09/27/2023
Shout this one out from the rooftops and windows like that scene in Network (1976):
A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association: Psychiatry has found that drug decriminalization in Washington and Oregon did not increase fatal overdoses during the first year of this policy change. This replicates a large body of evidence demonstrating that decriminalization does not increase drug overdose, and, indeed, may lower initiation of drug use. This new study contradicts the claim that we in the United States are for some cultural or economic reason the exception that proves the rule elsewhere.
Full drug decriminalization is evidence-based better practice for public health policy and human rights, with sensible, legal regulation as best practice. Decrim ends a number of known harms caused by prohibition; but we will never fully address the overdose crisis without creating a safe supply to replace the inconsistency and toxicity of the black market supply.
The most recent 12 month death stats are that over 118,000 American died from overdoses. This is a huge ray of hope; another world is possible! We do not have to accept mass death and suffering. Decrim can be a turning point where we declare in a unified voice that the status quo is unacceptable, and we're going to move reclaim our right to bodily and cognitive sovereignty, and our right to improve out health through collective action.
If you want to be part of that collective action, join us at https://linktr.ee/ssdpumich
We meet every week via Zoom at 5:30 and welcome students of all levels, and community members of all ages.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2809867?guestAccessKey=ed7fdba1-5494-4ba2-98df-e0f39a8c5313&utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_content=tfl&utm_term=092723
This cohort study examines the rates of fatal drug overdose in Oregon and Washington 1 year after implementation of policy changes eliminating or lower criminal charges for drug possession.
