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

Press Release January 17, 2025
Media Contact

Kristen Millnick, [email protected]

Washington, D.C. – Today, President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of almost 2,500 Americans imprisoned for drug offenses, including many individuals serving severe prison sentences as a result of the unfair sentencing disparity that punishes people convicted for crack cocaine more harshly than those convicted for powder cocaine. This unjust sentencing disparity has long contributed to the disproportionate incarceration of Black Americans which is glaring, especially when considering that white people are actually more likely than Black people to use crack cocaine in their lifetimes. Even with Biden’s necessary and important commutations, there is concern that congressional leaders and the incoming Trump administration will repeat mistakes of past and push ineffective responses to drugs like mandatory minimums that are used to target Black communities and let people languish in prison.

In response to this announcement, Kassandra Frederique, Executive Director of DPA, issued the following statement:

“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.

“We thank President Biden and celebrate this historic day. We also have grave concern that elected officials across the country and the incoming Trump administration are at risk of repeating the same mistakes of the 1980s and ‘90s by prioritizing criminalization and punishment over support. Make no mistake, the same drug war playbook that ruined lives, broke communities apart, and imprisoned large swaths of the American public for crack cocaine will have the same effect today, resulting in a more unpredictable, dangerous drug supply that will only put more lives at risk and more people behind bars.

“Our communities are understandably frustrated with the failed status quo, and eager for real solutions to address fentanyl, addiction, and overdose. But Americans deserve real solutions not more failed approaches of the past. Just as mandatory minimums and lengthy prison sentences for crack cocaine failed to deter drug use or drug sales, imposing severe penalties on drugs would exacerbate racial disparities, drain communities of resources, increase overdose risk, and create the conditions for a more potent, dangerous drug supply to flourish. As we thank President Biden for his bold actions today, we will also continue our fight to change laws to support the reintegration of these Americans who will now face the arduous task to reenter a society which has needlessly erected numerous barriers – from housing and healthcare to employment – to their success. And we also call on Congress and the Trump administration to prioritize the real health solutions to drugs and the overdose crisis we urgently need to save lives.”

In 2010, the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) helped lead the coalition that pushed President Obama to sign the Fair Sentencing Act into law which reduced the disparity from 100:1 for crack cocaine when compared to powder cocaine to 18:1. Though politicians blocked the complete removal of the disparity at that time, President Biden’s actions today build on this work to address past wrongs and deliver long-overdue justice to drug war victims.

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About the Drug Policy Alliance The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) addresses the harms of drug use and drug criminalization through policy solutions, organizing, and public education. We advocate for a holistic approach to drugs that prioritizes health, social supports, and community wellbeing. DPA opposes punitive approaches that destabilize people, block access to care, and drain communities of resources. We believe that the regulation of drugs should be grounded in evidence, health, equity, and human rights. In collaboration with other movements, we change laws, advance justice, and save lives.

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

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