LEAP is made up of current and former members of law enforcement who believe U.S. drug policies have failed in their intended goals of addressing the problems of crime, drug abuse, addiction, juvenile drug use, stopping the flow of illegal drugs into this country and the internal sale and use of illegal drugs. By fighting a war on drugs the government has increased the problems of society and made them worse. A system of regulation rather than prohibition is a less harmful, more ethical, and more effective public policy.
The mission of LEAP is (1) To educate the public, the media, and policy makers, to the failure of current drug policy by presenting a true picture of the history, causes and effects of drug abuse and the crimes related to drug prohibition; (2) To create a speakers bureau staffed with knowledgeable and articulate former drug-warriors who describe the impact of current drug policies on: police/community relations; the safety of law enforcement officers and suspects; police corruption and misconduct; and the financial and human costs associated with current drug policies; (3) To restore the public's respect for law enforcement, which has been greatly diminished by its involvement in imposing drug prohibition; (4) To reduce the multitude of harms resulting from fighting the war on drugs and to lessen the incidence of death, disease, crime, and addiction by ultimately ending drug prohibition.
In nine years LEAP grew from five founders to an international organization with over 40,000 supporters and 100 speakers based in the United States and throughout throughout the world. LEAP has an international membership that spans 87 countries, which is fitting since U.S. drug policy affects the entire world.
LEAP is the fastest growing and certainly one of the most important drug-policy-reform groups in the world. Modeled after "Vietnam Veterans Against the War" the members of LEAP also have the unassailable credibility when they call for an end to the war on drugs.
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