WASHINGTON - March 31 - Sting, the internationally renowned musician and activist, is teaming up with the Drug Policy Alliance to call for an end to the failed war on drugs. Sting has written a passionate letter laying out the devastating consequences of the drug war and urging people to support the Drug Policy Alliance in advocating for sane drug polices.

"The War on Drugs has failed—but it’s worse than that. It is actively harming our society. Violent crime is thriving in the shadows to which the drug trade has been consigned. People who genuinely need help can’t get it. Neither can people who need medical marijuana to treat terrible diseases. We are spending billions, filling up our prisons with non-violent offenders and sacrificing our liberties."

Sting explains how he came across the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) after reading an opinion piece by its executive director, Ethan Nadelmann, in the Wall Street Journal about the failures of drug prohibition. Ethan’s article "dared to say in print—in a thoughtful, meticulous argument—what everyone who has seriously looked at the issue has known for years: the War on Drugs is an absolute failure whose cost to society is increasingly unbearable and absolutely unjustifiable."

DPA will be using Sting’s letter to recruit new members. Sting follows in the footsteps of long time DPA supporter Walter Cronkite, the legendary newsman who passed away late last year.

"I am absolutely thrilled that Sting has agreed to join with DPA in advocating for an end to the drug war," said Ethan Nadelmann.  "Sting is taking leadership on this important issue and we know it will inspire others to speak out and get involved."

In addition to writing the letter, Sting has also become a member of the honorary board of the Drug Policy Alliance. He joins other DPA honorary board members including former secretary of state George P. Shultz, Arianna Huffington, Russell Simmons, former president of the Czech Republic Václav Havel, and other prominent public advocates for drug policy reform.

The Drug Policy Alliance is the nation's leading organization working to end the war on drugs and to promote new drug policies grounded in science, compassion, health and human rights. DPA is headquartered in New York City, with offices in California, Washington, DC, New Mexico, and New Jersey.