THE DRUG WAR TARGETS BLACK COMMUNITIES

In 2017, 27 percent of people arrested for drug violations were Black, although Black people make up only 13% of the U.S. population and use drugs at roughly the same rate as other racial groups.

COVID-19 HAS COMPOUNDED THE PREVENTABLE OVERDOSE CRISIS

More than 841,000 people have died of drug overdoses since 1999 and “the latest numbers suggest an acceleration of overdose deaths during the pandemic.”

BASIC PUBLIC SERVICES ARE DENIED TO PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS

27 states have partial bans and one state has a full ban on SNAP benefits for people with felony drug convictions.

ALCOHOL PROHIBITION SHOWS US THAT CRIMINALIZATION IS INEFFECTIVE

From the alcohol prohibition era of the past to federal criminalization of marijuana and other drugs today, criminalization doesn’t solve problems and creates new ones.

THE DRUG WAR DOESN’T STOP DRUG USE, MORE OVERDOSES THAN EVER

The U.S. spends over $47 billion a year on the drug war, yet the cost of most criminalized drugs has decreased, the potency of many have increased, and there are more overdose deaths than ever before.

HARM REDUCTION PROGRAMS IMPROVE & SAVE LIVES

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that syringe service programs lower the likelihood of HIV infection among people who inject drugs by 50%.

DRUG WAR CONTRIBUTES TO MASS INCARCERATION

450,000 people in the U.S. were incarcerated for a drug law violation in 2016.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS DEAD DUE TO DRUG WAR POLICIES

A devastating half a million people in the U.S. have died from overdoses since 1999. COVID-19 has intensified challenges for people who use drugs.

Use “people-first” language, like “people who use drugs” and “person struggling with substance use” > stigmatizing terms like “addict”, “drug abuser”, and “alcoholic” that don’t see the person as separate from their substance use.

Use a public health framework: criminalizing a health condition like substance use disorder contributes to widespread stigma, driving people suffering away from care.

Use the term “drug war” over the more commonly used “war on drugs” since the war is on our communities, not the substances.

When accurate, talk about the “preventable overdose crisis” since criminalization and associated policies are responsible for the vast majority of the overdose deaths, and we can choose differently.

The drug war created the overdose crisis, and greedy pharmaceutical and insurance companies have cashed in on our pain and suffering.

Demonizing drugs and the people who use them is a time tested tool to distract from some politician’s failures to address racism and poverty.

To truly recover from the draconian drug war, people with convictions need to have their criminal records wiped of past charges, people locked up need to be reunited with their families, and communities that faced the brunt of attack need to be compensated for their pain and loss.

People we know and love use medications and other substances to reduce physical pain, cope with stress, or to have fun.

Drug prohibition has made us less safe by driving our loved ones who use drugs into the shadows of stigma, shame, and fear.

We need to reduce the harms of drug use through [insert policy: syringe exchanges, overdose prevention sites, medication assisted treatment, etc.]

We need to root out the drug war and its systems of criminalization from our communities.

We need to prioritize care over criminalization.

When we put the health and well-being of our communities first, we can prevent overdoses with humane policies rooted in science and compassion.

Everyone that wants to deserves the chance to seek treatment.

People find recovery, treatment, and resources through love and compassion, not punishment and incarceration.

When we meet people who use drugs where they’re at and without judgment, we recognize their inherent humanity and worth.

We can prevent overdoses when everyone is guaranteed good healthcare including mental healthcare, stable and affordable housing, access to the substance related services they need, and voluntary treatment.

People who have been thrown in cages because of criminalization need to have the opportunity to participate in the industry when marijuana is legalized.

Regardless of how many times someone has overdosed, they deserve lifesaving care, without exception.

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