DPA's work for reform at the state level makes an immediate difference in people's lives, helping to support the broader vision of a wholesale end to the war on drugs. In 2007, our work brought syringe availability to New Jersey and Los Angeles, passed a medical marijuana law in New Mexico, and protected treatment-instead-of-incarceration in California.
With many state legislatures going into session in January, DPA's 2008 state work is kicking into high gear. Prominent themes for this year across several of the states we work in include medical marijuana, overdose prevention, effective treatment and sentencing reform.
The passage of medical marijuana legislation in New Mexico last year has helped to create momentum for other states in 2008. We will be educating legislators and advocating for medical marijuana access this year in Alabama, Connecticut, Maryland and New Jersey.
Overdose prevention also has momentum this year thanks to a 2007 law passed in New Mexico. New Mexico's 911 Good Samaritan law helps protect people who are witnessing an overdose from drug possession charges if they call emergency services. DPA will be working in several other states to pass similar lifesaving legislation. More on this HERE
To learn about the latest developments in your state, make sure you're signed up for DPA's action alerts. To receive alerts specific to your area, be sure to indicate what state you're in.
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FIGHTING THE DRUG CZARS PROPAGANDA TOUR
Last year, activists met the Office of National Drug Control Policy with sharp questions and literature at every stop on the Drug Czar's tour to promote potentially harmful random student drug testing. Just last month, following education efforts by the Drug Policy Alliance of New Jersey, a New Jersey school district recommended against moving forward with a random student drug testing proposal. Our public education efforts about the dangers of random student drug testing are working.
But the ONDCP persists in pursuing its failed strategy. Despite such strong opposition, the Drug Czar's staff are intensifying their efforts to convince local educators to start drug testing students--randomly and without cause. This winter, the ONDCP is hosting five student drug testing summits over the next two months -- more than double the number they held in the same time frame last year.
We will not let the Drug Czar have the last word on random student drug testing.
For full details of this and the planned action including summit dates and venues please go HERE
To learn more about the Drug Policy Alliance or sign up for E-Publications go HERE
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