A retired US Police officer is scheduled to speak in Bermuda this month about ending the war on drugs.

Jack Cole, Executive Director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), served with the New Jersey State Police for 26 years, including 14 years as a narcotics officer.

However, after retiring, he became a founding member of LEAP, arguing that ending drug prohibition would go a long way to address issues of race and gender bias, brutality and corruption in law enforcement.

Mr Cole has presented papers and spoken on drug policy reform internationally, making presentations to groups in 26 different countries.

His presentation, titled “This is Not a War on Drugs — it’s a War on People”, will be held on February 26 at the Chamber of Commerce Boardroom as part of the Chamber’s Sound Bites series.

The speech is free for Chamber members while entrance for non-members costs $10.

To RSVP, contact Sales and Events Coordinator Michelle Smith at msmith@bcc.bm.