Several years ago, as part of my Open Society Drug Policy Fellowship in London, I attended a series of drug policy talks. Having been in the field and having an interesting history with drugs and drug policy, I scanned the room (as I usually do), making heuristic assumptions about the people there. I saw the usual mix; a couple of people who use drugs, some off-duty police, the reformers, legal people, and the press. Then I saw one man I only noticed by chance (perhaps because I was looking closely for a specific man) who looked calm and composed but also had a quiet vigilance about him. His eyes lazily moved across the room, even when attentively listening to people. His demeanour was quiet, and he was reluctant to move into the spotlight. I thought, "Found him! That's the man I can speak to if I need anything". The lecture started, and I forgot about him. Imagine my surprise when they introduced him as Neil Woods, a former undercover officer. "Shhhhiiiiiittttt" (yes, I watched The Wire), "He must have been bloody good." We met later that evening and had a good conversation. I mentioned to him that he had escaped my radar, and I was glad we'd never met 'Professionally'. Maybe I'd lost the knack of reading the room. Use it or lose it, as they say. We laughed about my sore ego and left it at that. Subsequently, I've read both of his excellent books, co-authored by JS Rafaeli. They are well worth reading. I now know Neil and consider him a close friend. I've found out that he is a thoughtful, compassionate, reliable, trustworthy and 'good' friend. Maybe I haven't lost my skills, because I know that Neil is the man I can speak to if I need anything.
Huge respect for Neil and the work he is doing with LEAP and such organisations. I have read both Good Cop, Bad War and Drug Wars, and watched many podcasts and interviews. He comes across as very sincere and knowledgeable.
Truly eye opening towards the corruption that is possible and ongoing in our global economy right now and beyond. Further to that what an eventful insight into a frightening life of a frustrating time in employment with police forces. Balls of steel and a fantastic logical empathetic mind. Great content this was.
1:27:40 here is the study he is referencing: " American Journal of Public Health (ajph) July 2023 Spatiotemporal Analysis Exploring the Effect of Law Enforcement Drug Market Disruptions on Overdose, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2020-2021 Bradley Ray PhD, Steven J. Korzeniewski PhD, George Mohler PhD, Jennifer J. Carroll PhD, MPH, Brandon del Pozo PhD, Grant Victor PhD, Philip Huynh MPH, and Bethany J. Hedden MSW Accepted: March 13, 2023 Published Online: June 07, 2023".
Its a shame. Watch Neil Woods interviewed by someone who is asking questions with a genuine desire to find out whats been happening in prohibition. Ladbible is no particular favourite of mine but the interview is done by someone whos awake and doesnt sound stoned
I couldn't agree more, could learn some lessons from @dodgewoodall and @jamesenglish, such engaging interview techniques, know how to listen and to question, with great interest for their subject.
Several years ago, as part of my Open Society Drug Policy Fellowship in London, I attended a series of drug policy talks. Having been in the field and having an interesting history with drugs and drug policy, I scanned the room (as I usually do), making heuristic assumptions about the people there. I saw the usual mix; a couple of people who use drugs, some off-duty police, the reformers, legal people, and the press.
Then I saw one man I only noticed by chance (perhaps because I was looking closely for a specific man) who looked calm and composed but also had a quiet vigilance about him. His eyes lazily moved across the room, even when attentively listening to people. His demeanour was quiet, and he was reluctant to move into the spotlight. I thought, "Found him! That's the man I can speak to if I need anything".
The lecture started, and I forgot about him. Imagine my surprise when they introduced him as Neil Woods, a former undercover officer. "Shhhhiiiiiittttt" (yes, I watched The Wire), "He must have been bloody good." We met later that evening and had a good conversation. I mentioned to him that he had escaped my radar, and I was glad we'd never met 'Professionally'. Maybe I'd lost the knack of reading the room. Use it or lose it, as they say. We laughed about my sore ego and left it at that. Subsequently, I've read both of his excellent books, co-authored by JS Rafaeli. They are well worth reading.
I now know Neil and consider him a close friend. I've found out that he is a thoughtful, compassionate, reliable, trustworthy and 'good' friend. Maybe I haven't lost my skills, because I know that Neil is the man I can speak to if I need anything.
Huge respect for Neil and the work he is doing with LEAP and such organisations. I have read both Good Cop, Bad War and Drug Wars, and watched many podcasts and interviews. He comes across as very sincere and knowledgeable.
This is one of the best - and most important - RUclips videos I've ever seen. Excellent. Brilliantly explained by Neil Woods - thank you!
Truly eye opening towards the corruption that is possible and ongoing in our global economy right now and beyond. Further to that what an eventful insight into a frightening life of a frustrating time in employment with police forces. Balls of steel and a fantastic logical empathetic mind. Great content this was.
Ive read both of his books. Highly recommend
Regulation all the way , prohibition does not work.
The war against drugs is the most pointless, counterproductive and expensive waste of time there is, it needs to change.
1:27:40 here is the study he is referencing: " American Journal of Public Health (ajph) July 2023
Spatiotemporal Analysis Exploring the Effect of Law Enforcement Drug Market Disruptions on Overdose, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2020-2021
Bradley Ray PhD, Steven J. Korzeniewski PhD, George Mohler PhD, Jennifer J. Carroll PhD, MPH, Brandon del Pozo PhD, Grant Victor PhD, Philip Huynh MPH, and Bethany J. Hedden MSW
Accepted: March 13, 2023 Published Online: June 07, 2023".
The interviewer comes across as being genuinely disinterested.
Its a shame.
Watch Neil Woods interviewed by someone who is asking questions with a genuine desire to find out whats been happening in prohibition.
Ladbible is no particular favourite of mine but the interview is done by someone whos awake and doesnt sound stoned
Either disinterested or anxious or simply not knowing much about this subject aside from maybe doing the odd line on a saturday night.
I couldn't agree more, could learn some lessons from @dodgewoodall and @jamesenglish, such engaging interview techniques, know how to listen and to question, with great interest for their subject.
During this period?
Was Stalmer in charge of,
our.Saville, not being charged?
Just. Wondering!