Drug Policy Alliance
DPA 2023 Newsletter: Issue 1
Most U.S. Voters Support Equitable Federal Marijuana Legalization
A new poll has shown Americans are ready for the federal government to legalize adult-use marijuana. Most voters – including Republicans – also support diverting marijuana revenue to a community grant fund.
Data for Progress published the results of a recent survey. It examined voters' opinions on federal marijuana policy.
The survey found that 65% of respondents support the federal government legalizing marijuana for adult use. This includes 75% of Democrats and 52% of Republicans.
The majority of voters also supported a federal policy to divert marijuana revenue to community-based programs. Close to 76% of Democrats and 51% of Republicans endorsed this proposal.
DPA is working at the federal, state, and local level to end marijuana prohibition and ensure its regulation has equity, social justice, and community reinvestment at the core.
Learn more [link removed]
NY Governor Refuses to Support OPC Funding Despite Lives Saved
New York City's two overdose prevention centers (OPCs) saved more than 600 lives in their first year. Despite this, Governor Kathy Hochul has rejected recommendations to use opioid settlement funds to support them.
OPCs are vital in the fight against overdose deaths. They are a proven tool to prevent fatal overdoses. In following years of advocacy by DPA, VOCAL-NY, and other harm reduction groups. The two OPCs are managed by the non-profit, OnPoint NYC.
In New York City, rates of overdose death are the highest since reporting began in 2000. A recent report from the New York City Department of Health shows that there were 2,668 overdose deaths in the city in 2021. This was a 26.8% increase from 2020.
“Although the Governor claims that her administration is taking an all-hands-on-deck approach to overdose deaths, OPCs are noticeably absent from her plan,” said Toni Smith-Thompson, director of DPA’s New York State Office.
“New York City’s OPCs are relying on private dollars to address a public health crisis. This is unacceptable. If the Governor truly took the bold and courageous action she claims to support, she would use her powers to authorize overdose prevention centers and provide funds from the state’s opioid settlement to save the lives of thousands of New Yorkers.”
Learn more about the overdose crisis in New York City. [link removed]
Oregon’s Measure 110 – Two Years On
This month marks two years since the implementation of Oregon Measure 110. This measure made Oregon the first state in the country to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of drugs. It also expanded funding for health, harm reduction, and addiction services. These expanded services are paid for primarily with tax revenue from the legal marijuana market.
Measure 110 has had promising results over the past two years.
Over $302 million in funds have been provided to overdose prevention. Funds have also been provided for housing support, addiction recovery programs, and other services. The measure has created new service programs in every county of the state. The measure funds many services not typically covered by Medicaid. This helps people without financial means or health insurance access support.
Meanwhile, the average number of monthly arrests for drug possession have plummeted by over 60%. An independent evaluation found that the measure protects public safety and has not caused an increase in crime.
Last November, Oregon voters elected Tina Kotek for governor. Governor Kotek is committed to continuing the implementation of Measure 110. This election showed that voters still believe that drug policies should be based in health, equity, and human rights. Not punishment.
DPA is continuing to partner with our local allies in Oregon. We are working to ensure that Measure 110 delivers on its promise. The state must implement this policy in good faith. We are educating policymakers and the public. We are also defending against rollbacks, shaping media coverage, and ensuring funding for services.
Learn more. [link removed]
DPA Clips, Podcasts, and Stories
EVENT: Drug Checking as Harm Reduction: How Communities Respond to the Drug Supply
In this roundtable discussion, presenters will provide a snapshot of national and regional drug supply trends. They will also describe how harm reduction programs are using this information to help keep communities safe.
Register here for tickets. [link removed]
DPA Condemns Biden's State of the Union Comments on Fentanyl-Related Substances
DPA criticized President Biden's State of the Union pledge. He pledged to increase crack downs on fentanyl-related substances (FRS). And he announced plans to “permanently schedule all illicitly produced FRS into Schedule I.” But the president also called for an expansion of “evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery”.
“We are glad to see President Biden continue to call for increased access to evidence-based treatment, harm reduction and recovery services. But, his support for harsher penalties for fentanyl-related substances—which will result in broader application of mandatory minimum sentencing and disproportionately harm Black, Latinx and Indigenous communities—in the same breath is incredibly counterproductive. It fails to recognize how we got to this place to begin with,” said Maritza Perez Medina, director of DPA's Office of Federal Affairs.
Perez Medina continued, “the president is urging Congress to permanently schedule all fentanyl-related substances on Schedule I without fully testing and researching them. This is creating the conditions for a riskier drug market. It is preventing us from finding therapeutic treatments to address the overdose epidemic.”
“It’s time we embrace science and public health measures, such as Senator Booker’s TEST Act. That would require the federal government to begin researching these substances. It would require them to report their findings and remove any from the drug schedules that are found to be harmless.”
Learn more. [link removed]
DPA’s Executive Director Named One of the 100 Most Powerful People in NY Health Care
Kassandra Frederique, DPA’s executive director, has been named in
City & State’s Health Care Power 100 list. The list honors the decision-makers and leaders who are saving lives in New York State. It includes prominent public officials, executives, academics, and an array of advocates who take their case to Albany and City Hall.
Learn more [link removed]
Take Action: Become an Official Member of the Drug Policy Alliance
As a special incentive, join now and your membership gift will be matched 3X! But you must join now, before the match funds run out. Powered by people like you, we have made great strides towards dismantling the drug war. We are leading the way on creating cutting-edge policies that have fundamentally transformed the direction of drug policy in this country. But we still have so much more to do.
Please, if you can, become a member now. [link removed]
Drug Policy in the News
Marijuana Moment: The ‘Black Market’ Problem in Cannabis [link removed]
Yahoo News: Native American ‘Deaths of Despair’ Ignored in Healthcare Data [link removed]
Leafly: 5 Outrageous Anti-Drug Videos: A Retrospective [link removed]
The Body: NYC’s Two Overdose Prevention Centers Are a Year Old, With Rhode Island Likely to Follow [link removed]
Self: So You Loved Dry January. Here’s How to Be Mindful About Drinking Year-Round [link removed]
New Scientist: US Fentanyl Rules Are so Strict They May Prevent Life-Saving Research [link removed]
Donate Now
Put DPA in your will or estate plan. Find out more about how to join The Ashawna Hailey Planned Giving Society today.
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