I just now received an email from the Drug Policy Alliance requesting that I write a note to President-elect Obama in regards to who he chooses to be his drug czar. Below is a sample of my letter (based on the suggestions of the DPA). Feel free to copy it, augment it, or use it for fodder to create your own custom made letter and please send it to Barak Obama via his new website: www.change.gov.
You make a difference. The more proactive you are, the bigger your impact. Please take a moment to send a letter like the one I wrote below and send it to Barak Obama’s new website Change.gov:
Sample Letter to Obama Regarding Drug Reform
Dear President-elect Obama,
Please choose a drug czar who will champion reform. This is a very important step in delivering the change you and I and a majority of our great nation and the world so obviously desire… and need!
It’s easy to understand why you are considering to nominate Republican Congressman James Ramstad to be your “drug czar”. Rep. Ramstad is in recovery from alcohol abuse and has a track record in support of increasing access to drug treatment. However, Ramstad is still mostly married to the failed punitive drug war policies of the last 30 thirty years. This is a no-brainer.
These failed policies need to change. We must do something different. As you yourself have so boldly stated: “Doing the same things over and over again and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity”. We must do things differently in drug reform in order for profound change to occur. I know that you know this deep in your obviously good heart.
Ramstad has voted against medical marijuana five times. He has voted against making sterile syringes more available to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS three times. Even though his colleagues are increasingly supporting sentencing reform, including eliminating the crack/powder sentencing disparity, he hasn’t stood up on the issue. Perhaps Ramstad is not the right choice.
Our nation’s next drug czar should be chosen based on the following criteria:
- Are they committed to enacting and supporting evidence-based policies? ONDCP should make decisions based on science, not politics or ideology.
- Are they committed to reducing the harms associated with both drugs and punitive drug laws? We need a new bottom line for U.S. drug policy.
- Do they think drug use should be treated as a health issue not a criminal justice issue? To paraphrase former Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke, we need a surgeon general not a military general or police officer.
- Do they welcome and encourage debate and research? We need a drug czar who is open-minded and willing to consider every alternative.
- Are they committed to reducing the number of nonviolent offenders behind bars? Our country’s next drug czar should be fully committed to major sentencing reform.
President-elect Obama, who you choose as your drug czar will affect everyone. Please nominate a drug czar who supports marijuana law reform, syringe availability and treatment instead of incarceration.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Best regards and best of luck,
Your Name
