EX-COP RIDING ACROSS NATION TO STAMP OUT DRUG LAWS

PAW PAW - "Cops say legalize drugs. Ask me why," reads the message on
a T-shirt being worn by an unlikely advocate for drug law reform,
former Bath and DeWitt Township, MI, police officer, Howard Wooldridge.

Wooldridge, a member of the organization, Law Enforcement Against
Prohibition, is riding his horse, Misty, across the country this
summer spreading the group's message that drug abuse is bad, but
prohibition makes the problem worse.

Wooldridge passed through Van Buren County this week, riding Misty
along Red Arrow Highway. He began his ride March 4 in Hermosa Beach,
Calif., and plans to finish in New York City around Oct 1. Along the
way, Wooldridge is voicing his opinion that the current law
enforcement "war on drugs" is a catastrophe, and that legalizing drug
use could be the answer to illegal trafficking. "Drug prohibition is
costing this nation in excess of $70 billion annually. That is money
that could be spent on schools, roads, protecting the public from
violent criminals," says Wooldridge. He feels that prohibition
actually takes control out of the hands of government and gives it to
the criminals.

"Today's "war on drugs" is driving crime, not reducing it," according
to Wooldridge.

To those who say that legalizing drugs would increase their
availability and send the wrong message to children, Wooldridge
responds, "Drugs are already widely available. Anyone who wants them
can find them easily... Drugs today are cheaper, more potent and more
plentiful than ever before."

"Drug prohibition has been a failure. Ask any teenager, what is
easier for he or she to buy - alcohol, tobacco or marijuana?
Invariably, the answer will be marijuana. Why? Because to buy alcohol
or tobacco the teen has to go to a licensed, reputable business,
where the clerk is going to ask to see ID. All the drug dealer wants
to see is the money."

"Children are not stupid. They understand that just because a
substance can be purchased from licensed vendors, doesn't mean it is
safe for anyone to use, anytime, anywhere," Wooldridge explains.

"There are literally hundreds of dangerous and addictive drugs
available through licensed, regulated pharmacies. Tobacco and
alcohol, the two deadliest drugs, are sold in neighborhood stores in
virtually every community in the nation. We recognize the potential
for harm of those substances and have developed workable methods to
control their distribution."

Drug law reform crusader seems a rather unusual path for this retired
police officer. Wooldridge began his career in law enforcement
strongly believing in his mission to protect and serve the public. He
quickly earned the nickname around Bath and DeWitt Townships,
"Highway Howie," for his vigorous enforcement of drunken driving
laws. But, Wooldridge soon became disillusioned with how the "war on
drugs" was being waged. In his experience, he says he found that
police departments put more time and energy into pursuing drug cases
than they devoted to more serious crimes because of the promise of
forfeiture proceeds.

"(It) has morphed into a gigantic, 'Dollars for Collars' money-making
scheme, with public safety departments becoming increasingly
dependent on forfeiture dollars to make ends meet in these times of
strained budgets."

Wooldridge spent Tuesday and Wednesday nights at Jehovah Jireh Farm
on M-43, owned by Greg and Amy Francisco. Mr. Fransico is a longtime
drug law reform activist. He is the Southwest Michigan director of
NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws); a
founding member and the U.S. Director of Educators for Sensible Drug
Policies, an international organization devoted to promoting proven
drug education and prevention programs; and a lobbyist with the Media
Awareness Project, an education and outreach program of the Drug
Policy Alliance. He is also a certified elementary and middle school counselor.

"We need to end prohibition for the safety of our children," says Francisco.