Undercover Drug Cop: Why We Need To Legalise ALL Drugs | Extraordinary Lives Podcast |

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.
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.
Host: Ben Powell-Jones, Twitter: @BenPowellJones
Subscribe To Our Channel: bit.ly/SubscribeLADbible
Be In Our Videos: / ladbiblecasting
Facebook: / ladbible
Instagram: / ladbible
Twitter: / ladbible
#LADbible #UNILAD
To license this video please email: [e-mail]

[@LADbible]

Listen to the brand new Extraordinary Lives: Minutes With Podcasts from LADbible here - linktr.ee/minutes_with_undercover_cop Thanks to Neil for taking part! You can find out more about him here - neilwoods.net and follow him at Twitter @wudzee0 @UKLEAP

[@lindapow9351]

We hope LADbible TV that your team reference to James English/Shaun Attwood to where Neil was first interviewed. Respecting the truth seekers podcasts.

[@UNDERCOVER4825]

I worked alone for 3 years, I portrayed myself as a hard drug dealer looking to buy. I was successful not just buying samples but quantities. When anything other than cannabis in any form was put on me I said I never used the stuff I only used weed. Buying heroin was easy because I said I was a dealer not a user. It’s a nonsense to legalise this stuff because society made the mistake with tobacco and liquor both products that kill, legalising another addiction in the community is irresponsible and should never happen.

[@UNDERCOVER4825]

I can’t get my head around why this guy needed to know the personality of the users if he was chasing the dealers. Cameras, phones concealed radios were not invented. When I worked as a UCO it was fight or flight, I never ran. There was no backup for my safety. I only had backup during the actual buy.

[@Melanie_Star]

@@UNDERCOVER4825 Neil had an old crappy pay as you go mobile back in the early noughties when we met him. I thought he had a tiny dictaphone too, but that was pure speculation based on different things at the time. After everything went down we found out he was properly wired, but only during periods when he didn't think he was in a dangerous situation (even though all situations can get dangerous quick time if we'd had figured out he was a narc) but from reading his book he definitely couldn't wear a wire when we put him onto our man in Nottingham. The two white gang families that at the time ran the city & supplied the surrounding towns were really nasty dudes. Now I'm older I am so grateful that he was able to get enough intel on them to bring them down. Most of them (I'd better not use names) are still locked up to this day. Their ish was blown apart! Multimillion pound drops that were intercepted, the lot, it caused utter chaos for us back in town, lol! My boyfriend at the time was sent down bc of Neil & during the Sting, but I was incredibly lucky & walked. Sadly we addicts don't make for old bones; either we get clean or we die, that's it. I've lost sooo many people I love to drugs & it took me to very nearly lose my own life several times before I finally took the huge amount of love & support I so luckily had from my family, I got clean & I never onced looked back! 🥳

[@UNDERCOVER4825]

@@Melanie_Star hi Melanie, I’m glad to read that you are clean. I had great empathy for the women who were caught up with men who used and dealt but worst of all the men that turned on the women to prostitution to rip the money off them to score. The girls/ladies I met were beautiful people. I always treated them with respect and sensitivity and in many cases got them health by stealth. On 2 occasions I was given up by crooked cops to junkies, once I took a needle or suffer a severe beating or death to convince the crooks that I wasn’t a narc. Then another time I was dragged to the ground by several men, held down, had a shotgun forced into my mouth and was questioned trying to get me to confess to being a narc. I continued to deny and was given a hot shot. One of the prostitutes found me and took care of me, basically saved my life. I believe now that it was Police who injected me as I had refused to sell drugs for members of the department. That job I was working on the attempted murder of a fellow officer. Not long after that I was told my wife was to be raped, decapitated and hung up in my bathroom for me to find. I was to be shot on sight. I continued to work because I was working on several operations at the same time. I was eventually sent back to uniform and transferred out of the city to work in the outback of Western Australia but my mental health declined and I ended up in a mental health hospital and eventually forced to leave the department. The department had no compensation for burnt out Police Officers so I was harassed until I left broken and poor, I received medals for being injured on duty and I left. From 1976-79 there were no break’s, I infiltrated many crime groups without assistance or guidance. I lived with the people I worked on even though I had a young wife at home. Being a UCO was fantastic but the department I worked for blindlessly were a bigger criminal entity. I would love to talk to this guy but can’t find him. I too have written a book and it is on Amazon under my nom de plume Steve Taylor. Stay well.

[@andrewmacpherson4664]

I've been a heroin addict and dealer in the past and this guy is spot on, legalising and making drugs cleaner is the way to go. Tax the legal drugs and the funds from that pays for addiction services etc so it does not have any effect on the public purse. People will always take drugs whether legal or not so I don't see anything but positives legalising them.

[@lifesagamesobeawinner]

It's the unknown purity and adulterated supply that kills the majority.

[@niconine268]

There we go. Another decent comment from one who has plenty of real experience in this area. Cool bro. Open minded & honest. No agenda. Unlike corrupt centralised authority. Also any approach is gonna be an improvement from the one that's been implemented since time immemorial

[@niconine268]

@Janitor Queen And another good comment. I agree once again. Its as you say, the right wing is clearly only screwing everything up in its pursuit of it's agenda. This being a faux pas of such idiotic proportion in particular.

[@wurkinjowurka9026]

What Switzerland and Portugal did with this issue is mind blowing. If you came to Zurich in 1993,you would see open drug use in every park, it was terrible. Same thing was in Portugal, just a little bit different. In Portugal they legalized all drugs up to 5g.,and Swiss gave clean medical grade diamorphine(heroin) to any user who wanted it. So it went from this mistical thing to a normal daily occurrence. They saved thousands of lives. So, the benchmark is here, other countries just need to implement it. You have 2 ways of doing it, and both ways proved to be beyond best expectations.

[@joelhall5124]

If you legalise, regulate, and tax, people will still go to the dealers because it's cheaper. And still commit crimes to fund their addictions.

