“New Jersey legislators are considering a proposal to require involuntary commitment for any overdose survivors revived by law enforcement.” filtermag.org/new-jersey-i...

Will you be our next valued team member? We’re looking for a new member of staff who’ll take on the role of ‘Development Marketing & Donor Engagement Associate’ Please see more here: bit.ly/WorkWithLEAP

“The Maryland Department of Health has scrubbed any mention of “harm reduction” from the state’s leading grant program for organizations that provide care to people…” filtermag.org/maryland-scr...

‘Partners Announced for Texas Ibogaine Research Consortium Funding’ www.lucid.news/partners-ann...

“As chief of police, my responsibility is to ensure that Minneapolis residents feel safe enough to seek help when they need it, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, or skin color.“ thehill-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/thehill....

“Law enforcement policy should always be about using the least amount of force and preserving people’s lives…” You’ll be aware of the tragic incident in Minneapolis, LEAP’s ED Lt Diane Goldstein (Ret.) was invited to speak to USA TODAY about the impacts. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

‘Do supervised consumption sites bring increased crime? Study suggests that’s a myth’ Important article which looks at new data, confirming what many people who are on the ground already know… safe sites = safer communities for all. www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/cha...

An historical look at the ‘War on Drugs’ and how it looks in conjunction with today’s picture. What can we learn from the past? What better ways are there for us all? reason.com/2025/12/26/f...

“As law enforcement professionals, we know public safety depends on trust and cooperation. Allowing immigration enforcement in places like schools, hospitals, and houses of worship destroys that trust, making it harder for us to keep communities safe,” fairandjustprosecution.org/press-releas...

We voice concerns over the recent developments and ‘classification’.

Fentanyl is being declared as a “weapon of mass destruction”. No one denies the sheer impact of this substance on society, many of us have seen the effects firsthand, but we have to be mindful and dutiful in our approach. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

New York Times: ‘Stephen Downing, Police Officer Who Wrote for TV, Dies at 87’ “While serving in the L.A.P.D., he began delivering scripts for series like “Dragnet” and “Adam-12.” After retiring, he was a showrunner for “MacGyver.”” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/a...

“New Jersey legislators are considering a proposal to require involuntary commitment for any overdose survivors revived by law enforcement.” filtermag.org/new-jersey-i...

‘Why Member States must rebalance the EU drug strategy – before it’s too late’ via @idpc.net idpc.net/blog/2025/12...

“Taken together, there is no justification under either international human rights law, the correct legal framework, or the law of armed conflict, the wrong one, to target the boats or the people on board.” www.justsecurity.org/126553/opera...

We had such a wonderful conversation with Jaret from Bowling for Soup about his role on the board member of the fantastic organization Punk Rock Saves Lives. Listen to this episode of Stop and Search in full: pod.fo/e/35624b

‘The New Federal Hemp Ban Is An Opportunity To Legalize Cannabis Across The Board’ (Op-Ed) www.marijuanamoment.net/the-new-fede...

‘US attacks in Caribbean and Pacific violate international human rights law – UN Human Rights Chief’ www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...

My latest co-authored pice with Major Neill Franklin of @policeforreform.bsky.social ‘The administration’s war on drugs is turning out to be worse than the first one’ “The administration attacking boats in the Caribbean is a costly distraction…” msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...

‘Pittsburgh Public Safety redesigns program that sends social workers to emergency scenes’ “Public safety is more than showing up to a scene with a badge and gun” - Former Police Chief Tom Thompson, LEAP Speaker. www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

Military action intensifies: ‘US kills 14 in strikes on four alleged drug boats in Pacific’ www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

‘The traffickers are winning the war on drugs’ “New decentralised networks are even harder to disrupt than the hierarchical gangs they have replaced” www.economist.com/briefing/202...

“The strikes have drawn condemnation in the region and experts have questioned their legality. Members of the US Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, have also raised concerns…” www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

‘Locking up moms destabilizes families and doesn’t make us safer’ “As a retired police officer… …I have also seen that the current system isn’t built to hold them accountable effectively.” thehill.com/opinion/crim...

‘Oregon Trying to Dodge Lawsuit on Dying Patients’ Psilocybin Access’ “A legal battle between the state of Oregon and a group of psilocybin facilitators has escalated, after the state sought for a second time to get their lawsuit thrown out.” filtermag.org/oregon-psilo...

‘US kills 6 people in strike on boat accused of carrying drugs near Venezuela’ More escalation in military tactics in the field of drug policy. apnews.com/article/trum...

Thursday 16th October, join special guests and panel discussions, music , networking and more. LEAP’s Executive Director Diane Goldstein will be moderating a panel, so shall we see you there? Ticket info: events.farechild.com/event/68a7bf...

