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Friend,
You’ve helped us make history with groundbreaking victories to decriminalize drugs and invest in health services, from Oregon becoming the first state to do so last November to Members of Congress introducing the first federal drug decriminalization bill in June.
Today, we’re taking another step forward with the official launch of our exciting new campaign to decriminalize drugs in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.
DPA is proud to be leading this campaign with HIPS and the DecrimPovertyDC coalition to call on the D.C. Council and Mayor Bowser to introduce and pass legislation to end arrests for personal possession of all drugs and replace harsh criminal penalties with effective health and harm reduction alternatives.
You can help spread the word and build support for this campaign even if you aren’t a D.C. resident. Here are some ways to get involved:
Every year, there are thousands of arrests for drug use and possession in the District that disproportionately impact Black and Brown people and people who have low-income. Instead of being offered care and health services, those most in need are being targeted and criminalized for simply possessing a drug and left at increased risk of fatal overdose.
It’s time to end these arrests and stop this cycle of harm. Our campaign plans to do just that by urging the D.C. Council to introduce and pass a bill that will:
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- Decriminalize the possession of personal use quantities of all drugs
- Provide for expungement and resentencing of past drug possession arrests and convictions
- Fund 24-hour harm reduction center(s) where people can access support services and safely consume drugs under the supervision of a trained professional that can react in the case of an overdose or other health emergency
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As we work on this campaign to decriminalize drugs in the nation’s capital, we are also continuing to keep the pressure on Congress for federal decriminalization by moving the Drug Policy Reform Act forward.
Help us take advantage of our momentum by urging your Members of Congress to advance drug decriminalization nationwide.
With your support, I’m confident we can achieve victory in D.C. which will catalyze our efforts to decriminalize drugs and shift to health-centered approaches across the country.
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Sincerely,
Queen Adesuyi
Policy Manager, National Affairs
Drug Policy Alliance |
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