The war on drugs did not create institutional racism or disregard for Black life in the United States. It does, however, bolster the racist structures that snuff out Black life daily, as we’ve seen most recently and prominently with George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
Drug involvement – whether perceived or real – has long provided a convenient excuse for over-policing, state violence, and law enforcement interactions that end in death, especially for Black and Latinx people. Much of the militarization of policing that exists today can be traced back to the escalation of the drug war in the 1980s and its targeting of communities of color.
While anti-Blackness is a distinct experience, the pain of structural inequities is shared by immigrants, refugees, trans folks, people who use drugs, and so many others. This moment is about our work but frankly about so much more.
DPA, for our part, will continue to fight to end the racist drug war and remove drug involvement as a cover for disregarding the dignity and sanctity of human life. We are grateful to do this work alongside many incredible partner organizations and allies. Please consider supporting one or more of these groups standing for Black lives and undoing the harms perpetrated by the drug war.
Equity and Transformation (Donate Now)
In Our Names Network (Donate Now)
Institute of the Black World (Donate Now)
Latino Justice PRDLEF (Donate Now)
VOCAL-NY (Donate Now)
Women With a Vision (Donate Now)
We know that ending the war on drugs will not legalize Black people – but it will disrupt a system that chips away daily at the very core of our humanity. #BlackLivesMatter #SayHerName #NoMoreDrugWar
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In Solidarity, Kassandra Frederique Managing Director, Policy Advocacy and Campaigns Drug Policy Alliance |
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