[@Melanie_Star]

@LADbible TV - I actually met Neil, I was an addict in Mansfield in the noughties, when he infiltrated our crowd & without going into everything that happened (as there was so much) he became friends or rather what we thought was a drug acquaintance with myself & my (now ex) boyfriend, who had illegal ties to our local city Nottingham & the gang leaders there who were selling to us here in our town. There was a police Op that year & Neil set my boyfriend up by getting him to introduce him to his man over in Notts. It's such a long story but my boyfriend ended up getting 5yrs for 'possession with intent to supply'. He was released after 3 years & thankfully by then I had turned my life around, but unfortunately my ex did not. Sadly he passed in 2021, just three weeks after his 40th birthday. He had too many demons & not enough love & support to make the changes he desperately needed. Neil wrote about my ex in one of his books, he says he felt pretty guilty for setting him up because he was such a lovely lad who really wasn't hurting anyone with malice, he had come from the most awful circumstances as a child & then started dealing to support his own habit once he was using. His mother was dying at the time & so sadly within weeks of him being locked up she passed away. He had to go to the funeral in handcuffs. My ex had said to Neil during one interaction "I don't really have anyone, you're my only real mate right now" which is heartbreaking if you think about it & Neil talks about that in his book too. I really enjoy listening to Neil here, not just because I interacted with him once upon a time, but because I know now looking back that he entered a highly scary & dangerous world, that with much hard work turned into him doing a lot of good for communities across the country. Yes, obviously there were casualties, but over all his help in taking down the Notts gang (at that time) was undoubtedly a good thing for me personally in my own life for many different reasons & I know a lot of others too in my town were released from much pressure as well. Edit- I'm glad to see you doing so well Neil! What an incredible & fancinating life you've led indeed ✌🏽💫

[@haydent1000]

To see how he’s kept an open mind and not so one sided like the cops I’ve been arrested by gives me hope.

[@lectrix8]

Wow. This comment was fascinating.

[@Cerebalpaulsys]

Holy shit, I read about you two in the book good cop bad war when I was away at Rochester. Good book. I'm sorry you went through so much, we do recover ✌️✌️

[@Melanie_Star]

@@Cerebalpaulsys The book is a great read isn't it? So bizarre though to have such a small part of your life interpreted like that by someone you hardly knew, who was only around us for a few months. However, the basic details of what happened from Neil's perspective are certainly true. It's not that far off 20 years ago now. I was very lucky to not be prosecuted during the whole sting & Neil's time in our circles. I'm also so thankful I was able to turn my life around when so many around me could not. It's truly like night & day now & because I'm older I can see what Neil did as the good deed it was, having let go of any anger I had way back way on the whole situation.

[@tragicslip_2]

It was honestly hard to hear Neil talk about PTSD. As someone who grew up on the street life, its so hard to imagen how he stayed calm in the face of homicide. How many people wake up everyday and say hope i dont get murdered by addicts , and yet they are here advocating for the addicts and victims of the war on drugs. FR FR Powerful insight.

[@jbird976]

The fact they had him making buys undercover and putting him back in uniform to work regular shifts, is so insanely dangerous. The wrong person sees him and he's done. Crazy

[@TopTechTrends]

Just like they told him to go up to a random door with no training or alias. I hope they somehow verified his employment. But he said it was super secretive so im sure the chief didn’t even know, heck HR is still trying to figure out how he pulled all of this off AND they have him on video working his normal maintenance job 40 hours a week. 😮

[@chefcurry787]

​@@TopTechTrends 😂

[@darnsarf]

The government needs to listen to this man

[@ericchristianson8888]

30+ years as a criminal defense attorney, and I agree with every word he said.

[@idahansson3044]

I work in a youth jail and I agree too

[@bellabear653]

​@@idahansson3044 plus if it were legal there would not be these people advertising drugs on KZbin like the person here myke_spores. I can't wait for the day it is all legal I hate drugs personally and alcohol but I hate people having their lives ruined because it is illegal even more.

[@jeanblyth6305]

Why then does no one listen or do something about it 🤔

[@jw-vx8im]

​@jeanblyth6305 the war on drugs is an industry that employs a lot of people. The govt would look a failure if it legalised drugs, which it should. Portugal has a good model to work with.

[@marcl3763]

DO YOU READ THE GAURDIAN?

[@63phillip]

Nice to hear someone speaking the truth for once. We cant even control drugs in maximum security prisons let alone on the streets.

[@Choune991]

Spot-on

[@grahamgrocott5008]

Wow that statement is so profound.

[@63phillip]

@@leleo6787 This came from my own experience. and is true in all jails and prisons worldwide.

[@iamawuss]

Often, in the prisons, it's the authorities helping the drug supply - just like in society. The "drug war" is corrupt, immoral and a farce from head to toe.

[@belliott88]

Omg… When did LADbible switch lanes into producing these extremely high quality, autobiographical/biographical, interviews?! 😲… Please, never stop creating this kind of content!

[@laurencechase5439]

I think they should almost rebrand completely, I had been putting off watching these because I just associated Ladbible with facebook memes and crap, didn't realise it was this quality!

[@josee-annejoly6896]

@@laurencechase5439 Yes! Or make an independent channel with only this kind of content! I discovered them through their "Minutes with" videos, and I only watch these kinds of content on this channel. Thankfully they have relatively well organised playlists! 😅

[@chaseray8224]

I thought the same thing lol!

[@mind5403]

About 4 / 5 years ago they started doing documentary style content.

[@RealElongatedMuskrat]

​@@laurencechase5439 fully agree. I associated ladbible with that really childish nonsense they used to post, they really should separate the content.

[@mikemurphy5898]

Huge respect to this guy for being able to stay open minded and then actually admit to himself and everyone else that what he thought was wrong. Much respect.

[@lazatron2547]

I could listen to Neil for days on end. So charismatic and knowledgeable

[@AkuraTheAwesome]

Clearly a brilliant and compassionate man.

[@SohnoZ]

This is such a great interview! What I find especially interestingis that he literally got to know his "target group" - the humans behind, the stories.. Not only seeing them as criminals. How his way made him grow as a person, and following from that the bigger picture - that the war on drugs creates more problems than it ever solves. From a small, naive police officer to a political activist.

[@goodvibez598]

A load of people making a load of money with "the war on drugs".

