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Friend, I’m excited to share that Minnesota Governor Walz just signed legislation into law that expands access to harm reduction services and legalizes possession of all drug paraphernalia and contained residue.
This is an important step forward to keep people who drugs safer in the midst of the tragic overdose crisis and reduce harsh consequences for drug convictions.
Minnesota has become a leader by enacting these far-reaching reforms which are a model for other states to follow. We applaud local advocates and lawmakers for making this victory possible. DPA was proud to play a role by helping draft and lobby for the bill and participating in the coalition.
With the signing of SF2909 in Minnesota, access to lifesaving harm reduction services, including drug checking, will expand across the state. And giving away and possessing all drug paraphernalia and contained residue will be legal.
Evidence shows that harm reduction services save lives and reduce the risk of contracting infectious diseases. For example, drug checking can detect additives like fentanyl and xylazine. Yet, harsh penalties for drug use and paraphernalia have long been used unsuccessfully to deter drug use. The overdose crisis has only grown dramatically under criminalization and deters people from getting help. Possession of paraphernalia and even residual amounts of drugs can land someone in jail, saddling them with a lifelong criminal record that prevents them from getting a job, public benefits, or a place to live.
The only way to prevent overdose deaths and the harms of an arrest is a new approach that moves away from failed punitive policies toward health-centered policies. Minnesota just took a step in that direction to end the drug war’s negative impact on people’s lives. The next step must be to fully decriminalize drug possession which is a major driver of arrests and incarceration in Minnesota.
Most Americans agree that drug use is a health issue, not a criminal one. This win in Minnesota is yet another example of states making that reality. With your support, we’re fighting to replace the drug war with policies that center people and health across the country.
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Sincerely,
Emily Kaltenbach
Senior Director, Criminal Legal & Policing Reform
Drug Policy Alliance |
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