Drug Policy Alliance

Dear Friend,

The war on drugs is a war on people.

In our country, we arrest and incarcerate people for using drugs, while there is inadequate access to effective treatment and other supportive services.

And once released from jail or prison, that drug conviction follows you everywhere. It’s a barrier to getting a good job or renting an apartment and can even block eligibility for financial aid, putting college out of reach.

But you know it doesn’t have to be this way.

With your support, we are winning major drug policy reforms nationwide. We did it in Oregon by putting an end to all criminal penalties for drug possession—for the first time ever in the United States—and it’s working. Thousands of people have avoided arrest and now have access to health services that were not available before.

What we’ve seen in Oregon proves what we can do when we work together! Please, if you can, keep the momentum going and power our work with a special gift today.

Drug possession is the most arrested offense in the U.S. In fact, every 27 seconds a person is arrested for drugs in this country.

And the punishments are racist and cruel. While Black and white Americans use drugs and sell drugs at a similar rate, Black people are far more likely to be arrested and incarcerated for drug law violations.

The drug war is—and always has been—a tool of racial oppression. They say it’s about public health and safety, but we know the truth. It targets and criminalizes people of color and people living in poverty.

It’s time for a new way forward. It’s time to finally prioritize health, well-being, and saving lives. And that’s what your donation to the Drug Policy Alliance will help do today.

You see, supporters like you power our work to transform our society’s approach to public health and safety. For example, in addition to our historic win in Oregon, we:

Progressed the most far-reaching federal marijuana reform bill in history and helped legalize marijuana in 19 states, plus the District of Columbia, leading to drastic reductions in the number of people being arrested each year.

Advanced overdose prevention centers (OPCs), leading to New York City becoming the first place in the country to open a sanctioned OPC in November 2021. Already, more than 300 overdoses have been reversed so far.

Helped states and localities hardest hit by the war on drugs, including in the South and Midwest, advance lifesaving drug policy reforms.

Together, we have achieved so much, despite significant challenges. But there is still so much work that needs to be done. And it is up to us to do it.

The drug war hurts people. Please, if you are able, donate a special gift today to help us continue building health-based alternatives that support people who use drugs, instead of punishing them.

Thank you so much for your commitment, activism, and support.

Together, we can make real change.

Thank you,

Joe Salas
Membership Director
Drug Policy Alliance

P.S. This horrific drug war has touched us all and ruined more lives than we will ever be able to count. We have the collective power to end it. Please, if you can, donate today. Together, we can build a more just and equitable future for us all. Thank you again!