[@adamsteinhardt6393]

I did not share Niels opinions at all before this video, but had considered the argument vaguely in the past. His stories, his eloquence and intelligence in speaking, and his very logical nature has made me reconsider my own opinions. In the off chance Neil read this comment, I’d want him to know that this interview has made a real impact on me, and it will change how I vote and advocate in my community. I’ve great respect for him for taking this interview.

[@marcl3763]

YOUR EASILY CONNED BY A BULLSHITTER

[@JeremyHelm]

40:26 "The police never reduce the size of the market" - critical insight into the game theory here & I admire his clear call for the radical solution of reversing course on criminalization. Excellent interview!

[@ValkyrieofNOLA]

Neil touched my heart when he explained how he began to truly SEE those addicts. His revelation of the majority of addicts experienced some form of intense trauma. I can personally confirm this truth. As a recovering addict, I too used drugs as a way to self medicate to keep making it through every day life. After a near fatal beating from my ex, my suicidal thoughts were overwhelming. That’s when my addiction reared its ugly head. Heroin numbed me enough to keep from self destructing, and relieved the chronic pain I suffered from due to the previously mentioned attack. In a way, heroin saved my life, and it also nearly destroyed it.

[@willsmith39]

It's a shame more police areht like this, thoughtful, articulate, relateble - much like politics, policework often attracts completely the wrong type of people.

[@GreyPunkWolf]

All positions of power, really. It's very anime/friendship is magic kind of vibes to say this, but yeah power is very dangerous and comes with many responsabilities. Our minds are very prone to hold onto feelings of power and superiority.

[@allisonoconnor8055]

I'm usually found most police officers are well educated, articulate, compassionate and well trained.

[@strangemanmtd8350]

Police busts are like blocking a river. But the river will just back up and carve a new path and alas the river flows again.

[@VikingRul3s]

@@allisonoconnor8055 LOL! Sarcasm when it's best 👍👍

[@JOESEMTEX69]

Are you kidding??? The guys a fuucckin Narc!!!

[@CainRG1]

He's speaking pure facts, great interview

[@MalcolmHeck]

Was a 20 year detective and 5 years drug squad, now a psychologist. Seen the problem from all sides. I agree, all illegal drugs should be legalised etc .

[@ID-Boss]

This channel is very underrated. Way better than what Vice is doing these days.

[@JenOween]

As usual, LADbible gives us pure gold. Thank you for these. Please never stop doing them.

[@pstewart5443]

My son once asked me why we don't stop the drug war. I told him the world economy couldn't take shutting it down. Too many people depend on the war on drugs. He is on the police force, and he told me recently that he now understood what I meant.

[@devilsoffspring5519]

If you repair cars for a living, the last thing you want is a new kind of car that lasts for 20 years and never, ever needs any repairs or maintenance.

[@brianfitch5469]

Cops get their new yearly budgets on how many drug convictions the city or county gets. More arrest and convictions new shiny gears and toys. Ive seen some police departments get all new cars every year. While others in the same county have to wait 4-5 years just because they are getting the most convictions for drugs. And drug seizures taking cars and money from people. One time i was arrested for drugs and they took my paycheck i just got as drug money i could never get back.

[@sidstovell2177]

Meanwhile, here in Mexico...

[@devilsoffspring5519]

@@sidstovell2177 Yeah, but you guys have the climate to grow quality dope

[@CTimmerman]

So y'all need to demonize human nature as there is not enough theft, murder, etc otherwise?

[@monro2159]

Fascinating interview and very eye-opening. Neil Woods genuineness and almost understated nature made his story and insights extremely powerful and effective. The whole style of these interviews is absolutely top notch, absorbing, educating and brilliantly focused and in the main so much better than the efforts of the main stream channels who, let's face it, have their own corruption issues!

[@clairemartin922]

I was a heroin addict for 18 years. He is spot on. I was a very abused and neglected child. I had so much trauma . Drugs felt like my saviour. They took the pain away for a little while

[@bethmcnaughton2503]

This is a fantastic interview. Legalise & treat it like a health problem instead of a criminal one….”when I grow up I want to be an addict” said no one!

[@dantedlp3000]

I was in the gang and drug unit in Chicago for 14 years and every time we stopped a group it was the gain for another group. You stop one another one takes that area. It never will stop period.

[@GavinScrimgeour]

What do you think the solution to the drug issue is?

[@dantedlp3000]

@@GavinScrimgeour I agree with the guy in the video 100% legalize all drugs tax them and provide a safe place to use. Just imagine the middle to higher class people that already use drugs now can buy legally to go along with what that would do to crime and our taxes. State and Federal taxes could get cut in half.

[@demonslayereren3970]

Frank Castle

[@billbirchman362]

I was reading an article just the other day about methods of bringing hard drugs into Europe and the police being quoted as saying they are interdicting max 10-15% of drugs imported-sometimes as low as 1%. That means 99% of the stuff is getting through on a monthly basis. Just legalize it all and see how it goes for 10 years. You have NOTHING to lose, as you're losing the war ANYWAYS with those numbers.

[@jgdooley2003]

You only have to see that an island like Ireland has prohibitions against drug and firearms with some exceptions for rifles and shotguns and yet these prohibited items are easily obtained on the island in spite of the few entry points onto an island surrounded by cold stormy seas and only 7 international airports and about 20 seaports. God only knows what happens in continental locations such as the US and EU with hundreds of access points into their countries. The war on drugs is a sick societal joke in the western world and is being comprehensively lost by all the law enforcement in these areas.

[@johnnottellingyou2402]

or heres another solution, you make a public example of sellers, dealers, and producers, in the most violent and extreme ways possible. anyone who thinks the sale and ruin of lives is permissible by anypower is disgusting or outright ignorant the fact that things like this are being seriously considered show the failures of modern people to weak to say no to the most basic temptations

[@stephen4121]

@@johnnottellingyou2402 You 3 years old or something? You think someone selling a bit of weed should be hung drawn and quartered? STFU. People have been using drugs for thousands of years. It is only recently that the ill informed have prohibited them. I guess you have never even drunk that demon drug alcohol.

