Federal prosecutors handled fewer drug prosecutions last year because of a new approach to handling smaller non-violent offenders, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Attorney General Eric Holder said at a National Press Club address that prosecutions for drug cases fell 6% last year.
Holder said the feds are placing more focus on larger drug dealers, instead of smaller offenders.
Prior to the change in focus, Holder said drug users were getting sent to prison with no possibility of parole.
“For years prior to this administration, federal prosecutors were not only encouraged — but required — to always seek the most severe prison sentence possible for all drug cases, no matter the relative risk they posed to public safety,” he said. “I have made a break from that philosophy.”
He added: “These numbers show that a dramatic shift is underway in the mind-set of prosecutors handling nonviolent drug offenses. I believe we have taken steps to institutionalize this fairer, more practical approach such that it will endure for years to come.”
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