Richmond, Virginia Police Chief Calls for New Drug Policies
drcnet.org
In a Sunday op-ed in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Richmond Police
Chief Jerry Oliver joined the growing chorus of drug war critics
in law enforcement.
His piece, entitled "Police Pay Too: Nation's War on Drugs Exacts
a Terrible Price," explored how attempts to enforce laws against
consensual activities, such as drug buying and selling, are
damaging law enforcement.
Oliver pointed out that law enforcers put "our credibility at
risk when police stoop to snooping on fellow Americans over
drugs."
Writing that current drug policy "is failing and the trajectory
continues downward," Oliver bemoaned the billions spent on drug
law enforcement. "These billions might be better spent on demand
reduction, prevention, treatment, education, community-building,
and supporting families," he wrote.
The Richmond police chief also denounced the "business" of drug
crime incarceration, and made a clarion call for the adoption of
a harm reduction approach to drug policy.
The op-ed is well worth reading in its entirety, both as a well-
written and heartfelt cry for change, and as an article
documenting the attitudinal shifts afoot in the land, now
reaching the upper ranks of law enforcement. Visit
timesdispatch.com to
read Chief Oliver's op-ed online. |