[@ianchandley]

Agreed Bill. Remove the tremendous profit margins from the illicit drugs trade and you remove the incentives and rewards from criminality. I once (in the 1990’s) smuggled 5 cases of Ackee (a Jamaican food product illegal in the USA at the time) from Canada on a lark (I was young and stupid): my “investment” was $125 and I sold the 5 cases for $500….. that’s an ROI of 400% for FOOD!!!! From that experience it was easy to imagine why people got into the drugs trade.

[@TimeOfSin]

@@johnnottellingyou2402 This hasnt worked with any crime at any point in human history, why would it work now? Most criminals/ would-be criminals either; 1) dont think they'll be caught or 2) have nothing to lose and dont care.

[@johnonokes7967]

This interviewers great, he’s patient, let’s people talk and asks the right questions appropriately

[@zacharysmama1996]

Such an impactful interview. I am Canadian 🇨🇦 Almost 5 years ago (Nov 30) my son died from drug poisoning (that's what we call it here). The province I live in had safe consumption sites... until the conservative government took over. Now I think there is only one open in the whole province. Deaths are out of control. My province is #3 in Canada for deaths by overdose. It's so very sad. My question is... how do you talk to people and get them to listen, to educate themselves, to help them see there is another way? This "war on drugs" has only increased the drugs and increased the deaths. People directly affected by this issue understand but others just simply close their ears.

[@devilsoffspring5519]

In all fairness, if you do hard drugs like heroin you have to accept the high probability of death from overdose. It goes with the territory. It doesn't make any difference if it's legal or not.

[@thomasvanbuskirk5359]

@@devilsoffspring5519 thats what 'safe sites' are. a place they can go do it,and theres people there to help if someone over doses. its the main topic of her post. my father was a heroin addict when he came home from Vietnam,before i was made/born. and used heroin for the first half of my life,but was clean for the last 20 years of his. he dealt with some pretty heavy hitters,i wont name their organization,its not relevant. i will say they ran the heroin (and may still) game in california thru the 70s and 80s. cocain can kill you just as easy as heroin,yet coke overdoses are most always fatal,heroin not near as likely. with legalization and regulation drug usage declines. ask the netherlands. proof is in their statistics.

[@thomasvanbuskirk5359]

im sorry for your loss. i dont know your/his story. but whatever/however your son got addicted doesnt matter anyway. what matters is that he was,and died because your government wont do what the people want. just like here in the united states. the american people are with our brothers and sisters in the north. we was cheering for you all when the truckers protested. i think its the age in time that empirical rule/law needs to be dealt with. theres more of us than there is of them. not to mention,its our sons and daughters in our military and yours. so our governments only have their personal security and police for protection from being removed from office.

[@rustykoenig3566]

"My question is... how do you talk to people and get them to listen, to educate themselves, to help them see there is another way? This "war on drugs" has only increased the drugs and increased the deaths. People directly affected by this issue understand but others just simply close their ears." The thing is... they don't want it to "stop"... if it stops then the $$ derrived FROM it stops. The "War on Drugs" is a HUGE HUGE HUGE cash flow and they don't want to turn it off.

[@superlight7654]

@@devilsoffspring5519 you are 100 per cent correct. Drug dealers do not give a hoot. Children need to be educated about the dangers of drugs by parents and schools. The idiots who try to maintain its ok or cool have a lot to answer to.

[@padebro2683]

First a hearty THANK YOU to Neil Woods and all who created this amazing episode. Was a stunning look at this from an undercover cops point of view. I've known of paying off "dirty cops" but Neil shocked me by saying cartels pay people from an entry level point because I'd never heard of that nor thought of it; bloody brilliant and damned scary! Most absolutely shocking and gut wrenching sad was learning all that effort and tax money to create a mere *2 Hour Pause;* that will hang on my heart for a long time.

[@4b5urd.]

There are many cases in organized crime and the like where people are lured in as early as child hood but most often teenagers and "trained" or brainwashed to become something in particular, having their secondary education (college, university) paid for (and much more). It's a crazy mixed up world and the distinction between who the "good" guys and who the "bad" guys are is more like a kaleidoscope than a line

[@LNMBEATS]

The man is right since i got easy acces to drugs i actually started to build off and now im working towards being clean

[@emmanicole4357]

Well done for making a step towards being clean I hope the best for you

[@hairymcnipples]

I don't think people understand that being in that world actually makes it way harder to get clean, you spend all your life trying to score. I was fortunate that my DoC wasn't on the police radar and you can get it without getting in touch with the drug scene... And even just the damn time it takes to get the gear made it near impossible to get clean (which I now am).

[@rubytuesday5412]

~ Same here mate. Easy access to dope makes it so hard to stop. As does "mates rates", living near certain crew does too. Everything is a reminder .... Good job. All the best to you.

[@the_local_bigamist]

Neil Woods is a legend. His insights are invaluable and we must learn from them - in particular, we must understand that 1) drug addiction is a public health issue and must be treated as such and 2) for as long as commodities such as drugs are illegal, yet highly profitable, people will try to profit from them. Not only will people try to profit from them outside of law enforcement, but the sheer profit involved means that dreaming of a society in which any institution can avoid being corrupted by illegal trades is only ever going to be that: a dream. Kudos to LADbible for bringing this man's work to the public's attention. Nothing will change until people are educated about these matters, and we will not become educated unless we listen to the people who were in the thick of it (at every level).

[@robertedney3892]

There have been many police advocates for drug decriminalisation/legalization of drugs but the people who profit from the policy's that the government make will do everything to keep it illegal as criminalisation creates an industry like the security sector and things like the prison side of the problem I think that they believe that decriminalisation would put people out of a job and greatly affect allot of industry. Even America has made cannabis legal for recreational use in most states so if they can do it,a country that declared a war on drugs then why are we waiting

[@the_local_bigamist]

@@robertedney3892 Spot on. There is too much money in keeping things the way they are, and not at all is this only the case for the crooks. Quite the opposite - if it wasn't making people money, they would do things differently.

[@lorellgingrich6603]

Many thanks to both men; to Neil Woods for his insight and LaDbible for interviewing and airing this discussion.

[@recordatron]

These videos are absolutely fascinating and this guy in particular is really interesting to listen to especially given how he's come out the other side of this whole thing realising the complete futility of this approach. Really important stuff.

