Podcast appearances and mentions of Neil Woods

Neil Woods spent fourteen years as an undercover police officer, helping dismantle some of Britain's most notorious drug gangs.Yet after his biggest victory he came to the conclusion: was it worth it?He started to feel that the problem was helped by repeated failures of governments to tackle the cause of Britain and America's drugs epidemic. In fact by handing control of drugs supply to criminals governments were the cause.‘A doctor controlling it (drugs supply) with a prescription pad has no incentive to find new customers and so the market doesn't develop. So what happened is it becomes a pyramid scheme. If you're organised crime, you want to find new customers, you find someone who's addicted and you say, ‘Look, if you find five more customers and you sell to them, they'll pay for your habit' and the pyramid scheme explodes.'Neil's views are controversial views. But they are compelling. In this interview Neil describes:* How the world used to experience two competing drug policies: The American System and The British System - with the American System winning.* How following criminalisation in the 1960s, addicts fell into the hands of organised crime.* How some schemes decriminalising drugs have worked in recent years.To find out more about Neil and to get copies of his books ‘Good Cop, Bad War' and ‘Drug Wars' click here: https://www.neilwoods.net/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertmurphy.substack.com/subscribe

Neil Woods spent years as an undercover police officer. He says his techniques in included ‘weaponising empathy' - using the good nature of society's most vulnerable.And as Britain was being hit by a wave of cheap drugs and a rise in heroin and crack cocaine addicts, Neil had the most staggering results.In just one operation against Britain's most notorious gang - The Burger Bar Boys - his work led to 96 arrests.But what impact did living a double-life have on this family man? What was it like having knives held at his throat?And why does he now believe undercover policing should only be used in the rarest and most extreme cases?Neil Woods has written two thought-provoking books. Links to them and him are here: https://www.neilwoods.net/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertmurphy.substack.com/subscribe

Britain's police forces seem constantly embroiled in scandal. Where does this stem from and where is most of the corruption? Former police officer and undercover drugs operative Neil Woods, author of Good Cop, Bad War, talks to Alex Andreou about the extent of police corruption in Britain and the pressing need for drug reform to reduce the problem.   • “If the public understood the extent of corruption caused by drug policy, we would have a referendum... Drug laws in this country are not ethically sound.” – Neil Woods  • “Because criminals control the over £10 billion a year drug market, which is completely unregulated, the vastness of that wealth is what gives organised crime its power to corrupt.” – Neil Woods  www.patreon.com/bunkercast  Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson and artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Growing up with a sense of heroic duty, a man becomes a cop fighting the drug war, when the sobering realities of his job lead him to profound awakening.Today's episode featured Neil Woods. You can find out more about Neil by going to neilwoods.net, where you can also find links to his two books: Good Cop, Bad War and Drug Wars, with more about his own experience and about the War on Drugs in Britain. To find out more about his organization, LEAP, or Law Enforcement Action Partnership, go to lawenforcementactionpartnership.org. Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew WaitsSocial Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningThis Is Actually Happening Discussion Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/201783687561039/ Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.comContent/Trigger Warnings: near death, violence, suicide, mention of sexual assault, mention of gang rape, domestic violence, explicit language Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service. To access the full catalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at https://wondery.com/plusSupport the Show: Support The Show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/happening Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: https://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop. Intro Music: "Illabye" – TipperMusic Bed: Ambient Themes by Nigel Coutinho ServicesIf you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Drug policy reform: The missing link to climate justice The International Coalition on Drug Policy Reform and Environmental Justice has published its first report, Revealing the Missing Link to Climate Justice:  Drug Policy here This episode of Earth Matters looks at how the war on drugs and international prohibition regime support organised crime, encourage corruption and, as Clemmie James puts it, is a "wrecking ball" for the environment,  impeding international efforts to protect the environment and prevent climate change.  Clemmie James, Climate activist and Chair of the International Coalition on Drug Policy Reform and Environmental Justice. Neil Woods, former UK police officer and undercover drugs operative, author and board member of Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) in the USA and in the U.K. and member of the International Coalition on Drug Policy Reform and Environmental Justice. Dr. Diego Andrés Lugo-Vivas, scholar and activist from Columbia and member of International Coalition for Drug Policy Reform and Environmental Justice. Produced by Judith Peppard Earth Matters # 1439 Music:  Astro by Mateo Kingman

Do international drugs busts cause a major disruption to the supply chain in the illicit narcotics trade? Or are they simply factored in by the drug cartels and worked around in order to minimise any impact on their operations? Lester Kiewit speaks to Neil Woods, a UK national who spent fourteen years working as an undercover operative among the deadly drugs gangs of the UK, and by Shaun Shelly, Policy, Advocacy and Human Rights Manager at TB/HIV Care.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The drug war in the UK and worldwide has been going on for a long time. It's not new to see news coverage on buy busts and undercover operations. It makes us more aware of the drug problem, but also lulls us into a false sense of security that things are improving. In reality, these drug busts pose more threats to our community safety. In this episode, Neil Woods gives a sneak peek into the life of an undercover cop. He shares talks about the futility of the drug war and how it empowers organised crime. So many vulnerable individuals get caught in the crossfire between criminal organisations and the police. Fortunately, Neil shares that there is some change happening. He also details the concrete steps we must take to win this fight against drugs.  Tune in to this episode to find out the truth about the drug war and what you can do to help end it!  Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode: Discover the ugly truth behind drug policy and why it needs to change. Learn about Neil's experiences and realisations from working as an undercover cop. Find out what you can do to aid the social movement against the drug war.  Resources ⁠Noise App⁠ Connect with Neil:⁠ ⁠⁠website⁠ | ⁠Twitter⁠ Grab a copy of Neil's⁠ Drug Wars⁠ and⁠ Good Cop, Bad War⁠ now! ⁠Why major drug busts don't work: an undercover cop explains⁠ Episode Highlights About the Young Neil Woods Neil grew up in the middle-class town of Buxton in the Peak District. He admits that he had a sheltered upbringing. He went to university by mistake, thinking he would be interested in Business Studies. He dropped out shortly after. While backpacking around Europe, he saw an advertisement for the police in the local newspaper and flipped a coin. The result eventually set him on his career path. Wanting to do something different and adventurous every day brought him to policing. His Early Years in the Police At the start, Neil found policing to be a shock. Being a 19-year-old, he was naive and had no experience with handling conflict.  He almost got kicked out during his probation and hated the first two years. But he wanted to prove to himself that he could get past two years, so he hung on by the skin of his teeth. How Neil Started Working Undercover If you struggle in the police, your colleagues will perceive you as useless and unreliable. Neil experienced this as well. To get a fresh start, he moved to another station in Glossop.  During that time, in the early to mid-90s, the government pushed police forces to prioritise the drug war.

