By Bill Piper
For many years now DPA has worked to delegitimize the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). We’ve fought to reduce its power and influence, make agency staff think twice about speaking out against reform, and ultimately overhaul or eliminate the DEA.
Many, many thanks to all our supporters who helped us get the head of the DEA fired. We couldn’t have done it without you!
In the past few years DPA hit the DEA hard:
-We sent numerous action alerts to supporters like you to get Obama to rein in the DEA and fire Leonhart, and asking Congress to investigate the DEA and reduce its power. This was backed up with strong, coordinated social media campaigns on Facebook and Twitter.
-We took on the DEA in the media, sending out press release and generating media every time a new DEA scandal surfaced (and getting several hard-hitting columns placed by DPA staff).
-We educated members of Congress and their staff on the DEA, Leonhart, and all the scandals (in particular helping to get tough and embarrassing questions asked during hearings).
-We released a report on the DEA’s obstruction of science and the role Leonhart played in that, which generated media and was instrumental in showing congressional offices how Leonhart is blocking sensible reform.
-We tied various scandals and other DEA related issues together for journalists, staffers, and other NGOs (we connected the dots).
Overthrowing Leonhart is just the beginning. Now the DEA must move past its old fear mongering ways, and embrace policies grounded in science, health, and human rights. Let’s urge President Obama to appoint a new chief who will do just that.
Bill Piper is the director of national affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance.
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Author: Bill Piper
Date Published: April 23, 2015
Published by Drug Policy Alliance
Via:: Ddrug Policy Alliance