Celebs say the war on drugs has failed Will Smith, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne and Kim Kardashian are just some names among the celebrities calling for a change to drug laws in America. Over 100 stars have signed a letter written by rap mogul Russell Simmons and other civil rights activists sent to US President Barack Obama on Tuesday appealing to change the country’s prison term policy for drug-related convictions.
The alliance of entertainers are urging Obama to scrap harsh laws and sentences, which according to a published report have resulted in over 2.3 million citizens behind bars.
Currently, drug offenders comprise almost half the federal prison population in America.
Simmons and his contemporaries are requesting for a move towards replacing prison sentences with rehabilitation for non-violent offenders.
“It costs the US an average of $30,000 a year to incarcerate an inmate, but the nation spends only $11,665 per public school student. End the war on drugs,“ said Simmons.
Simmons has launched a cyber march on Washington today to further the agenda and rally supporters to the cause.