By his own admission, Neil Woods lived a sheltered life in his youth, and soon became aware of this in his early stages of police training. A rare opportunity in the form of an attachment to the drugs squad, led Neil into the covert world of undercover work. Quickly becoming an expert in his field, Neil excelled in his career, before feeling the negative effects of the work on his mental health. Follow This Podcast To Be Notified Of New Episodes, Visit Our Social Media Platforms & YouTube Channel For More Bonus Content, And Listen Live To Our Radio Station: Listen Live: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.forceradio.live/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit Our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@forceradiohq

Environmental Dimensions of the 'war on drugs' We investigate the environmental dimensions of the war on drugs and the international drug prohibition regime.  Liliana Davalos, an evolutionary biologist from Stony Brook University in New York, tells us how growing coca crops in Colombia for the international drug market began and the impact it's had. https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-06-24/colombias-forests-silent-victims-of-the-war-on-drugs.html Neil Woods, former undercover police officer, author, member of Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) and the newly established Drug Policy Reform and Environmental Justice Coalition, describes the wealth and power of multinational drug networks, how whole countries can be corrupted and the impact on the environment.https://www.newthinking.com/sustainability/environmental-dimensions-of-drug-prohibition-and-corruptionhttps://www.search.org.au/neil_woods_drug_wars_or_new_laws Breaking newshttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/13/im-not-afraid-ecuadors-assassinated-presidential-candidate-who-fought-the-cartels Referenceshttps://english.elpais.com/international/2023-06-24/colombias-forests-silent-victims-of-the-war-on-drugs.htmlhttps://www.newthinking.com/sustainability/environmental-dimensions-of-drug-prohibition-and-corruptionhttps://hir.harvard.edu/aerial-fumigation-in-colombia-the-bad-and-the-ugly/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/20/colombia-cant-resume-coca-aerial-spraying-for-now-court-rules  Additional audioHistory.comhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-K60XXaPKw Al Jazeerahttps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/20/colombia-cant-resume-coca-aerial-spraying-for-now-court-rules  Photo: Flavia-carpioP3PFi8T UnsplashMusic: El Liso en Aleyo  by Louis Towers Earth Matters #1413 Produced by Judith Peppard 

I welcome Neil Woods to the show in this interview episode to discuss his career as a former UK police officer and undercover drugs operative.Neil worked undercover between 1993 and 2007, befriending and gaining the trust of some of Britain's most violent and unpredictable criminals. He's now an active member of the international drug policy reform movement.With the insight that can only come from having fought on its front lines, Neil saw the true futility of the War on Drugs - that it demonises those who need help and empowers the worst elements in society.  Neil is a board member of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) in the USA and the U.K. (LEAP UK). LEAP is a growing international organisation that advocates an evidence-based drug policy and related criminal justice reforms. The group is made up entirely of serving and former police and other law enforcement.Neil can be reached at his website:neilwoods.net***This interview was recorded on May 24, 2023.For all things British Murders, please visit my website:https://www.britishmurders.com/Intro music:David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'https://linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I welcome Neil Woods to the show in this interview episode to discuss his career as a former UK police officer and undercover drugs operative. Neil worked undercover between 1993 and 2007, befriending and gaining the trust of some of Britain's most violent and unpredictable criminals. He's now an active member of the international drug policy reform movement. With the insight that can only come from having fought on its front lines, Neil saw the true futility of the War on Drugs - that it demonises those who need help and empowers the worst elements in society.    Neil is a board member of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) in the USA and the U.K. (LEAP UK).   LEAP is a growing international organisation that advocates an evidence-based drug policy and related criminal justice reforms. The group is made up entirely of serving and former police and other law enforcement. Neil can be reached at his website: neilwoods.net ***This interview was recorded on May 24, 2023. For all things British Murders, please visit my website: https://www.britishmurders.com/ Intro music: David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet' https://linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Wraith Interviews Former Undercover Cop Neil Woods

Working as an undercover police officer in the UK is treacherous. The people you interact with are always within a hair's breadth from finding out your identity, close calls and criminal gangs looking for the undercover officer to prove they are not a cop. Neil Woods, who was an undercover police operative for 14 years with some of the UK's most violent drug gangs which he writes about in his book ‘'Drug Wars: The Terrifying inside story of Britain's Drug Trade''... Image: Twitter @wudzee0

Working as an undercover police officer in the UK is treacherous. The people you interact with are always within a hair's breadth from finding out your identity, close calls and criminal gangs looking for the undercover officer to prove they are not a cop. Neil Woods, who was an undercover police operative for 14 years with some of the UK's most violent drug gangs which he writes about in his book ‘'Drug Wars: The Terrifying inside story of Britain's Drug Trade''... Image: Twitter @wudzee0

Tervetuloa taas uuden jakson pariin, joka on tällä kertaa poikkeuksellisesti englanniksi. Jatkan siis jaksokuvausta englanniksi. In this episode I interviewed Neil Woods, a former British undercover police officer who spent 14 years infiltrating violent drug gangs across the UK. Throughout the years he has collected stories of gang violence, criminal exploitation, police corruption and illegal drug trading. His career led him to see drug prohibition as a systemically dysfunctional way to deal with the drug problem. He now works for LEAD UK, an organization of law enforcement officials campaigning to end drug prohibition. What are some of Neil's most dangerous undercover operations? Why is the drug war a losing battle? Why is corruption so prevalent in drug policing? Is prohibition connected to the immense gang violence we are seeing in Sweden? Why does Neil think legalization is a better path than decriminalization? ▶️ Jaksot videon kera Youtubesta: http://www.youtube.com/c/Futucastpodcast