[@Subher0]

I've been saying this for so long. LEGALIZE, REGULATE, IMPROVE QUALITY, TAX. No more drug crime, no more pushers, no more wasting police resources. People will use drugs, you will NEVER win that battle.

[@movienite]

Neil: "This is how the world is and what needs to happen to improve it." Interviewer: "Tell me more about how you almost got caught."

[@deus_ex_machina_]

I mean can you really blame him? Those stories are what hooks people in and lends credibility to his arguments. I doubt people would tune in for a 15 min 'sermon' if all the undercover stuff wasn't there. Clearly the host was convinced by Neil's argument and this is how they could get the message out there to as many receptive folks as possible.

[@alexrailton2067]

He was just bringing the conversation back a bit, that's how interviews should be done. His world views needed to be shared, but not that early on, the interviewer did a great job.

[@Paul.1088]

As a retired (medically) Police Officer myself I totally see where you are coming from regarding legalising drugs. Unfortunately due to an injury on duty I am in constant pain and rely on cannabis to ease this. Although I am on high dosage opiate based pain meds (and have been for over 20yrs), these have done nothing for me other than give me brain damage. The real downfall is having to pay to ease my pain

[@junglie]

Grow your own mate not much chance you'll get busted.

[@Paul.1088]

@@junglie see, the problem there is that I can’t even keep a cactus alive never mind something as precious as that lol

[@junglie]

@@Paul.1088 it's as easy to grow as nettles mate & as common in countries that haven't wiped it out, hell we used to grow so much hemp, Hemel Hempstead was named after it! have a look at grow videos on youtube & auto strains, they grow really well outside here in greenhouses or garden. you don't want that nasty irradiated govt weed mate organics the best. & if you want to grow indoors i'm sure some of your mates in the force will have some good kit that fell of the back of a cannabis grower....lol

[@Paul.1088]

@@junglie it’s over 20yrs since my accident mate I’m sure half my team will be long gone by now 😂😂

[@junglie]

@@Paul.1088 never mind plenty of cheap led growlights for sale online & youtube can teach you all you need to know, i've used it for back pain since my disc went out in 88, & the oil for cancer sufferers for over 16 yrs recently for my own cancer too, i'm now all clear . watch "Run from the cure the rick somson story" on youtube all will be clear. best of luck to you,ATB. ps much more effective eaten ,smaller amounts needed & lasts 4 times longer +4 times stronger so go careful.

[@angharadvonotten3313]

I'm so glad to see Woods and LEAP still working and spreading the message of evidence based policing of narcotics. Well done LAD BIBLE. Gold as usual.

[@nonyabeeswax7111]

After the change from law enforcement against prohibition to law enforcement action partnership, most of the most valuable information given to us has disappeared. . There were videos that would have changed the minds of those Not in the choir

[@mafcarvalho]

Watching this was the best time spent on KZbin for ages. Congrats and thanks for the "lesson learned".

[@nielsssg]

@Miguel Carvalho Not you, I like you.

[@dannydarkense5500]

Thank you so much for this, Neil. I work as a drug counsellor and every day I deal with the misconception that addicts are weak, despicable, and undeserving of help. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many addicts are victims of circumstance, survivors of horrific events and unimaginable levels of abuse. Their addictions are a coping mechanism without which many would not have survived even as long as they have. This doesn't mean they're weak; it means that they're damaged and hurting and desperately in need of help. When we stigmatise them, we're adding shame to the burdens they're already being crushed by. The more we shame them, the less likely they are to seek help and treatment. And even when they do, the system that we currently have in place is flawed and broken. Recent cuts to the NHS have decimated our mental health care. (Which includes drug treatment services). The help we are able to offer is insufficient, and oftentimes ineffective. Ideally, a client should receive therapy as well as a prescription. One will not work without the other. Therapy will help to support the client as the numbness of the drugs recedes and the initial pain that led to drug use returns. However in many parts of the country there are long waiting lists for therapy, and even when it is available the longest 'courses' allowed per person are once a week for 3 months. That's 12 sessions. In many cases that's can be more damaging than offering nothing at all, because if it reopens the wounds and then the client is discharged, they are worse off than they were to begin. We need more more people like you speaking out in an informed and unbiased manner, so that subjects like drugs and mental health stop being taboo, or nothing will change, and we really, really need changes. Changes to the way we look at the drug issue and changes to the way we think of those it affects. Changes to the system that is responsible for treating them and changes to the treatment we offer. I am so very grateful to you, Neil, both for the work you did undercover, and for the good you did telling your story. Hero has become a bit of a buzzword lately, but you, sir? You really are a hero. Thank you so very, very much.

[@KYClay9337]

As a former US federal law enforcement agent, I can relate and agree 100% with most of everything he said in this interview. Myself, a lot of other agents, and law enforcement from across the country that I worked with feel this way about legalizing drugs. Taking away the money and power of cartels, ending turf wars and other drug related violence, and addressing addiction through regulation/treatment/rehabilitation are the ONLY ways this issue ends. Problem is, that wasn't addressed during the interview..... there is too much money involved on the law enforcement side of this for legalization to happen. Law enforcement agencies/departments receive massive amounts of funding from the government specifically for drug interdiction that would no longer come. The argument from law enforcement will be "these agents/officers that specifically work narcotics units would be out out of a job, and our department couldn't operate without these funds". I've heard it before, several times, from law enforcementat every level. Instead of realizing that even with legalization/regulation there will still have to be investigations and enforcement of the new laws. It will take the citizens making their voices heard REPEATEDLY AND LOUDLY for the elected officials (that literally serve at the citizens will) to make any sort of changes in this policy. I truly hope to see it in my lifetime, and at the very least.....my son's.

[@jacpratt8608]

It'll also take massive public re education to undo the damage and ignorance cause by the last 100 years at least of those laws. That should provide several universities full worth of jobs for you all. To start.

[@mdm3boi]

You explained my thoughts exactly. The amount off peoples lives in the forces trying to catch these criminals would have to change if they legalised it. Is that an incentive for them to carry on this facade? They'd be all out of a lively hood?

