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John,

Today is National Fentanyl Awareness Day. It's a day to remember just how
serious the fentanyl crisis is and to remind ourselves that we need to
keep fighting for solutions to combat it. At Dream.Org we believe those
solutions start by turning away from punishing those struggling with drug
use and instead helping them overcome their addiction. It's a big
challenge, but together, one we are capable of meeting. Let's talk about
how.

What You Need To Know

* The United States is in the grip of a fentanyl crisis, according to
the CDC^1, more than 107,000 people have lost their lives to drug
overdoses. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl were involved in about
two-thirds of these deaths.

In [ [link removed] ]our recent blog post, we explored two contrasting pieces of
legislation, Kentucky's HB 353 and Arizona's SB 1029, and how they
represent the ongoing battle for criminal justice reform.

[ [link removed] ]Click Here to Read the Full Article

Why It Matters

* Our country's initial reaction to the fentanyl crisis has been mass
criminalization. But this approach is completely ineffective and
doesn't get to the root of the problem.

* Here's the deal: Incarceration doesn't address the root causes of
addiction, which at its core is a medical condition. Instead, it
inflicts more trauma, removes people from their support systems, and
causes complications when they reenter their communities. Moreover,
the grim reality is that incarceration disproportionately affects
people of color and economically disadvantaged folks, perpetuating a
cycle of inequality.

What's Next

If incarceration isn't the answer, what is? We need to pivot our focus to
solutions that directly address the core issues.

* Focus on Treatment: Evidence suggests that methods like
medication-assisted treatment can be far more effective than
incarceration. Imagine if we redirected the funds spent on
imprisonment towards accessible and comprehensive treatment—it could
make a world of difference for folks struggling with addiction.

* Educate and Empower Communities: It's crucial to arm communities with
accurate information about the risks of fentanyl use and provide them
with harm reduction strategies. 

We're calling on you to stand with us. As part of the Dream.Org Justice
Reform community, you are a key player in this work. Here is how you can
get involved: 

* [ [link removed] ]Donate to Dream.Org: Your support helps leaders like Cynetra
advocate for change across the country.
* Stay Informed: [ [link removed] ]Follow Dream.Org for the latest information on
criminal justice reform efforts.
* [ [link removed] ]Join the Empathy Network: Become part of a passionate group of
advocates working together to create change.

Remember, we dream of a world beyond mass incarceration, and it's through
your tireless efforts and support that we inch closer to this reality each
day.

In solidarity,
Dream.Org

^1 [ [link removed] ]Fentanyl Awareness — United States Drug Enforcement Administration

 

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