LEAP

The traffickers are winning the war on drugs New decentralised networks are even harder to disrupt than the hierarchical gangs they have replaced

‘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...

US kills 14 in strikes on four alleged drug boats - BBC News Mexico's navy is searching for the sole survivor of the latest attack on boats the US says were carrying drugs in both the Pacific and Caribbean.

“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 Plaintiffs say excluding disabled and homebound people from psilocybin services violates the ADA. OHA again seeks to get the case dismissed.

‘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...

“You’re at the Table for a Reason”: Nadine Jones on Values-Driven Leadership, Community Healing and… …Are you the kind of neighbor where, if someone knocks on your door and says, “I’m in the middle of a recipe, I’m short on sugar, can you…

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...

“About 3 in 4 adults believe the federal government as well as state and local governments have at least a moderate amount of responsibility to address poverty and homelessness, including majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and independents”

Many believe poverty and homelessness are increasing and feel the government has a responsibility to address the issues - AP-NORC The public recognizes there are multiple causes of poverty and homelessness, and many say personal choices are a key contributor.

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...

Former police officer spends retirement providing mobile laundry for people facing homelessness A retired Maryland police officer is giving back with a mobile laundry service for people experiencing homelessness.

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 - R Street Institute Disclaimer: This research was funded in part by The Annie E. Casey Foundation and the R Street Institute. We thank them for their support; however, the findings and conclusions presented in this repor...

‘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 More than a third of immigrants detained by ICE have no criminal record, raising concerns from advocates who say enforcement is targeting working-class communities rather than criminals.

‘More than a third of ICE detainees have no criminal record, data shows’

www.baltimoresun.com/2025/10/02/i...

Forty Years of MacGyver: The Hero Who Refused the Gun How a television series, a remarkable team, and one extraordinary actor changed the way America saw its heroes

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...

US war on “narco-terrorists” violates the right to life, warn UN experts after deadly vessel strike GENEVA – UN experts* today condemned the extrajudicial execution by the United States of 11 people when it sank a civilian vessel in the Caribbean Sea on 2 September 2025, and three people on another ...

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. Baltimore is planning how to spend millions from opioid settlements, including on safe consumption sites, while other jurisdictions show such funds can reduce overdoses.

‘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

The Prison Next Door - Bolts How Arkansas’ secretive plan for a new state lockup angered residents in a deep red corner of rural America—and changed how some see incarceration.

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.

‘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...

Trump threatens Baltimore with failed public safety playbook | GUEST COMMENTARY Donald Trump’s show-of-force approach to crime is the wrong path, writes retired Maryland State Police officer Neill Franklin.

“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...

How Trump’s executive order could criminalize homelessness: ‘Terrifying’ Broad language could allow cities to lock up unhoused people as aid is cut and housing costs soar, experts warn

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...

“It’s trying to fix the problem assuming that the way things work now is the way things are supposed to be,” said Jim Nolan, a sociology professor at West Virginia University and a speaker with the nonprofit Law Enforcement Action Partnership.”

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.

‘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

‘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...

Overdoses Should Be Termed “Prohibition-Related Deaths” Major drivers of overdose fatalities have little to do with drugs and everything to do with our drug laws.

“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

Calif. district attorney resigns after ex-client says he sold him meth for years The district attorney allegedly bought meth "40 or 50 times" from a former client.

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 Police may not be perfect, but their commitment to the mission deserves respect, not baseless narratives that distort the truth for political gain.

‘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 “How do you get accountability if you don't know who someone is, what agency they work with?” said one advocate.

‘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? —Separating Short-term Spikes from Long-term Trends Analysts and commentators should avoid automatically blaming decriminalization when crime or overdoses increase and instead examine the broader context carefully.

‘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...