Neil Woods (@wudzee0) spent 14 years as an undercover drugs operative, gaining the trust of some of the most violent, unpredictable criminals in Britain. Now he's an active member of the international drug policy reform movement, and author of Good Cop, Bad War and Drug Wars. What We Discuss with Neil Woods: The complex logistics of undercover law enforcement operations. The skills of persuasion and manipulation an undercover operative relies on to get the job done and stay alive in the process. Neil's close calls and epic failures while working undercover that he somehow managed to survive. How the pressure placed on police departments to get results makes corruption almost inevitable — even among officers committed to doing the right thing. Why, after spending 14 years trying to win the war on drugs, Neil now advocates an evidence-based drug policy and related criminal justice reforms. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/806 This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinger.com/deals Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course! Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

Neil Woods spent fourteen years (1993-2007) infiltrating drug gangs as an undercover police officer – befriending and gaining the trust of some of the most violent, unpredictable criminals in Britain. With the insight that can only come from having fought on its front lines, Neil came to see War on Drugs as futile. ***** H-Hour patrons were sent this podcast before anyone else. Become a patron at patreon.com/hkpodcasts ******

Let's chat with TV presenter, broadcaster, and podcast legend, Tim Lovejoy. Tim has had an interesting journey with drug policy... like many, Tim believed in our drug laws, he had no need to investigate further. But after hosting a number of people on his own podcast, The Lovejoy Hour, such as Peter Bleksley, Neil Woods, Johann Hari, and our own Stop and Search host Jason Reed, Tim has had a complete transformation in his thinking and is now a big advocate from drug policy reform - he does all he can to help spread the message. In this episode of Stop and Search we talk about the role the media play in drug policy, as well as press 'scandals'. We also delve into mental health, addiction, and what more we can all do to help raise awareness to this big issue. Don't forget to like, share, subscribe and nice review wherever you can. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 57 - Neil Woods, The Real Story Behind The War on Drugs The mighty, wise and brilliant Neil Woods joins Zach on this all new episode of the MAPS Podcast. Neil discusses his insights when he spent 13 years as an undercover drugs operative in the UK and how his experiences led to an awakening to course correct and lead the charge in fighting the war on drugs. Neil is a wonderfully eloquent speaker and story teller, you won't want to miss his one of a kind insight into a global war that has failed nearly everyone involved.  Neil is a former UK police officer and undercover drugs operative. Now he's an active member of the international drug policy reform movement. He worked undercover between 1993 and 2007 befriending and gaining the trust of some of the most violent, unpredictable criminals in Britain.  With the insight that can only come from having fought on its front lines, Neil came to see the true futility of the War on Drugs - that it demonises those who need help, and empowers the very worst elements in society.  Neil is a board member of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) in the USA, and in the U.K. (LEAP UK).

Tim talks to ex under cover drugs squad copper about drug reform  Contact Tim LovejoyHour@Gmail.com

Neil Woods spent fourteen years undercover infiltrating the UK's biggest drugs gangs. He penetrated dangerous organisations across the country, living alongside the most notorious gang members. Neil talks us through the split-second decisions that stopped his cover being blown, plus why he thinks drugs decriminalisation is how we solve climate change. Extraordinary Lives is a podcast from the team behind LADbible's Minutes With. You can watch all of our videos here - https://www.youtube.com/c/LADbible/videos We speak to remarkable people who each have a unique story to tell - spies, terrorists, hackers, gangsters, killers, people with particular conditions, and those who've lived unreal experiences. These are the stories that resonated the most with LADbible's audience when they were originally told on Minutes With. In this podcast, LADbible's Ben Powell-Jones sits down with those individuals for a more in-depth conversation, revealing untold tales for the first time.

If you think the War on Terror is an expensive exercise, everything about it pales into insignificance when we talk about the bigger war on our doorstep – the War on Drugs. More than a century of conflict, confiscation, court cases and incarceration later… and still there's no end in sight. Isn't it now time to readdress this challenge by using different language, laws and leadership? Or is the War on Drugs so entrenched that vested interests and authorities are blind to reframing it? Ross Ashcroft joins the writer and author of ‘Chasing The Scream', Johann Hari, and the former undercover police officer turned drug campaigner and writer of the book ‘Good Cop, Bad War', Neil Woods. Read & Watch: https://renegadeinc.com/war-on-drugs/

Episode 78 of The Simpa Life Podcast features Neil Woods. Neil is one of the UK's most prolific former undercover drug detectives on the front lines of the war on drugs in the late 1990s and early 2000s. After recognising the harm his actions and career had on the most vulnerable in society Neil retired from policing and began campaigning and advocating for an end to drug prohibition. These days he is a public speaker, advocate, and author having written the books "Good cop, Bad War" and "Drug Wars" with J S Rafaeli. Links: - Previous Episode #8 - LEAP UK - Neil's Twitter - Vice on krokodil - Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Act 2021 - Referenced Guardian article about domestic abuse. If you enjoyed this Podcast then please consider liking, sharing, and subscribing and if you loved it, please consider becoming a Patreon today! Check out TheSimpaLife.com for more content and exclusive blogs. Follow The Simpa Life on Social media. Twitter Facebook Instagram Youtube “The Simpa Life is a media and lifestyle company that seeks to inform, entertain and educate through the creation and curation of alternative thought-provoking content and conversations” #TheSimpaLifePodcast #TheSimpaLife

“It's just terror, it's just fear with no object…It's so purely guttural and instinctive it's almost like the prey of a tiger…the moment that it knows it's about to be ripped apart.”Today's episode featured Neil Woods. You can find out more about Neil by going to neilwoods.net, where you can also find links to his two books: Good Cop, Bad War and Drug Wars, with more about his own experience and about the War on Drugs in Britain. To find out more about his organization, LEAP, or Law Enforcement Action Partnership, go to lawenforcementactionpartnership.org. Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits Episode Summary: Growing up with a sense of heroic duty, a man becomes a cop fighting the drug war, when the sobering realities of his job lead him to profound awakening. Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningThis Is Actually Happening Discussion Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/201783687561039/ Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.comContent/Trigger Warnings: near death, violence, suicide, mention of sexual assault, mention of gang rape, domestic violence, explicit language Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service. To access the full catalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at https://wondery.com/plusSupport the Show: Support The Show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/happening Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: https://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop. Intro Music: "Illabye" – TipperMusic Bed: Ambient Themes by Nigel Coutinho ServicesIf you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joe and Amy sit down with former undercover police officer Neil Woods from the UK. He discusses the prevalence of PTSD and suicide among cops and explains what UK harm reduction looks like. As part of the global Law Enforcement Action Partnership, (LEAP) he speaks around the world to politicians, policy makers and the general public to tell the dark truths about the War on Drugs.

