Ramstad as Drug Czar? Drug Policy Alliance says, "not so fast!"

by Bill Piper
Director, National Affairs
Drug Policy Alliance

According to news reports, President-elect Obama is considering nominating Republican Congressman Jim Ramstad (R-MN) to be the next director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) or "drug czar." That would be a mistake. In a sign-on letter to Obama released today by the Drug Policy Alliance, more than three dozen health, criminal justice and treatment organizations express concern that Ramstad has a long history of opposing syringe exchange programs, medical marijuana and other important public health policies. This is, no doubt, only the beginning. To see the "sign-on letter" click here. [pdf]
 
Obama has perhaps a once-in-a-generation opportunity to set U.S. drug policy on a new track. With nearly 30,000 Americans contracting HIV/AIDS or hepatitis C each year from injection drug use, and more than 500,000 Americans behind bars for a nonviolent drug law offense, our nation desperately needs a coherent and compassionate national drug policy that reduces the problems associated with both drugs and punitive drug policies. Let's hope and pray that Obama picks the right person to be drug czar. He should reject Ramstad and begin a new search.
 
A good drug czar should meet at least the following criteria:
 
S/he is committed to enacting and supporting evidence-based policies like syringe exchange programs.
S/he is committed to reducing the harms associated with both drugs and drug prohibition.
S/he thinks drug use should be treated as a health issue not a criminal justice issue.
4. S/he welcomes and encourages debate and research. We need a Drug Czar who is open-minded and willing to consider every alternative.
5. S/he is committed to reducing the number of nonviolent offenders behind bars.
 
Ramstad doesn't meet the criteria, but there are others who do.