[@164DiecastVideos]

The problem with that mindset is short sighted. They’d still be cops. They would just adjust. Income would be supplemented by taxation on the drugs - not only funding the rehab and care centers, but also additional funding for the Police. This would result in better training, better use of police resources and actually - genuinely better relationships between the Police and the often minority communities pushed into this underworld. Removing the drug market would literally change some attitudes and relationships there over night.

[@KYClay9337]

@@164DiecastVideos I agree with what you're saying about the mindset being shortsighted. I'm just relaying what I've heard from law enforcement across the country when it comes to legalization and funding. The public would have to push for the government to allocate new monies from the taxation of narcotics to replace the funds they were receiving for enforcement. You can ALWAYS trust that the government likes to hold onto any new source of revenue and use it as THEY see fit, and not always what is in the best interest of the citizens.

[@thomasryan2679]

Were you a jail guard?

[@alexrailton2067]

Respect to him mentioning about MDMA, I've literally had 3g sat on my computer desk for probably 3/4 years now. (some good quality stuff, you don't need much lol) Every once in a while I'll do some with a friend or two for a bit of fun with music, but that's it, just one night and I forget about it for months on end with it still sat there on my desk. It's not addictive, and harmless every once in a while, shouldn't be a crime to possess.

[@SolomonRasputin]

Just like the killing of sadam, it only creates a power vacuum that results in harsher crimes being commited during the power struggle

[@danwilkinson9001]

You can’t have alcohol being legal and drugs not. It’s a massive contradiction of principles based on the fact the government make so much tax on alcohol and not drugs

[@Rusco17]

As soon as they regulate weed they'll tax it and thatll be legal then

[@pickledragonrebel]

@@Rusco17 exactly what they did in canada, but you're also allowed to grow a certain # of plants/yr yourself. The money saved on policing and court costs from petty drug possession cases is also very relevant

[@AndusDominae]

I remember leaving uni because I had unaddressed PTSD and basically couldn't walk through the door. I went out for a drink to drown my sorrows and an old friend who I know has been involved in organised crime for as long as I can remember (he's about 10yrs older than me) asked how life was going. I told him basically I'm doing nothing, feeling at a loose end, I was feeling like crap because all my plans seemed like they became null and void overnight... he knew I was an academic, but also very street wise and an ex competitive thai boxer, so he basically gave me a blueprint for a career in crime, to make a name for myself and trade in status. I know I could easily have gone into it, I'd been on the fringes of that kind of thing numerous times and I had all the right friends, I was tempted... until he told me what I needed to do. The only argument I can come up with for not legalising drugs is that I've seen hundreds of people first hand, and know of thousands, who have no hope of being anything except a small time drug dealer. I'm not suggesting we let them carry on and that's that, I'm just saying that taking illicit drug dealing away leaves a lot of people with nowhere to go... bit like the mine closures in a twisted sense. We need to give these people another path to success accessible from the no hope areas of the city, hope for something they can clearly see as an alternative life, clout with their peers for something else, status based on something other than being violent and/or selling drugs. Drug laws may be making the floor lava, but you can't just whip the asbestos rug from under the feet of those who've built their house on it and not expect an inferno.

[@samcharles1166]

Damn that last sentence is brilliantly written. You do make a good point there

[@CTimmerman]

So doordashing weed pays less than the same for heroin/crack/meth/whatever the kids use nowadays?

[@mickeygamble1237]

Rubbish There r plenty of things one can do rather drug dealing. It is fuelled by greed, excitement & failure at school.

[@michaelheron4753]

Great to have Neil on!!

[@yellowpink9962]

Always appreciate a man who is bright, articulate with a heart. Neil I see your courage......thank you.

[@alexandraw.4012]

More people need to see this. The research and real life experience speaks volumes about what needs to change.

[@snoozyq9576]

I'm glad the World is starting to understand the futility of this war on drugs. Here in NZ we came extremely close to decriminalizing cannabis but nays just won by a fraction

[@Anon-xd3cf]

When we talk about the "Hundred Years War"... And the lives lost to near permanent battle... We should consider the damage done by nearly a hundred years of crimes against humanity in the form of the "war on drugs".

[@cecilieward9914]

It sucks nz didn’t legalise, next referendum I hope it will get through as the new generation illegible to vote is more open minded.

[@shonaaitken7635]

Lawmakers should listen to people like this more. Side note, this interviewer is very good. So many interviewers don't give their guests room to speak.

[@Choune991]

Maybe lawmakers are also corrupted and will miss their little bonuses if things become legal..

[@charonone8606]

Mindblowing guys... And so true! Thanks for this awesome interview LADbible Greetings from Belgium.

[@shelly8481]

My new favorite channel - thank you for the excellent content!!!

[@zed4225]

What an insightful, informative interview, job well done on both parts. My heart goes out to those who try and do their job and go through hell to do it (Neil Woods, looking at you, we need more people like you in the world, who can get the change we need as a society), to have it undone by the corrupt element, at all levels, and across many industries. Doctors, Lawyers, Police and even Judges. No hope is there. so yes legalise the lot. You will never stop it, and more needs to be done on recovery. Check out the Fentanyl problem on the streets of Kensington, Philadelphia, USA, its jaw dropping that it continues day in, day out, year in and year out. No-one seems to care about rehabilitation for these poor souls, that are basically living zombies. So sad.

[@anthonycraig274]

This has been the best interview/subject matter I’ve heard this year. Absolutely fascinating.

[@LeotsinidisN13]

I am stunned and in complete awe! - Neil, if people are talking around about finding a real "cause" in their life and "fighting" for it, please just say silent. They have nothing on you. You are a true hero in the eyes of likeminded people already. You are going to be a hero for everyone as the years go by us. Hope it is not too late by then. I have nothing but utter respect for you sir. Thank you on behalf of all the people that you met, loved and cried for after meeting and connecting with them in dark alleys, where the rest of us do not dare too even look and only judge from afar. Best wishes for your life goals and for finding your inner peace, Nikolas @Ladbible - I always liked you folks, even from the very early years. After this I can only be thankful that you provided the correct platform for Neil to convey such a detrimental global problem to us. Cheers!