Today we introduce our first in studio guest!!! Partner that with the deadliest hot sauce on earth, and an interesting story about the war on drugs from the eyes of an undercover cop. You got yourself a SPICY episode, listen in!

This re-run was triggered by a news article of a horrible event in Ecuador where a prison riot killed 68 people. Such type of events are becoming increasingly commonplace due to organised crime. The rioters and instigators must be dealt with appropriately to control the violence, but beyomnd that where does that leave us? We can take one stance, which is drugs are bad and all drug dealers must be banned, drug consumers must be victimised and jailed for their infractions of law. While this view is probably justified, it doesn't help solve the drug problem. Why? Because, decades of pursuing the bad guys and prohibiting the drugs has not helped eradicate the problem. In fact, it has made it worse says our guest, Neil Woods. Neil is someone who after two and half decades of being an undercover cop, is trying to go to the root cause of the problem and is arguing for evidence based drug policy. In fact, before you make a judgement, Neil's comments will make both conservatives and libertarians happy. Not because, it is political but because he advises following the evidence and ensuring adequate regulations are in place to help people rather than pool all resources behind policing. 

This week we don't have a normal episode for you'll, instead, we thought we would release this amazing interview to you all! You may have heard Neil on one of the previous episodes. He has some crazy stories to tell us about his undercover work, and what made him see there were problems with drug laws.  Neils is an Author, activist, and all round nice guy. He also tells us about the PTSD he suffers because of the guilt he feels for the people he manipulated during his time undercover. Now he travels the world doing talks to other police agencies to tell them his side of the story, and why he thinks drug laws need to change around the world.  You are really going to like this interview! Please share :) 

Neil Woods er er den tidligere undercover-politimannen som gikk fra å infiltrere narkogjenger og jage rusavhengige fra hjørne til hjørne i Birmingham til å snu 180 grader og bli en av verdens mest prominente og viktigste stemmene i den globale rusreform-scenen. Både som bestselgende forfatter av bøkene "Good Cop, Bad War" og "Drug Lords", men ikke minst som en primus motor og styremedlem i LEAP (Law Enforcement Action Partnership) både i England og USA. Han er også meget aktiv på twitter som @wudzee0. I denne episoden (spilt inn før sommeren) snakker vi med han om den feilslåtte rusreformen i Norge, om de store og vanskelige spørsmålene rundt avkriminalisering vs legalisering, om veien videre for reformbevegelsen i Norge og globalt, og selvsagt om hans egen reise fra slem politimann til god rusreform-kriger. (Nesten) garantert anekdote-fritt! Lytt, lik og del... https://twitter.com/wudzee0?lang=en

Author and former undercover UK narcotics officer Neil Woods @Wudzee0 talks about the drug war and how it intersects with mental health. He also opens up about the harm he caused and his regrets about the emotional manipulations that his job required. More about Neil Twitter @policeforreform @UKLEAP @wudzee0  Instagram @UKLEAP https://lawenforcementactionpartnership.org/ http://ukleap.org/ A social media film.. https://youtu.be/dm-BWHnJtxA   Support Our Sponsors! Switch's Self-Love Journal use code mental20 at www.switchresearch.org to get 20% your purchase   This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp online counseling.  To get 10% off your first month go to www.BetterHelp.com/mental  Must be 18.  For those under 18 you will be redirected to or can go directly to TeenCounseling at  www.teencounseling.com    WAYS TO HELP THE PODCAST ______________________ Subscribe via iTunes and leave a review.  It costs nothing. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mental-illness-happy-hour/id427377900?mt=2 ————————————————————————— Spread the word via social media.   It costs nothing. Our website is www.mentalpod.com our FB is www.Facebook.com/mentalpod and our Twitter and Instagram are both @Mentalpod  -------------------------------------------------------- Become a much-needed Patreon monthly-donor (with occasional rewards) for as little as $1/month at www.Patreon.com/mentalpod    Become a one-time or monthly donor via Paypal  or Zelle (make payment to mentalpod@gmail.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Try Our Sponsor's Products/Services --------------------------------------------------- See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In episode 63 of High on Home Grown, the cannabis podcast, we talk about bud rot. From what it looks like and how it spreads, to the best ways to prevent it indoors and outdoors. The interview is with a former undercover police officer from the UK, Neil Woods. Neil worked undercover busting heroin dealers. He tell us some of the stories from when he got into dangerous situations, like when someone found a camera in his jacket! We also have some great questions in listener mail, and of course this weeks cannabis news and events. Find out more on the show notes page for this episodes! Episode 63 Show Notes

CSP20-The drug war in the UK and worldwide has been going on for a long time. It's not new to see news coverage on buy busts and undercover operations. It makes us more aware of the drug problem, but also lulls us into a false sense of security that things are improving. In reality, these drug busts pose more threats to our community safety.In this episode, Neil Woods gives a sneak peek into the life of an undercover cop. He shares talks about the futility of the drug war and how it empowers organised crime. So many vulnerable individuals get caught in the crossfire between criminal organisations and the police. Fortunately, Neil shares that there is some change happening. He also details the concrete steps we must take to win this fight against drugs. Tune in to this episode to find out the truth about the drug war and what you can do to help end it! Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Discover the ugly truth behind drug policy and why it needs to change.Learn about Neil's experiences and realisations from working as an undercover cop.Find out what you can do to aid the social movement against the drug war. ResourcesNoise AppConnect with Neil: website | TwitterGrab a copy of Neil's Drug Wars and Good Cop, Bad War now!Why major drug busts don't work: an undercover cop explainsEpisode HighlightsAbout the Young Neil WoodsNeil grew up in the middle-class town of Buxton in the Peak District. He admits that he had a sheltered upbringing.He went to university by mistake, thinking he would be interested in Business Studies. He dropped out shortly after.While backpacking around Europe, he saw an advertisement for the police in the local newspaper and flipped a coin. The result eventually set him on his career path.Wanting to do something different and adventurous every day brought him to policing.His Early Years in the PoliceAt the start, Neil found policing to be a shock. Being a 19-year-old, he was naive and had no experience with handling conflict. He almost got kicked out during his probation and hated the first two years.But he wanted to prove to himself that he could get past two years, so he hung on by the skin of his teeth.How Neil Started Working UndercoverIf you struggle in the police, your colleagues will perceive you as useless and unreliable. Neil experienced this as well.To get a fresh start, he moved to another station in Glossop. During that time, in the early to mid-90s, the government pushed police forces to prioritise the drug war.

