4) Death 5) Corruption 6) Juvenile use 7) Police distraction 8) Police detachment 9) Criminal funding 10) Economic crisis

In an effort to restore regulation and control of illegal substances, LEAP offers a replacement system that would be less costly and inhibit violence among users, makers, and innocent bystanders. More information can be found at www.leap.cc (more)

LEAP argues against drug prohibition, p.2 Spearheading a campaign that calls for an end to drug prohibition, Mjr. Neill Franklin encourages students impacted by drug use to expel current policies and embrace LEAPs more effective public policy. Franklin suggests involvement in Norml, a university organization focused on drug reform. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/RfG3Eu. ###

LEAP presents issues of drug prohibition UMD Students to discuss illicit drug policies
Law Enforcers Against Prohibition will educate students about the negative effects of illicit drug use and the failed U.S. drug policies. Mjr. Neill Franklin will present for university students 7-9 p.m., Monday, Oct. 22, in the Benjamin Benneker Room B in STAMP Student Union. Liaison to LEAP speakers, Tom Angell, will accept further questions at media@leap.cc or visit www.leap.cc for more information. ###

Tweets Before: Cops want to legalize drugs. Come to STAMP tonight at 7 to learn why #LawEnforcementAgainstProhibition During: Maj. Neill Franklin is truly inspiring. We must stop #prohibition After: Please join #LEAP and its fight to end the violence of #prohibition www.leap.cc ###