In 2002, an estimated 3.1 million people, 13% of the Canadian population reported that they had used illicit drugs in the past year. Cannabis alone was most commonly reported (10%); drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy and hallucinogens were used by slightly over 2% of the population, an estimated 590,000 individuals. Almost half of those who used drugs (49%) had done so at least monthly, and 9% acknowledged daily use.
Statistics Canada, 2004

Howard Wooldridge

"We need to discuss this issue in order to reduce crime, reduce the death and disease, reduce the cost to the taxpayers, and actually start helping people as opposed to hurting them."


Howard Wooldridge spent twelve years as a road officer and three as a detective for DeWitt and Bath Townships (near Lansing, Michigan). Like every officer, he quickly learned that alcohol killed and injured more people than all the illicit drugs combined. Soon he became known as "Highway Howie" for his fierce efforts to combat drunk drivers, earning recognition from MADD.

While he never wavered in his focus, Howard noticed that many of his colleagues would spend their whole shift looking for a baggie of pot, while the DUIs continued their relentless slaughter. When his wife transferred to Dallas in 1994, Howard took an early retirement. Three years later he became a bi-lingual speaker for the drug policy reform movement, advocating an end to all drug prohibition. In 2003 he became a lobbyist in the Texas legislature where he was part of a team which aided the passage of a bill which mandated no jail time for simple possession of any illegal drug. The Texas law has become a model for the rest of the United States, saving lives and money.

In 2003 and 2005 Howard rode, Paul Revere style, his beautiful horse Misty a total of 6,400 miles from coast to coast in both directions. Riding through 22 states, he delivered the anti-prohibition message to some 13,000,000 Americans. Instead of returning to Texas, he now hangs his hat in Washington DC where he is LEAP's Education Specialist in the United States Congress.

"There's always someone out there that's stupid enough, or greedy enough, or desperate enough to become a drug dealer, either at the bottom or at the top. And we arrest thousands and thousands and there’s always someone that who will take their place, just like that."