A Progressive Drug Czar?

by: David Sirota

Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 15:15

Under the headline "Kerlikowske Seen as a Progressive," the Seattle Post-Intelligencer gives notes that "many people, including those traditionally at odds with government policies, were cautiously optimistic about Kerlikowske." Here's some more:

He recently gave his blessing to a pilot program in drug-plagued Belltown for officers to send drug users to treatment or job centers instead of jail. He gave his support to similar programs already operating in Rainier Beach and Madison Valley.

Kerlikowske [participated in] an executive committee that oversees King County Drug Court, which dismisses charges against a defendant who completes treatment. The chief has also dedicated an officer full time to work on drug court cases.

Holcomb said Kerlikowske's officers have "demonstrated compassion" in not arresting known growers and users in medical marijuana cases...

Treatment advocates praised Kerlikowske for setting a respectful tone emulated by the rank and file toward the city's many innovative services for addicts...

The Stranger, Seattle's alternative weekly, has a good run-down of Kerlikowske's record, and it is, indeed, encouraging:

Kerlikowske, since he became chief in 2000, has been at the police department's helm while Seattle made some of the most aggressive reforms to drug enforcement allowed under federal law. He never stood in the way.

Pot arrests have plummeted under Kerlikowske's watch...

The bigger issue-and safer issue, politically-is replacing enforcement with public services. On that issue Kerlkowske has incubated a revolution. Seattle implemented two programs that get drug users off the street before they get arrested

This is really encouraging. It both cuts against Obama's penchant for appointing center-right Establishmentarians, and suggests what could be a significant shift in our failed - and idiotic - drug policies.