Law Enforcement Calls Suggestions That They Support Legalizing Drugs Absurd
Immediate Release
(San Francisco, California 2/5/08) - Law enforcement officers and organizations from across North America are questioning assertions made at Beyond 2008, a forum of non-governmental organizations being held this week in Vancouver. “Claims made by Jack Cole and his organization, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, that law enforcement officers are against fighting drug abuse and are for the legalization of drugs fly in the face of reality,” said Ron Brooks, President of the National Narcotic Officers’ Association Coalition.
“We know that drug addiction has a death toll exceeding 30,000 people per year for drug overdoses alone and costs the U.S. more than 180 billion dollars a year. This doesn’t even include DUIs, kids lives that are ruined, teenage pregnancies, neglected and abused children and other societal ills caused by drugs. Drug abuse constitutes domestic terrorism, and it is completely irresponsible for anyone to support the legalization of dangerous drugs,” concluded Brooks.
Either by resolution or position statement, law enforcement organizations throughout the U.S. are opposed to the legalization of drugs and include the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations Coalition that represents more than 70,000 narcotic officers, the National Sheriff’s Association that represents 21,000 officers and more than 2,000 elected sheriffs, and the National Association of Drug Court Professionals that represents 5,000 drug court judges and practitioners.
“Our organization and many others stand against any tactic that leads to societal acceptance of drug use such as needle giveaway programs and injection sites. These are merely strategies being used to dilute sound drug policy, similar to the legalization of drugs and so-called medicinal marijuana,” said Bob Bushman, Vice President of the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations Coalition. “I recently attended the Beyond 2008 North American Forum held in St. Petersburg, FL and was gratified at the support shown to law enforcement and to the UN Conventions against drugs.”
The Vancouver meeting has highlighted outrageous programs that have facilitated drug use and put Canadian citizens at risk. These programs have resulted in some alarming statistics. According to coroner’s reports, Canada has experienced an increase in drug overdoses since injection sites have been open. Additionally, a study presented at the 17th International Conference on the Reduction of Drug Related Harm in 2006 found that since these shooting galleries have opened, the number of addicts admitted to one particular inner-city hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia, for serious needle-related infections has been steadily increasing. The same study also found that addicts now account for 18,000 to 20,000 days at this hospital per year.
However, encouraging developments in Canada were highlighted by another attendee at the officially recognized Beyond 2008 North American Forum in St. Petersburg. Ben Jenkins, President of Drug Prevention Network of Canada said, “Canada's new national drug strategy, with its renewed focus on prevention and treatment, is an encouraging sign of times to come. The DPNC is very optimistic that Canada will soon be leading the way internationally with an effective approach while assisting to address the substance abuse issue throughout the world. It was refreshing to see so many organizations agree on drug policy.”
To set up an interview about this issue with Ron Brooks please contact John Pastuovic at 630-782-0795 – office 312-925-9092 – cell.