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Statement February 6, 2025

Statement on House Passage of HALT Fentanyl Act, Advocates Urge Senate to Oppose It and Support Lifesaving Health Solutions to Fentanyl and Overdose

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl (HALT) Act (H.R. 27) in a 312-108 vote. This counterproductive bill would permanently schedule all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I without first testing them for benefits or harm, blocking potential research that could uncover new overdose medications. It would also create new mandatory minimum sentences for fentanyl-related substances – harsh penalties that will shatter families and communities, allow for unjust sentences that do not consider individual circumstances, and divert resources away from health interventions that are desperately needed to curb the fentanyl overdose crisis.

Press Release January 17, 2025

Drug Policy Alliance Applauds Biden’s Commutations for Drug War Victims, Urges Elected Officials to Avoid Repeating Same Mistakes

Today, President Biden demonstrated to Americans that justice delayed doesn’t have to mean injustice forever. These 2,500 individuals faced years, in many cases decades, of imprisonment because of the deeply flawed, racist, and draconian drug laws that politicians continue to perpetuate to this day.

Blog December 16, 2024

Overdose deaths are going down: health, harm reduction approaches play a big role

After many years, overdose deaths are finally going down because of public health solutions. Dr. Sheila Vakharia, DPA’s deputy director of Research and Academic Engagement, has been researching recent drops in overdose deaths. We sat down with her to learn more, including what we and our elected leaders can do to save lives.

Statement Maritza Perez Medina December 12, 2024

Biden’s Commutations and Pardons for Drug War Victims are a Historic Step, But More is Needed, Says DPA

President Biden’s historic actions today acknowledge what Americans have long known: that our country’s practice of doling out lengthy prison sentences to people for drug offenses has put lives at risk, broken families apart, and wasted billions of dollars.

Press Release December 3, 2024

Advocates Raise Concerns about Direction of Office of Cannabis Management, Urge Hochul to Protect MRTA

Orgs to Hochul: Leadership Must Change to Reflect Expertise in Cannabis, Economic Market Development, and Regulatory Licensing

Press Release November 25, 2024

Drug Policy Alliance Unveils Proposed Executive Order on Marijuana Reform to Advance Health and Fairness

This executive order is a model for how administrations can use their authority to transform federal marijuana policies to improve the lives of everyday people — rather than just improving profits for marijuana corporations.

Blog November 11, 2024

A True Health Approach to the Overdose Crisis Prioritizes Support, not Handcuffs

Overdose deaths are preventable, but criminalization is standing in the way of saving lives. Effective solutions center support, not punishment. Our Executive Director Kassandra Frederique interviews Dr. Kim Sue, addiction medicine physician and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Yale School of Medicine.

Statement Kassandra Frederique November 6, 2024

With Passage of Prop 36, California Approves a Costly Rehashing of 1980s’ Response to Addiction

Proposition 36 will turn back the clock on a health approach to drug policy, imposing lengthy prison sentences on people in crisis and defunding evidence-based treatment

Statement Kassandra Frederique November 6, 2024

Drug Policy Alliance Reacts to 2024 Election Results

Kassandra Frederique reflects on what the election of Donald J. Trump means for drug policy.

Press Release September 30, 2024

Governor Newsom Signs Bill to Increase Access to Drug Checking, a Proven Health-Centered Overdose Prevention Strategy

Governor Newsom Signs Bill to Increase Access to Drug Checking, a Proven Health-Centered Overdose Prevention Strategy

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A young woman holds a sign that says "End the Drug War."

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