Neil Woods is a former undercover police officer in the UK, author of the book Drug Wars, and a member of the reform group Law Enforcement Action Partnership.

If You Can't Beat ‘Em, Help ‘EmYou can't fight fire with fire. Or can you? You can't treat addiction with drugs. Or can you? You can't bandage bruises to a brain. Or can you? You can never expect a cop to have compassion and fight the system. Or can you?There are so many dichotomies when it comes to life and how we think it should be lived. We're already starting to see the strange way that up is down and left is right. So, we're ready to throw one more in your direction. Join us as we talk to Neil Woods, a former undercover police officer who spent 14 years infiltrating the narcotic underworld only to find that maybe the best way to beat ‘em is to join ‘em. Ok, maybe joining them is not the answer, but fighting the drug dealers, the suppliers, and even the users the way that we have for the past 50 years isn't working; it's time for something new. Neil has seen the roughest people on some of the roughest streets and come out the other side - not with vitriol and hatred, but compassion and a new vision for a path forward. And he's not alone. He's spoken before legislators around the world to try to change the way we think about and manage recreational and problematic drug use. Even if you don't agree, you can't argue with a man who has risked it all and forgotten more than you or I will ever know about these wicked ways.Neil is the author of “Good Cop, Bad War” and co-author of “Drug Wars: The Terrifying Inside Story of Britain's Drug Trade.” He is a former undercover officer with the UK police, a board member of the Law Enforcement Action Partnershiphttps://lawenforcementactionpartnership.org/ (LEAP) and an all around badass.

Former undercover police officer Neil Woods joins Tim once again to talk about Drug Reform 

Information from High Tea episode 35: What's in your joint today? Remo: Frosted Fruitcake Rens: Glueberry OG Van Dutch Valley Crew Derrick: Silver Haze from PINK coffeeshop, Eindhoven Anything new? English Reader Section “De Nationale Cannabis Krant”: https://www.denationalecannabiskrant.nl/english/ Dutch cannabis sales drop: https://prohibitionpartners.com/2021/02/12/dutch-cannabis-sales-drop/ Coffeeshops And Cannabis: Amsterdam Grapples With Drug Tourism https://www.oxfordstudent.com/2021/02/11/coffeeshops-and-cannabis-amsterdam-grapples-with-drug-tourism/ World's Largest Cannabis Deal Sees UK Firm GW Pharma Bought For $7.2bn https://businesscann.com/worlds-largest-ever-cannabis-deal-sees-uk-firm-gw-pharma-bought-for-7-2bn/ CBD cannabis entrepreneurs seize their chance in France: https://menafn.com/1101580755/CBD-cannabis-entrepreneurs-seize-their-chance-in-France The Urban Remo: YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3Yb_9nD8lzHGipSOFXwkpQ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbanremo/ Urban Remo a YouTube cannabis celebrity https://www.mapleridgenews.com/news/urban-remo-a-youtube-cannabis-celebrity/ De Ouwe Doos / From the archive: The anthology ‘Best of Homegrown, edited by Lee Harris and Chris Render', was published by Red Shift Books, London in 1994. ISBN 0 9524350 0 4. Listeners Response Send your questions, suggestions for guest and all other feedback by mail Highteapotcast@gmail.com or use the comments section for this episode, 35. Wise Words / Wijze Woorden “These are headlines we all know. The police have made another big bust and they're keen to show it off, with the drugs laid out on a table and the cameras clicking. Senior police love this coverage. They get to bump up their statistics and push for bigger budgets. Politicians use it to convince everyone their policies are working. And journalists know that drug stories always generate clicks. But there's a dirty secret that every cop in that picture knows: that no matter how impressive the seizures look, it makes absolutely NO difference to the drug supply. Not only do we never decrease the drug supply, these busts actively increase violence. If you take out a major drug dealer, all you do is instigate a turf war. (...) Wherever you see police post this kind of drugs photo-op, please post this video in the comments so we can continue the discussion.” Neil Woods, former British police officer Theme Tune High Tea Potcast Our theme tune ‘Mary You Wanna' is written and performed by Dutch band Mooon: http://www.mooonband.com/ Sponsor of this episode Episode 35 of the High Tea Potcast is sponsored by Super Sativa Seed Club, premium cannabis seeds for the advanced grower, available at supersativaseedclub.com.

One of the UK's most notorious undercover cops exposes the truth about UK gang culture and the battle he faced in the aftermath.  Read 'Eating Smoke: One Man's Descent into Crystal Meth Psychosis in Hong Kong's Triad Heartland.' Paperback UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0993543944 Paperback US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0993543944 Support the podcast at: https://www.patreon.com/christhrall (£2 per month plus perks) https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-our-veterans-to-tell-their-story https://paypal.me/TeamThrall Sign up for my NON-SPAM newsletter and FREE books: https://christhrall.com/mailing-list/ Social media Links: https://facebook.com/christhrall https://twitter.com/christhrall https://instagram.com/chris.thrall https://linkedin.com/in/christhrall https://youtube.com/christhrall https://discord.gg/yqvHRUN https://christhrall.com

Episode 8 of The Simpa Life Podcast features Neil Woods, one of the most prolific former undercover drug detective on the frontlines of the 1990s and early 2000s British war on drugs. After recognising the harm his career had on the most vulnerable in society Neil retired from policing and began advocating for an end to the war on drugs. These days Neil is a public speaker, an author, and board member of both LEAP and LEAP UK. Check out his books written with J S Rafaeli Good cop, Bad war (2016) Drug Wars (2018) Follow Neil's work at: LEAP UK Twitter Website If you enjoyed this video please consider liking, sharing, and subscribing and if you loved it, please consider becoming a Patreon today Visit www.TheSimpaLife.com for more content and information. You can also follow The Simpa Life on Social media. - Twitter - Facebook - Instagram “The Simpa Life is a media and lifestyle company that seeks to inform, entertain and educate through the creation and curation of alternative thought-provoking content and conversations”

Vanessa Kirby goes undercover with a man who spent 14 years fighting the War on Drugs. Disguised as an addict, Neil Woods risked his life to infiltrate brutal narcotics gangs. The experience led him to question our whole approach to fighting the War on Drugs, and led him to a remarkable new strategy and life. How would YOU fight this war? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets and skills. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Gemma Newby. Produced by Louise Clarke-Rowbotham. Music by Nick Ryan.

