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October Newsletter
The Drug War Robbed Breonna Taylor of Her Future
Last week, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced charges against one of the three officers who killed Breonna Taylor, an emergency medical worker who was shot by Louisville Police during a baseless no-knock warrant in a drug investigation. DPA was deeply disappointed that only one of the three officers were indicted, and on a charge of “wanton endangerment” that fails to account for the horrific violence that the police perpetrated against her.

“Breonna Taylor should be alive today, but instead, the systems we have in place – as a result of the drug war – failed her. And they robbed her of the bright future she was just beginning. Had it not been for the drug war, which provides the military-grade equipment to local police departments through military weapons transfer and earmarked federal funds, Breonna would be alive today. And had it not been for the drug war that incentivizes drug arrests with said federal resources, the police likely would have never gone to her home to begin with,” said Kassandra Frederique, DPA’s executive director.

“As long as the drug war remains, people of color will continue to have a bounty on their heads. They will continue to be gunned down in their beds, or held down until they can’t breathe with an officer’s knee on their necks. And worse, those responsible for their deaths will use drugs – or alleged drug involvement – as a cover for their merciless actions.”

“This isn’t an isolated incident. These aren’t ‘a few bad cops,’” Kassandra continued. “It is a system that has been created through the parasitic relationship between policing, the drug war and racism. And until we completely terminate those connections, we are simply adding fuel to the fire and no court or jury will be able to stop the police violence that ensues.”

Learn more about how the drug war fuels police violence
Oregon is on the Cusp of a Major Precedent in National Drug Policy Reform

On November 3, Oregon residents will have a chance to approve the most far-reaching drug policy reform measure ever to make a state ballot when they vote on Measure 110, the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act.

The measure would significantly expand access to drug treatment and services – viable alternatives to criminalization that are supportive rather than coercive – funded primarily from excess tax revenue from the sale of legal cannabis, while also decriminalizing the possession of all drugs for personal use.

“Having a state like Oregon, that has been a progressive leader, take this on will signal to the rest of the country that this can be done,” said Matt Sutton, DPA’s director of media relations. “And just in terms of everything that’s happened this year – COVID-19 and the awakening to racial injustice – it doesn’t seem like such a radical proposition. With COVID-19 we’ve seen the discrepancies in the health care system.”

“It’s the same communities that are being overpoliced and have been hit hardest by the war on drugs,” Matt continued. “And people are realizing that the war on drugs is racist. The real reason behind the war on drugs was to criminalize and marginalize communities of color, and we’ve demonized drugs and the people who use them. The drug war hasn’t made drugs less accessible to youth, but instead, we get a lot more people incarcerated and dying of drug use. The more we criminalize it, the more dangerous it becomes.”


Learn more about Measure 110.
DPA Mourns the Passing of Elizabeth Owens, NY Harm Reduction Activist

DPA mourns the passing of New York harm reduction activist Elizabeth Owens.

Owens worked as an outreach worker and then as a community organizer for VOCAL-NY, a powerful grassroots organization providing harm reduction services and advocating to end the war on drugs. Her passion for the work stemmed from her desire to improve the health and wellness of others who were living with hepatitis C, as she was.

Writing on Twitter, VOCAL-NY paid tribute to Elizabeth’s legacy:

“If you’ve met Elizabeth, you’ll remember her. She greeted you with a loud ‘thank you for coming to work today!’ and gave you a big hug, never a handshake. She talked to everyone on the street or the subway, breaking the monotony of a commute to work [with] her infectious smile and laugh.”

“Elizabeth always showed up as her full self – a drug user, formerly homeless, ‘gay as hell’ and a powerful advocate for her community. She was never afraid to be on the front lines of a protest, and spent [hours] knocking doors across the city to recruit and inspire [people] to join our fight.”

“She will be deeply missed and we will celebrate her life soon. We love you Elizabeth!”


Learn more about Elizabeth Owens’ legacy.
DPA Clips, Podcasts, and Stories
FEATURED POST: Make Your Vote Count



Even if you missed National Voter Registration Day, it’s not too late to register to vote!

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Syringe Access Bill in California Signed into Law by Governor Newsom

On September 29, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Pharmacy Access Bill (AB 2077), which was co-sponsored by DPA, into law. The measure protects pharmacist’s discretion to provide sterile syringes without a prescription, and allows adult possession of syringes for personal use. This legislation is a vital component of the state’s comprehensive approach to preventing the spread of HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

“By signing this bill into law, Governor Newsom has rightly shown he understands the necessity of providing people who use drugs with sterile syringes as a means of preventing infectious diseases,” said Jeannette Zanipatin, DPA’s California state director. “At a time when we are already trying to stem the blow of COVID-19 and an overdose crisis which has been exacerbated by the pandemic, ensuring we protect the health of our most at-risk communities with this cost-effective measure, and not further overwhelm the public health system, is paramount.”

The measure also requires pharmacists to inform consumers on the safe disposal of syringes, provide them with access to disposal containers, and educate them on HIV and hepatitis prevention, treatment, and testing. Because the syringes will be sold to consumers through participating pharmacies, it comes at no cost to the state, while saving the state from significant healthcare costs of having to treat these potentially deadly diseases.


Learn more.
House Delays Crucial Marijuana Vote

The U.S. House vote on the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act that was anticipated for September has been delayed until after the November elections. The effort to move it forward was derailed at the last minute due to unsubstantiated concerns by some Congressmembers.

Continued enforcement of marijuana prohibition laws is responsible for more than 600,000 arrests in the United States every year, disproportionately impacting Black and Brown people.

The MORE Act is a necessary step toward justice that would end the federal war on marijuana and begin to undo the damage of prohibition. It will decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, expunge marijuana convictions, and reinvest in communities hit hardest by drug prohibition.

"Unfortunately, this decision means justice delayed for millions of Black, Latinx, Indigenous and low-income individuals disproportionately impacted by our country's racist marijuana laws. We cannot continue to force these communities to wait for a 'politically convenient' moment while they continue to be robbed of employment opportunities, housing, education, other government programs, and even their children or immigration status,” warned Maritza Perez, director of the Office of National Affairs at DPA.

“If members of Congress are serious in their commitment to responding to calls for racial justice, then this vote must take place the moment the House is back in session following the elections. Even with just a six week delay, approximately 77,000 more people could be arrested on marijuana charges, based on current averages - most of which could have been avoided.”


Learn more


Drug Policy in the News
Associated Press: NJ Voters Weigh Putting Pot Legalization in Constitution


Marijuana Moment: California Governor Approves Changes to Marijuana Banking and Labeling Laws
Forbes: Breonna Taylor is a Drug War Victim
The Guardian: New Zealand Cools on Legalizing Cannabis
Wall Street Journal: The Opioid Crisis, Already Serious, Has Intensified During Coronavirus Pandemic

Filter: "The Drum Beat in My Head Gets Louder" - Meet DPA's New Leader

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