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.
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.
Orgs to Hochul: Leadership Must Change to Reflect Expertise in Cannabis, Economic Market Development, and Regulatory Licensing
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.
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
Kassandra Frederique reflects on what the election of Donald J. Trump means for drug policy.
Governor Newsom Signs Bill to Increase Access to Drug Checking, a Proven Health-Centered Overdose Prevention Strategy
Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) worked in partnership with a community of people and organizations from across the nation to lay the groundwork for Overdose Prevention Centers National Solidarity Week. From August 25-31, 2024, community partners held events designed to build local power and generate momentum for life-saving overdose prevention centers (OPCs). The events featured a range of impactful actions—from rallies and marches to vigils, tribute walks, and even mock and pop-up OPCs. National events also included a virtual press conference and a digital sign-on letter.
Legislation to encourage expansion of lifesaving drug checking programs is heading to Governor Newsom’s desk. AB 2136, authored by Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer, would remove barriers to implementing drug checking programs and establish legal protections for those involved with such services in efforts to encourage the launch of more programs statewide.
H.B. 4002 is a costly, complicated return to the war on drugs that will primarily impact Black and brown Oregonians.
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