With films such as Donnie Brasco, The Departed and many others, have you ever wondered what it's like for a real life police officer going undercover? What can it do to an individuals mental health after?In episode 28, I sat down with former undercover police officer Neil Woods to talk about how he went undercover to take down a prominent Nottingham drug lord Colin Gunn and the notorious Birmingham based Burger Bar Boys. Tune in as Neil talks what he had to do undercover, horror stories, the effect it had on his mental health and his view on the war on drug crime.Don't forget to subscribe to ‘The Doctor Uz Podcast' on;Spotify- https://tinyurl.com/ybh38ftaITunes- https://tinyurl.com/ycm6zrrdYouTube- https://tinyurl.com/ya26b3r5To find out more, visit us on www.instagram.com/doctoruzpodcast or www.facebook.com/doctoruzpodcast. Be sure to check out our brand new sponsors Lord Clothing on www.instagram.com/lord_clothing_liverpool.

Neil Woods is a former Undercover Drugs Detective Sergeant whose brief was to infiltrate Britain's most dangerous drug gangs, befriending the foot soldiers before taking on their gangster bosses. Neil risked his life to infiltrate some of the UK's most vicious gangs, by doing so he came to realise the terrifying reality of the drug war in Britain. During this time, what Neil discovered is that (like most wars) the war on drugs was futile at best and corrupt at worst. He's now a board member of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) in the USA and the U.K. LEAP is a U.N. accredited NGO campaigning for an end to the war on drugs. He's written two books, a memoir Good Cop Bad War, and Drug Wars, with JS Rafaeli.Gabor Maté's book on addiction and trauma - https://drgabormate.com/book/in-the-realm-of-hungry-ghosts/ Burger bar boys - https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birmingham-burger-bar-boys-gang-11796968 Chief Constable Mike Barton - https://www.durham.police.uk/news-and-events/Pages/News%20Articles/Chief-Constable-Mike-Barton-announces-retirement-.aspx Ron Hogg - https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/a-man-people-tributes-ron-17526538 HAT/Heroin Assisted Treatment - http://www.sdf.org.uk/heroin-assisted-treatment-provided-glasgow/ Police and Crime commissioner David Jameson - https://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/your-commissioner/police-and-crime-commissioner/ Drug Consumption Room - https://www.avert.org/news/world%E2%80%99s-largest-drug-consumption-facility-opens-denmark Good cop bad war - https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/1110612/good-cop--bad-war/9781785032707Drug Wars - https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/1114855/drug-wars/9781785037467LEAP UK - http://ukleap.org/LEAP - https://lawenforcementactionpartnership.org/The Stop and Search podcast - https://play.acast.com/s/stopandsearchLEAP UK - @UKLEAP LEAP US - @policeforreform Neil Woods - @wudzee0Become a Drug Science Community Member: https://www.donate.drugscience.org.uk/Twitter: @ProfDavidNutt @Drug_ScienceA Fascinate Productions podcast for Drug Science ★ Support this podcast ★

Neil Woods is a former undercover cop who spent fourteen years (1993-2007) infiltrating drug gangs as an undercover police officer – befriending and gaining the trust of some of the most violent, unpredictable criminals in Britain. With the insight that can only come from having fought on its front lines, Neil came to see the true futility of the War on Drugs – that it demonises those who need help, and only empowers the very worst elements in society. Neil is the chairman of LEAP UK (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition), an advocacy group formed exclusively of ex-law enforcement officials that calls for the legal regulation of illegal drugs, and he also starred on Channel 4's Drugs Live. Here Neil Woods shares his thoughts on Drug policy, drugs including Heroin, Cocaine, MDMA / Ecstasy and Cannabis. He also goes into depth about his time infiltrating drug gangs and some of his crazy stories from that time. 

Ex-undercover drugs detective sergeant Neil Woods spent fourteen years infiltrating drug gangs, gaining the trust of some of the most violent, unpredictable criminals in Britain – He now spends his time as a board member of LEAP UK – a global group of law enforcement voices calling for drug law reforms.This episode was recorded on 20/02/20Neil's book ‘Drug Wars' is available now: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/111/1114855/drug-wars/9781785037467.htmlNeil Woods website: http://www.neilwoods.net/LEAP UK: http://ukleap.org/Subscribe to Ross Kemp TV on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0jpyA0_lbm5B7ugrgNEOugInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosskemptv/Twitter: https://twitter.com/RossKempFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RossKempTVProduced by The Chancer Collective: http://thechancercollective.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_chancer_collective/Recorded at One Fine Play: https://www.onefineplay.com/ Music by Reteps: http://reteps.net/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this Podcast we talk to Neil Woods who spent many years as an undercover cop seeking out drug gangs through the contacts he made with addicts. It was a dangerous job and he was responsible for many arrests. However he came to realise that the more arrests that were made the more this crime increased. He felt there had to be a different approach to tackle the crimes around drug use. In this Podcast we discuss Neil’s career as an undercover cop and how he became disillusioned with the effectiveness of that way of tackling the crime. We look at what he considers the alternatives that focus on denying the opportunities to criminal gangs and dealers. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/globalnet21/message

Neil is a former undercover drugs operative, and Detective Sergeant.Now he is an active member of the drug policy reform movement. In this episode we talk undercover drug operations, corruption in the police force, mental health and drug policy reforms. A no holds barred interview. 

