The War on Drugs - Stolen Lives

“It has become clear to me that while we fill our prisons with low-level drug offenders, the illegal drug trade, drug abuse and addiction continue in the face of the 'War on Drugs.'"

David Long

During the 1980s, David witnessed first-hand how the lives of young men and women were drastically changed as they were sentenced to decades in prison as a result of their involvement in drugs. 

Later, as a professor of criminal justice and legal studies, David became convinced that the “War on Drugs” is an unsound policy and is, in fact, doing great harm to our society in many ways. As a professor, David began to notice and conduct research into how our nation’s drug policies lead to prison overcrowding and a disconnect in our social priorities. His research is what led him to LEAP. “It has become clear to me that while we fill our prisons with low-level drug offenders, the illegal drug trade, drug abuse and addiction continue in the face of the “War on Drugs.” Until drugs are legalized and addiction and abuse are treated first and foremost as public health issues, the nation will face continuing problems resulting from overcrowded criminal dockets, overcrowded prisons, deaths as a result of drug overdosing, street violence, the spread of