Here’s how we move forward.
Donald J. Trump will be the next president of the United States. I am in deep reflection on what these results mean for our country and for one another, Friend.
It is clear that Americans are frustrated with the people in charge for failing to meet their needs. As we move forward, our ability to create healthy, safe, and thriving communities depends on our willingness to build and work together. It also depends on our ability to be honest about what has caused the suffering we see and how we create meaningful change.
When it comes to drugs, Americans have real concerns about issues like overdose, fentanyl, and addiction. The evidence is clear that lack of community investment, the housing crisis, the fallout of COVID, and criminalization have contributed to the suffering we’re seeing. Our communities have been drained of the resources and health solutions they urgently need.
Yet, elected officials across the country deliver false promises that punitive policies are the solution. Punitive policies make it harder for us to provide the stability and supports people need like economic opportunities and housing, and for people navigating addiction: access to evidence-based treatment, medications that cut overdose in half, and other overdose prevention and health services.
We know a true health approach to drugs gives communities the supports they need to live full lives.
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Last night was not just about the presidential election, other important drug policy decisions were made on state ballots.
California voters passed Prop 36 to roll back crucial drug and criminal legal reforms [link removed] Prosecutors, corporate giants, and prison executives falsely promised that Prop 36 would address retail theft and increase connections to addiction treatment through arrests, felony charges, and lengthy sentences. In fact, it will divert resources and funding from prevention, re-entry, and evidence-based treatment. The passage of Prop 36 is part of a growing nationwide trend where disinformation campaigns have walked back health-based approaches to drugs, overdose prevention and harm reduction services, and criminal-legal reforms.
While Americans overwhelmingly support marijuana legalization — this election showed that reform is not inevitable. Though a pair of initiatives passed in Nebraska to legalize and regulate medical use, initiatives to legalize marijuana for adult-use in Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota did not. In Florida, most voters supported adult-use legalization, but, because it only got 56.8% of votes it did not meet Florida’s required 60% threshold to pass. Marijuana legalization will continue. The question is not if, but how we legalize and regulate marijuana. As we have said from the beginning, leaders need to focus on marijuana regulation that prioritizes public health and safety and benefits people, not just corporations.
As we move forward, we are committed to fighting for the health and safety of our communities, and for the support, resources, and services that will get us there. But we need your help to stand alongside us. Fuel our fight by making a gift today.
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With hope,
Kassandra Frederique
Executive Director
Drug Policy Alliance
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