We're discussing the global drugs chain. From consumer countries, producer countries, and transit countries, the global chain for drugs is wide-ranging, but sometimes the links in the chain are not immediately obvious. We're joined by a great panel to discuss the many overlaps in the global drugs economy and to explain why none of us are free from the impacts and consequences:Tom Wainwright is a journalist and the Britain editor at The Economist, he's also the author of Narconomics, and book which looks at the Latin American drug trade.Juan Fernandez Ochoa is Campaigns and Communications Officer at IDPC - the International Drug Policy Consortium. Juan also leads on the development of the global Support. Don't Punish campaign.Neil Woods is a former undercover drugs detective and is co-author of Good Cop, Bad War and most recently Drug Wars. Neil is a prominent member of LEAP and LEAP UK.And of course your host is Jason Reed. This episode was recorded live at Tottenham Court Road Waterstones in front of an audience. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After risking his life infiltrating gangs, Neil loses faith in the drug war.

After risking his life infiltrating gangs, Neil loses faith in the drug war.

James English, Anything Goes Ep65. James talks to Neil about his life as an undercover cop and his views on drug laws in the UK. Follow me on social media

I worked with Shane for years in the London Green Party, before he moved to Frome and got himself elected to Mendip District Council. He has been very involved with writing the Green Party's policy on drugs, as well as campaigns like Reclaim the Streets in the 1990s.  In a previous episode of Jen’s Green Jam I spoke to an ex-undercover police officer, Neil Woods about the war on drugs and how it has affected law enforcement, in this episode we are going to be talking about Britain’s drug policy and thinking about the practicalities of reforming the government's approach to drugs. Shane discusses: Some of the big things that worry people about drugs are the addiction potential and the health impacts - how do we best address those concerns?  The different models of legalisation and decriminalisation. Is there a one size fits all solution or is it more nuanced than that?  What is the ideal drug policy and how do we get from where we are now to that ideal? Do we think that drugs gangs will just disappear or turn into tax paying businesspeople? How do we ensure that we protect vulnerable people like kids and people who struggle with addiction?  What is holding the UK back from a better drug policy?  Lots of countries around the world are moving away from criminalisation and trying different approaches, so are there any specific places that we should be looking to for inspiration?  It looks like the Government is softening its stance on medicinal cannabis, what can we expect when they publish some new guidance later this year? What can individuals and communities do to help make a positive change?   

This week Tim Lovejoy talks to former undercover drugs Detective Sergeant Neil Woods. Whilst discussing Neil’s new book, Drug Wars, they touch on how the drug war started, why we need to be more empathetic about every aspect of the drug trade and the personal toll it took on Neil’s life. Neil’s book is available here - https://bit.ly/2EHTGZN If you would like to contact us then our email address is dearlovejoypodcast@gmail.com or you can tweet Tim @timlovejoy All our live Youtube interviews are available on the Dear Lovejoy channel here - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgiasdUjzzaVdRnN323EScw

Sir Simon Jenkins was one of the first journalists to cast a questioning eye over the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. We were very lucky to be invited into Sir Simon's house where we have a very interesting discussion on the historical aspects of our drug laws and how they work in today's society. Writing for The Guardian and author of many books on history, it's fair to say that Simon is one of the country's most respected writers.We're joined by Neil Woods, former undercover drugs detective, author, and Chair of LEAP UK, and also JS Rafaeli, journalist and co-author of Good Cop, Bad War and Drug Wars.In this conversation we delve into the history and legacy of the 'drug war', how the US coerced Britain into this approach, and how the 'British system' was our preferred method of treating those who may suffer with heroin addiction - so what exactly is the British system? JS and Neil really do lend us a great deal of perspective in this conversation given their research for the book Drug Wars which provides an overview of how and why we've reached the place we have with regards to a harmful drugs policy.We say it every time... but this is truly a fascinating podcast! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

'The Drugs War' with ex undercover officer NeilWoods. Neil has authored two fascinating books about his experiences as an undercover cop turned whistle blower. Neil joins me to give us his insights on the war against drugs and explain: how drugs money has caused escalating violence on the streets; why younger children are being used; how drugs money supports others forms of crime and leads to endemic corruption in our police force.  Neil's person experiences of being one of Britain's most successful undercover officers deserves our respect and attention. Having a knife to your throat, or being stripped naked at gunpoint can take a personal toll on the brave officers who have tried to fight a war on drugs that can't be won.

In episode 24, the guys briefly recap the latest news in the NBA including Westbrook's game-winner and Kawhi's mysterious injury. After the news, Bethany Baseball legend Neil Woods joins the podcast for a Netflix review of American Crime Story and Fantasy BS debating the best road trip movies. 0:00-0:58 Starting Lineup 0:59-9:36 Shoutouts and Announcements (Listeners, Olympics update, and Finleyville and Cambridge shoutouts) 9:37-20:08 NBA News (Warriors Thunder, Kawhi injury, and Fultz controversy) 20:09-20:47 Ben Gavlik apology With Neil Woods 20:48-22:00 Intro 22:01-27:25 Netflix Review: American Crime Story (The people vs. OJ Simpson) 27:26-37:23 Fantasy BS (Road Trip Movies)

Secrets is a show about the secrets we all carry inside of us. When Mohamed El Abed found out that he had a secret sister, it was 25 years before he could start putting the pieces together. Across six episodes of Secrets, you’ll hear Mohamed’s story, and meet both people who live every day with a significant lie, and people affected by the lies of others. How is it to live with a secret that no one can know about? What happens when that secret is exposed? In episode one we meet Neil Woods who, as an undercover policeman in the UK, pretended to be a heroin addict for 14 years while he had a wife and two children back home. Secrets is produced and hosted by Mohamed El Abed and Martin Johnson, with additional reporting by Åsa Secher, from the Swedish production company, Soundtelling. Executive producer is Julie Shapiro. Artwork is by Sepidar Hosseini, and music is by Min stora sorg. Secrets is a production of Showcase, from PRX’s Radiotopia. Find out more and listen to the previous series, Ways of Hearing and The Polybius Conspiracy, at radiotopia.fm/showcase.

