Tell your lawmakers: Change Maine’s drug laws to save lives

Maine recorded its highest number of overdose deaths last year. More than 500 people died.

Decades of experience have shown we cannot arrest and punish our way out of drug use and overdose deaths.

Criminal penalties make it harder for people to enter recovery, and a criminal record makes it more difficult for people to access housing, employment, and the essentials they need to lead a healthy life.

Moreover, Maine's harsh drug laws have unequally harmed low-income communities, communities of color, people in recovery, people with substance use disorder, and families.

We need to change our drug laws to save lives. We need a humane and public health-informed response to substance use that centers people's health and well-being.

Sign our petition: Tell your lawmakers to support LD 967, a bill that would end criminal penalties for minor drug possession and offer a path to treatment.

To my elected representatives,

More than 500 people died last year from overdose deaths in Maine. That’s more people than died from COVID-19 in the state.

Decades of experience have shown we cannot arrest and punish our way out of drug use and overdose deaths. We can no longer afford to pursue a failed set of policies as our family members and neighbors die preventable deaths.

We need to change our drug laws to save lives. We need a humane and public health-informed response to substance use that centers people’s health and well-being.

I urge you to support LD 967, which would end criminal penalties for minor drug possession and offer people a path to treatment.