Reject Drug War-Era Policies

Act Now

Lessons from more than 50 years of the drug war have taught us that drug penalties don't deter drug use or sale. They don't end overdose deaths. The only thing that they've ever done is to drive arrests and mass incarceration, particularly among Black and brown communities.

New Jersey cannot keep relying on punitive drug war-era policies that we already know do not work like S3325 and S3096. Instead, we must shift its approach to drug use from criminalization and punishment to one that prioritizes public health and access to opportunity.

Message Recipients:
Your State Senator
Your State Representatives
Governor Phil Murphy
Senate President Nick Scutari
Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin
Senator Paul Sarlo
Senator Joseph Lagana
Senator Vin Gopal

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Your Message
Use the form to send a message to your legislator.

Over the last few years, New Jersey has taken meaningful steps towards dismantling the drug war, with the passage of cannabis legalization and decriminalization, and new investments in harm reduction resources. Yet these advances are threatened by S3325 and S3096, legislation under consideration that would significantly increase criminal penalties for drug violations that are already severely criminalized under current New Jersey law and roll back our State's progress.

This is the time for action and leadership. In order to prevent overdose deaths, we cannot keep relying on punitive drug war-era policies that we already know do not work. Instead, New Jersey must shift its approach to drug use from criminalization and punishment to one that prioritizes public health and access to opportunity. There are evidence-based interventions - such as harm reduction and access to housing and jobs - that have been proven to reduce overdoses and keep people safer, and lawmakers should invest in those solutions. I urge you to vote no on S3325 and S3096.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]

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