[@vladimirolujic6637]

Your sound production when the violins pop in is amazing! Like you've suddenly improved my earbuds by 200%.

[@shazilbutt7442]

Such a compelling podcast thank you Lad Bible

[@EricWaterTruck]

Makes sense. Things need to be legal but regulated. The war on drugs is failed.

[@swampaids]

yep, i think the us and the whole world should have learned that because of prohibition

[@scottjohnson5687]

Wasn't it started by George W-ya Well he seemed so enlightened let's do the skull and bones dance for the next 100yr Come on political corruption watching cartels violently mutilate each other... Such enlightened governing in play

[@jugdar13]

War is not over but the drugs are winning

[@adriizbored]

I learnt so much from this video! Amazing, thank you LADbibleTV!

[@boldchick101]

Wow! What a learning curve for me! Thank you for such an eye opening interview.

[@emmaronan6611]

How fascinating,what an articulate man, and so easy to listen to,and learn from. Thank you 🙂

[@Saritabanana]

Fascinating conversation that must be had on a larger scale all the time most definitely in the news here in the usa. Thank you for making space for Neil's story.

[@nancyhunter6696]

Thank you for these videos. They give me a whole new world view. From 49 minutes on was so thought provoking.

[@sophiagrace7008]

Amazing interview. One of the best I’ve seen. Xxxx

[@leemarco9596]

May be some people don't want it to stop. Because their job is to fight the drug war, and if it stops, they are out of a job.

[@sbaby-kg8hn]

Bang on the money

[@mattyweather2855]

That's a very good point Lee. A lot of things in society continue because "that's the way it has been done for the last 20-30 or even 50 years."

[@bunbunthemagnificent7025]

This should be a MANDATORY WATCH!

[@twentypercenter7118]

Fascinating story. Big thanks for the Awesome job LADbible.

[@bobjary9382]

The most comprehensive and honest view of the multiple harms the war on drugs visits on each and every inhabitant of this planet I have ever seen

[@mikerowe6182]

Im in America and I’m surprised a lot of people still don’t know that thc edibles are legal in every state already. Congress redefined the amount of thc allowed in edibles to be based off the total weight of the product and not the total thc content. I get edibles with 200mg of total thc and it’s legal, even though I live in Texas. Just be careful what company you use since some don’t have lab tests so you don’t know what’s really in it. I use Recreational8 because they ship to my state and have a QR code on their packaging that link to lab tests showing it’s legal. It’s worth looking into if you don’t have dispensaries in your state yet

[@Iwuvmafamatix2]

This about the British War on Drugs. Cannabis , except for some rare prescriptions for médicinal use, is still illegal over there.

[@gerrykelly4591]

This has nothing to do with America

[@sigmamale4147]

America isnt the center of the world

[@themunchieman6767]

@@Iwuvmafamatix2 it's growing massively with many people getting it from doctors my brother has had some and many people I know have but I believe that has something to do with the pharmaceutical industry because you have to have tried multiple tablets to try and solve your problem before they give it to you I have never had any pharmaceuticals so I can't get it but its not the best and definitely had something done to it or something added when being grown it will eventually end up legal here in the UK we have many people fighting for it me included I make edibles and have many people who don't smoke it using them instead of sleeping tablets, that should be the war on drugs all the anti depressants etc so many people in the UK addicted to opiates prescribed my doctors 🤔

[@grindcoreninja6527]

I'd rather just use Delta 8.

[@nathd722]

I can not believe this does not have more likes most sense an facts I’ve heard in a long time top class interview

[@winnieg100]

This show is extremely informative to me. Thank for sharing.

[@nicolafawcett2145]

Wow. This is so informative. Didn't realise LADbible was so on it. Well done. Keep going.

[@batmanbill9774]

I'd vote for this guy should become a politician

[@rexpopham3388]

Excellent interview. Good points on how the war on drugs has had enormous unintended consequences. Selling legalization to the politicians and the public will not be easy, to say the least. I am in agreement that classifying drugs as legal vs illegal regardless of their potential for harm is nuts. I live in British Columbia, Canada and we are still having people die daily from toxic drug supply. How about this: let out people doing time for possession and give those empty accommodations to the Sackler family. I don't know the best solution to this crisis, but I do know how we are going about it is not working.

[@tamarrajames3590]

BC is a main port of entry, and has always faced a bigger problem with illegal drug use. The efforts made with safe injection sites have helped many people. I was a heroin addict during the period known as “Panic in Needle Park”, and saw many friends die. I was in the front ranks of methadone maintenance back in the 60s, and was able to be a fully functioning and contributing member of society simply because I had steady access to the medication until I was able to quit in my own time. There are reasons that people use drugs…especially opiates, but those reasons can’t be addressed if all your time and effort is spent on assuring your supply. Legalization does not increase the numbers of addicts, it makes those who ARE addicted able to function and seek help.🖤🇨🇦

[@paultomson7745]

This piece was incredibly insightful, thank you.

[@tamarrajames3590]

Absolutely brilliant, and completely true. You have a new subscriber.🖤🇨🇦

[@star-stuff]

I was a heroin addict and dealer for 17 years (been clean 3 years last week!) & I can say it was past trauma from my childhood that led me to heroin & as Uma told him, it kept me alive but was also killing me slowly. I stopped several times but tried committing suicide 3 times, the last was in prison 6 years ago. It wasn't until I received counselling & the penny finally dropped, that I decided to give it up, for good. I was making a £800 a day for many years but that was offset by a £3-400 a day drug habit, as well as gambling etc etc. It's true what this ex-officer says, drugs should be legalised. People would find it a lot easier to give up drugs if they were looked at like an addict, an addict that's hurting & doesn't know how to deal with the pain & never been offered help for it, rather than being looked at like a criminal (they may commit crime but when off of drugs, they're extremely kind, generous, intelligent people). To those addicts reading this, please, as hard as it is, ask for help & take it from someone that's been there, it's worth the effort, far more worth it than the effort you put in each day to make enough money to not be ill.

