Deadline Sunday: Demand an end to Washington’s War on Drugs.

Act Now

We can’t go back to the War on Drugs. We must act by Sunday.

Washington’s legislature has until Sunday at 5 p.m. to pass legislation that could put us on the path toward a public health approach to substance use disorder. ESB 5476 as passed by the House Appropriations Committee first builds new pathways to recovery and then replaces criminalization of drug use with civil infractions and referrals to services. Sadly, new amendments introduced on Friday would return us to the current racist War on Drugs that has hurt generations of families and communities.

Tell your legislator to pass a version of ESB 5476 that stops treating people like criminals for drug use and substance use disorder.

Message Recipients: Washington Senate and House of Representatives

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Subject Engrossed Senate Bill 5476 and Floor Amendment H-1627.2

Dear Legislator,

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I am writing to strongly urge you to oppose adoption of floor amendment H-1627.2 (762) and preserve the approach of ESB 5476 as amended in the House Appropriations Committee: first build and fund new pathways to recovery, then eliminate criminal penalties for drug use and substance use disorder. Amendment H-1627.2 proposes to return Washington to exactly the same failed and racist War on Drugs policies in place today: an unconstitutional law making possession of controlled substances a felony, and constitutionally suspect laws making possession of counterfeit substances a felony and possession of legend drugs a misdemeanor.

These laws have a well established record of disproportionate enforcement against Washington’s Black and brown community members, inflicting generations of trauma and economic inequities. The Blake decision presented the Legislature an opportunity to do better. ESB 5476 as amended by the House Appropriations Committee reflects understanding of the history and science, and prioritization of the concerns of Washington families who have been damaged by the laws Amendment H-1627.2 would restore.

Please reject this amendment and pass a version of ESB 5476 that puts Washington on a new and better path, with elimination of criminal penalties for drug use and substance use disorder.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]

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Deadline Sunday: Demand an end to Washington’s War on Drugs.

Act Now

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