Has the War on Drugs Been a Success or Failure in the US?

Determine the answer for yourself next month at a debate hosted by Liberty on the Rocks titled, “Examining the War on Drugs 40-Years Later: Is it Worth the Cost?”

When: Friday, June 17 from 6:30-9PM
Where: Denver Open Media, 700 Kalamath Street in Denver
What: Cocktail Reception/Appetizers & Debate

Friday, June 17, 2011 marks the 40th anniversary of President Richard Nixon’s official declaration of the “war on drugs”, when he identified drug abuse as “public enemy number 1 in the United States”. Since that time we have seen victories and failures in our quest to lessen drug abuse in America, but it cannot be argued that we do not still have many problems today regarding this issue. With violence constantly erupting on our southern border, hundreds of thousands of individuals in jail for non-violent drug offenses, and millions more users throughout the country, it is clear that the use and abuse of drugs in the United States has persisted over time. The question that we must now determine is, where do we go from here? To answer that question, we must first consider our strategies for dealing with our nation’s drug problem.  Is the government-led drug war an effectual means of lessening drug abuse and violence, or is it time to consider an alternative approach?

To discuss this important topic, we will be joined by four speakers for this event:

Jessica Peck Corry: Jessica Corry is a Denver-based attorney, public policy analyst, and political strategist. She has been named a “PR force to be reckoned with” by the Westword, one of Colorado’s top political “Movers and Shakers” by the Colorado Statesman, and has been highlighted as one of Colorado’s most influential women by the Denver Examiner. A self-described libertarian conservative, Jessica’s legal and political efforts have been featured by media across Colorado and around the globe, with highlights including the Wall Street Journal, the Times of London, Washington Post, Rolling Stone, L.A. Times, CNN, USA Today, PBS, NPR, MTV’s “Choose or Lose” series, MSNBC and FOX News.

District Attorney Carol Chambers: District Attorney Carol Chambers is the chief law enforcement officer in the 18th Judicial District, serving Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln Counties.

David K. Williams: Mr. Williams is co-founder and Executive Director of the Gadsden Society, a non-partisan, non-profit, public advocacy group that fights for the preservation and expansion of individual liberty throughout Colorado, and is also former State Chair of the Libertarian Party of Colorado. Dave attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he obtained his B.A. in Economics in 1989, as well as the University of North Carolina School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor, with honors, in 1992. Mr. Williams currently runs his own law firm, The Williams Law Office, P.C.

TBD: Our fourth speaker will be announced shortly. Please stay tuned!

This event is free of charge and appetizers will be provided to guests. We will also have a cash bar. Limited space is available, please RSVP to [email protected].

Liberty on the Rocks would like to provide special thanks to the Drug Policy Alliance, who has helped make this event possible.

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