** I 14 år var NEIL WOODS narkospaner. Så endret alt seg. Nå kjemper han for å gjøre narkotika lovlig. Hør Woods og THEA STORØY ELNAN. ** Og: Norske nyhetsredaksjoner har skapt et monster: Valgomaten har brutt seg ut av buret sitt, og står i fare for å gjøre velgerne til slaver. Morgenbladet har heldigvis redningen, sier SIGVE INDREGARD. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today on Felony Friday Neil Woods joins host John Odermatt. Neil is a former Undercover Drugs Detective Sergeant and is the Chairman of LEAP UK (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition United Kingdom.) For 14 years, Neil Woods risked his life as a drug squad police officer posing undercover as a heroin and crack addict. Over the years Neil came to realize that his work and drug prohibition as a whole, actually made the drug trade more dangerous. So now he works as an activist with LEAP UK to put end to drug prohibition in the United Kingdom. You can find the show notes page >here

Neil Woods was an undercover cop whose brief was to infiltrate Britain’s most dangerous drug gangs. Starting out in the early 90s and making the rules up as he went, Neil was at the forefront of police surveillance. He quickly earned a name as the most successful operative of his time and his expertise was called upon by drugs squads around the country to tackle an ever growing problem. But after years on the streets, spending time with the vulnerable users at the bottom of the chain, Neil began to question the seemingly futile war he was risking both his life and sanity for. Good Cop, Bad War is an intense account of the true effects of the War on drugs and a gripping insight into the high pressure world of British undercover policing. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Geoff talks to Neil Woods - The undercover cop who abandoned the war on drugs talks to Geoff about his book 'Good Cop, Bad War'.

On tonight's programme, Annabel campaigns to create the tallest building in the world and Geoff speaks to ex-undercover cop, Neil Woods about his new book, 'Good Cop, Bad War'

For 14 years Neil infiltrated drug gangs in the UK as an undercover operative. He spent 23 years total in the UK police force. He is now the chair for LEAP UK, which stands for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. We talk about his many experiences posing as a drug addict and taking down drug dealers, and why he's switched sides in this drug war. Neil is open about how difficult it was to come to terms with how little good he actually did for his communities by going after these drug kingpins. He is also open about how coming to this realization contributed to his PTSD.  Drug addiction is quite clearly a medical and social issue, not a criminal one. We discuss why police should be free to focus on other things, and that by keeping drugs illegal we are actually perpetuating violence, theft, and intimidation in our communities.  We also touch on marijuana and the potential for some other psychedelic type of substances to be used for people's benefit, as well as political corruption, fear, and speaking out publicly. There is an overwhelming amount of proof as to why this drug war is a losing battle, but it may take many more people like Neil speaking up before things change. Find him and others like him at LEAP UK:  INSTAGRAM:  TWITTER: www. FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ChangeTruth More at  

Neil Woods has strong views on how drugs like heroin, cocaine and ecstasy are treated by the law. He speaks as someone who for 14 years worked as an undercover police officer, bringing drugs lords to justice. He put himself in danger repeatedly, and ended up with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Now he's left the force and campaigns for a radical change in drugs laws. He's written a book: Good Cop Bad War.

WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME to episode ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN of the Distraction Pieces Podcast, hosted by Scroobius Pip! And once more it's another solid slammer of a show, this week featuring Neil Woods of UK LEAP and now published author! The perfect companion podcast to your steady diet of Distraction Pieces Network goodness (alongside Say Why To Drugs and Stop & Search), as Neil brings nothing but wisdom, refreshing outlooks and sobering stories which you will be glad you sat in on... Neil talks about his background in the police force, beginning as an honest, innocent and well-meaning officer, then going on to chart his course into full on undercover work and the incredibly murky, almost entirely lights-out-dark world of the underground drug scene and the dealers who operate within. Scary, threatening and funny stories from a true veteran, and an enlightening look into the world of prohibition alternatives and the work that UK LEAP does behind and in front of the scenes. Get involved, get informed... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Joining the conversation in episode 11 of Version 3.0 is veteran undercover police officer Neil Woods. In the process of infiltrating many of Britain’s most powerful drug gangs, Neil had machetes held to his throat, knifes thrust at his balls and was once made to take so much speed he couldn’t sleep for three days. He eventually became disillusioned with the police work realising that the war on drugs was unwinnable, and now admits “Everything I did while undercover was a waste of time”, “All I did was make the lives of the vulnerable more unbearable”. In this episode we talk to Neil about his undercover work, how the war on drugs has failed, and how decriminalising drugs is the only answer.

We're on our third episode already! On this edition of Stop and Search we're loosely framing it around drugs in film, books, television, and culture... well, that was the idea, but when you get a group of witty and intelligent people in a room, talking about drugs, it takes many twists and turns. On the panel we have: - Actor and comedian, Rufus Hound - Writer and musician, JS Rafaeli, - Our very own LEAP UK Chairman and former undercover drugs cop, Neil Woods. JS Rafaeli has written Neil Woods' memoir 'Good Cop, Bad War' which is out on August 18th. We go into why JS was so inspired as to write Neil's story... and of course, we chat with Neil himself on his own story: What goes on at street level policing to change the mind of an undercover drugs cop who now campaigns to legalise and regulate all drugs? Rufus Hound provides a great voice of commonsense. Having previously worked with LEAP UK's Executive Director (and Stop and Search's host) Jason Reed on the Oscar longlisted documentary The Culture... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On our second episode we're going to get stuck in and take a look at the grassroots movement of cannabis reform. On the panel we have: Norman Lamb MP - a Liberal Democrat Joe Wells - comic and political commentator Dale Beaumont-Brown - film director and producer - and Neil Woods, former undercover drugs detective and LEAP UK Chairman. Why are we still having to have the conversation on the legality of cannabis? Why are medicinal consumers still subject to arrest in the UK when so many other parts of the world have reformed their laws? Will we see change anytime soon? Does everyone want to see change? Joe Wells is the voice of the cynic, he's someone that doesn't particularly want to see reform and is concerned for the impact of 'legalisation'. So, along with Norman Lamb MP, we lay out the case for regulation of cannabis. Helping us flesh out the real stories, Dale Beaumont-Brown let's us take a look at the new film that's coming out, Cannabis The Grassroots Revolution. Can we convince Joe? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.