[@fionarobins4958]

Well done u on 3yrs sober,I'm 25yrs into heroin addiction&I can't imagine a day where I can say that,I'm 49yrs old&never thought I'd be at it this long,I know having a job&being able to pay for my habit has allot to do with how long my love affair with this fucked up drug has lasted,sadly its easier to carry on as u are than to change...

[@star-stuff]

@Fiona Robins Thanks, appreciate it. Obviously everyone is different but it's funny you mention heroin as a love affair because that's exactly what it is. Sure, I've been in love with women over the years (or so I thought, dealing heroin attracts the wrong sort of woman), but it wasn't until I met a sober woman & genuinely fell in love, then got sent to prison and lost both loves of my life (heroin & the woman), I looked around at the same old faces, telling the same old boring stories that I knew I had to choose one, so I did, & it's finally worked out. I'm not gonna tell you how to suck eggs, I'm sure you've tried getting clean many times and I'm not sure what country you're in but if you're in the UK, I wouldn't advise NA meetings, it's full of self glorified, patronising pricks telling you the same story over and over, it made me want to use, not inspire me to stop! Anyway, I hope you get to stop (if you truly want it) and that you stay stopped because as you know, STAYING stopped is the hard part. (Sorry for the essay, lol). Good luck & God bless.

[@fionarobins4958]

@Star Stuff I'm sad to say the last time I tried to quit using methadone&tapering down 5mls a day was when I went to USA in May 2001,but when I got back 10days later we scored&have done ever since,other than the odd times when there's a bit of a drought, my brother got addicted first 2yrs b4 me&then I started using as well,&my brother has lived with me 4 the last 18yrs,so we prob keep each other addicted&now it's just maintaining to stop rattling,I can't remember the last time I got high,mind u the gear these days isn't as good as it used to be,at least its still heroin&not that awful fentanyl that the US is struggling with, thanks 4 the advice,&keep on being sober...💜

[@maryjacobs5920]

Treatment needs to be accessible and a place to detox. The people who sell and don't use need extra punishment

[@gobshitesandgangsters4272]

Great interview he come across very genuine.

[@joejinnymarks8189]

Glad your doin bigger interviews

[@xChaosReignsx]

Amazing! More people need to see this

[@debbierosenstein8157]

I've been on multiple sleep and anxiety medication for the past 5+ years. My country started prescribing cannabis for mental illnesses and I've been able to stop almost all of my medications. I'd much rather ingest a natural plant than a pill made in a factory.

[@douglasr.c.5622]

This man is so smart. I agree with everything he said.

[@rooben2088]

What a very informative take by a person who has years of firsthand experience. These are the people we should be listening to for certain areas of politics and not people who think they are specialists in everything!!

[@stiiimes]

the only reason I ever got into seriously heavy stuff is because my prescriptions were yanked away from me due to the media-fueled opioid panic and all i could get was very heavy street equivalents. funny thing is people aren't dying from prescriptions, they're dying from the street substitutions for prescriptions. legalization needs to involve current prescription meds as well as street drugs.

[@Dr.P.I.]

The most prominent expert in the UK and Former government advisor on drugs and alcohol Professor David Nutt was asked which drug was most damaging physically, psychologically and socially. He replied - “alcohol”. The following day the government sacked him. Read his book Drink? You will never drink again!

[@queenofthebutterflies5212]

This needs to be seen by more people... (politicians) Prohibition being lawless is just so poignant.

[@TheBezaleel]

Very good interview. A real eye-opener !!

[@AlexanderStarkey]

Great interview, could spend way more time listening to his stories and ideas

[@SamUploads420]

Neil is a great guy. We have to legalise all drugs urgently. We should legalise cannabis and literally give it away on the NHS and sell it within craft markets, similar to the craft beer boom. There's spaces for large corporate entities too, but an economy of craft growers is great for our communities.

[@sashakhan4317]

Why should the middle-classes give free cannabis away to benefit fraudsters?

[@iaindcosta]

have it instead of stinging nettles

[@cab4cab]

I really like this sort of podcast style of interviews

[@yxxxngslayer]

Brilliant interview. Makes me wanna do something.😤❤️😭👏🏾

[@helenp703]

This was a brilliant conversation to listen to

[@steel.oneill]

Didn't David Cameron order a full review of drug use from the UK's leading expert, then dismiss it because he didn't give a review that fit the traditional view of drug policy...

[@thewingcommander]

Good interviewing, asking the right questions. It's the judiciary that's a big part of the problem, they don't generally live in the areas of antisocial drug behaviour, while the rest of us have to put up with it. Drug test every criminal and see how closely linked. The links with mental illness are also very clear and horrible to anyone with a rational mind.

[@bobadams7654]

Great information well presented. Kudos to Neil and LEAP.

[@user-cd2ut4fx1m]

Absolutely love this guy. Has a heart + is very intelligent. Intelligent enough to leave his ‘morals’ at the door in order to deal with the actual problem. Very true when he said “prohibition means no control” - no control means bad news re drugs.

[@BillSami1989]

Another great interview. Keep it up team

[@solokalnesaltam3015]

The levels of stress after 32:59 . The way tics start flaring up through that story

[@wallycheladyn1190]

That was a fascinating interview.

[@brianoliver521]

Fantastic interview. A real eye opener, Thanks.

[@bongeyedbill9355]

Totally agree!!! For many many reasons. 👍

[@Iwuvmafamatix2]

Excellent. Thankyou Mr Woody for saying what needs to be said, at the end of the story of your DS career. It's so true and the results of decriminalising and regulating drugs and spending more money on harm reduction , and education even, in Sweden and Portugal is very positive. As you said , crime and drug related deaths have decreased enormously and also, so far as Portugal goes (I don't know about Sweden but am sure it's the same), there are NOT more drug users than there were before all drugs became tolerated. The War on Drugs really needs to stop. Thanks for posting this interview. I only hope people in high places take notice and rethink their tactics. Soon.

[@alexmason2641]

"war" in any form provides money to certain groups, whether it be countries, arms dealers, drug dealers or the forces that try to "stop" drugs, which I don't think will ever end

[@Iwuvmafamatix2]

@@alexmason2641 . I am sadly inclined to agree.

[@caseycamachoperez7774]

Glad to see someone talking about the drug legalization argument! It doesn't get enough attention