Post by ck4829 on Feb 16, 2022 18:18:07 GMT
The war on drugs failed. Don’t try it again.
The tragic rise in overdose deaths from fentanyl and other opiates deserves urgent attention from Colorado leaders. Evidence-based harm reduction policies — such as free and widespread access to naloxone, public education regarding the risks of fentanyl, free testing supplies like fentanyl test strips, and supervised use sites — will save lives.
Paired with productive policies like low-barrier drug treatment, stable housing, and investment in community-driven overdose prevention, we can overcome this crisis and improve public health and safety in our state.
In a widely-publicized press conference, state senator and U.S. congressional candidate Brittany Pettersen, state Sen. Kevin Priola, and Attorney General Phil Weiser announced they would take on the overdose crisis. Although public health measures received mention, they put disturbing emphasis on police enforcement and increasing prison sentences, most notably making possession of small amounts of fentanyl a felony. Pettersen even claimed they will “go after the cartels” and end the crisis by increased spending on law enforcement and prison sentences.
This surprising rhetoric would have us repeat the failed war on drugs, which since the 1980s has led to mass incarceration and the systemic racism infecting our criminal system. We do not have to imagine what happens when our government spends billions of dollars claiming to “go after the cartels.” We know.
coloradonewsline.com/2022/02/11/the-war-on-drugs-failed-dont-try-it-again/
The tragic rise in overdose deaths from fentanyl and other opiates deserves urgent attention from Colorado leaders. Evidence-based harm reduction policies — such as free and widespread access to naloxone, public education regarding the risks of fentanyl, free testing supplies like fentanyl test strips, and supervised use sites — will save lives.
Paired with productive policies like low-barrier drug treatment, stable housing, and investment in community-driven overdose prevention, we can overcome this crisis and improve public health and safety in our state.
In a widely-publicized press conference, state senator and U.S. congressional candidate Brittany Pettersen, state Sen. Kevin Priola, and Attorney General Phil Weiser announced they would take on the overdose crisis. Although public health measures received mention, they put disturbing emphasis on police enforcement and increasing prison sentences, most notably making possession of small amounts of fentanyl a felony. Pettersen even claimed they will “go after the cartels” and end the crisis by increased spending on law enforcement and prison sentences.
This surprising rhetoric would have us repeat the failed war on drugs, which since the 1980s has led to mass incarceration and the systemic racism infecting our criminal system. We do not have to imagine what happens when our government spends billions of dollars claiming to “go after the cartels.” We know.
coloradonewsline.com/2022/02/11/the-war-on-drugs-failed-dont-try-it-again/