Friend,

It’s National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, which aims to shatter myths and educate youth about drugs. Far too often the drug war spreads misinformation instead of equipping people with facts. As we face the climbing overdose crisis, arming people with knowledge is more crucial than ever before. We’re fighting back with facts to keep people as safe as possible.

What is causing the surge in overdose deaths? And what can we do to save lives? Take our quiz to test your knowledge of these questions and more.

Overdose deaths are rising year after year. In 2021 alone, 107,600 people died of drug overdose in the United States. And even with teen drug use at historic lows, youth overdose deaths doubled from 2020 to 2021. An increasingly unsafe drug supply is to blame for this surge in fatalities. Many people are dying accidentally simply because they don’t know what they are taking. And punishing people for drugs has only made things worse.

Drug prohibition is making the drug supply unsafe and driving the overdose crisis.

Prohibition prioritizes criminalization and punishment instead of health and harm reduction solutions that are proven to save lives.
It’s created an unregulated, illicit drug supply that includes fentanyl, xylazine, and other potent adulterants. Fentanyl is the leading cause of overdose deaths. It’s mixed into the heroin and counterfeit pill supply often unknown to those taking it. Being unaware of the contents and potency puts people in danger of accidental overdose.
Fear of punishment increases harms. It makes people afraid to seek help and pushes them into risky situations like using alone. And harsh penalties for drug suppliers and distributors actually incentivizes the entry of even more potent substances into the drug supply as a way to evade arrest and law enforcement.

Yet, too many policymakers continue to push for more punishment for drugs. We need a different approach centered in health. This includes decriminalizing drugs and investing in health services, overdose prevention centers, and safer supply.

A safer supply of drugs would help address the unregulated, illicit drug supply and save lives. It would allow drugs to be produced and distributed legally with known potency and without contaminants. This would reduce the risks of consuming unknown substances and the likelihood of accidental overdose.

To make informed choices, people need facts about drug effects and potential harms. They need to understand what they can do to prevent or respond to an overdose. And they should be able to know the composition and potency of drugs to avoid risks. That’s why a regulated, safer supply of all drugs must be part of the conversation.

During this week of action, please join the conversation. Take our quick 5 question quiz to ensure you’re up to speed on the latest facts. And spread the word by sharing our resources on Twitter using #NDAFW.

Sincerely,

Jules Netherland, PhD
Managing Director, Research & Academic Engagement
Drug Policy Alliance

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