We’re certainly lucky here at LEAP to be directed by such a diverse and talented board. We’d like you to meet Nadine, someone who’s got a great deal to give to the community and social justice field. Read her full interview: medium.com/authority-ma...

Some fascinating polling on the attitudes and responsibilities of our homelessness problems: ‘Many believe poverty and homelessness are increasing and feel the government has a responsibility to address the issues’ apnorc.org/projects/man...

Let’s start the week on a heartening note. We need to address the root causes of homelessness. But, what can we all do to help? Here’s a story of a retired police officer who provides a mobile laundry service for those experiencing homelessness. www.wctv.tv/2025/10/03/f...

‘The Limited-Government Case for Community Violence Intervention’ “…community violence intervention (CVI), treats violence as a public health problem—a contagion that can be diagnosed, treated, and hopefully stopped.” www.rstreet.org/commentary/t...

‘More than a third of ICE detainees have no criminal record, data shows’ www.baltimoresun.com/2025/10/02/i...

Happy MacGyver Day! One of LEAP’s founders, Stephen Downing, was part of the MacGyver journey. He was a producer and adviser to the show. Stephen explains more about this seminal TV show in his latest post: stephendowning.substack.com/p/forty-year...

A lot of talk at the UN recently, and here’s some news you may have missed: ‘US war on “narco-terrorists” violates the right to life, warn UN experts after deadly vessel strike’ www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...

‘Where did the money go? Baltimore pledges transparency in possible $500M opioid settlement.’ www.baltimoresun.com/2025/09/20/b...

We’re proud to announce the launch of an innovative project! A first-of-its-kind interactive map which details the progress of community responders. Community responder programs are taking place across the U.S. and changing law enforcement as we know it: bit.ly/LEAP-CRP

Interesting look at the building of prisons and how new super-sized penitentiaries are popping up. The penal system affects us all. It’s getting increasingly easier to go into prison, and ever harder to fully exit the system. boltsmag.org/arkansas-pri... @laurengill.bsky.social

‘Los Angeles County Jails on Track to Set a Tragic New Record’ Twenty-six people have died in LA County jails in 2025, the second-most deaths to date of any year on record. 103 have died since the start of 2023 www.vera.org/news/los-ang...

“I saw firsthand how fragile public trust can be, and how essential it is for effective crime prevention and deterrence. When law enforcement is perceived as an illegitimate or oppositional force, the public turns away.” - Major Franklin (Ret.), LEAP Speaker. www.baltimoresun.com/2025/09/14/t...

A great many organizations & individuals are extremely concerned about the impact of, what amounts to, criminalization of homelessness. We need longterm solutions, and let’s remember, homelessness can affect us all, let’s not pretend there’s an immunity. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Listen to our Executive Director @dianemgoldstein.bsky.social as she guests on Matenaer On Air to talk about an array of things, such as cashless bail and the benefits of such a system, not to mention how this issue has become a ‘political hot potato’. Listen via: civicmedia.us/shows/matena...

‘Police Departments Lower Education Standards Due to Staff Shortages’ “From Dallas to New York, departments are easing or ending college degree expectations hoping to broaden their recruitment pool.” www.governing.com/workforce/po...

Big movement, 177 organizations sign an open letter to the Director-General of World Health Organization (WHO), calling for continued practice around harm reduction and health-based approaches. Read in full: bit.ly/45O9oPw

‘Cities Move Away From Strategies That Make Drug Use Safer’ “San Francisco, Philadelphia and others are retreating from “harm reduction” strategies that have helped reduce deaths…” www.nytimes.com/2025/08/25/h...

“People who use alcohol have consumer rights. They are not subject to institutionalized stigma and discrimination, and can openly seek evidence-based health education and support…” ‘Overdoses Should Be Termed “Prohibition-Related Deaths”’ filtermag.org/overdose-pro... @filtermag.bsky.social

A stark reminder that this issue affects every level of society. ‘California district attorney resigns after ex-client says he sold him meth for years’ www.sfgate.com/bayarea/arti...

‘Fear-mongering about immigrants undermines police and makes us all less safe’ “Most people in law enforcement believe deeply in protecting their communities. And that means every part of their communities.” - Diane Goldstein, LEAP Executive Director. www.ocregister.com/2025/08/04/f...

‘Unmarked Cars and Masked Agents Create Bigger Risks in D.C., Advocates Say’ We’re quoted in this article which highlights the risk to communities that we’re currently witnessing. www.notus.org/trump-white-...

‘Did Oregon’s Drug Decriminalization Increase Crime or Overdoses?’ “Analysts and commentators should avoid automatically blaming decriminalization when crime or overdoses increase and instead examine the broader context carefully” www.cato.org/blog/did-ore...

Richard Lee -A Celebration of Life and Legacy. So many organizations and people will honor Richard, and to remember his life and impact. Click the link for full details and to share memories. oaksterdam.com/richard-lee-...