The Brennan Center joined civil rights, criminal justice reform, and faith-based organizations to oppose the punitive aspects of the Trump Administration’s plan to combat the opioid crisis. The letter condemns accelerating the use of the death penalty and increasing already harsh sentences for drug offenses. It instead urges the administration to support proven public health strategies to end the opioid crisis, reduce problematic drug use and save lives. The groups write:
“We reject the punitive and overly simplistic approach of the War on Drugs that has contributed to the United States’ world record levels of incarceration, and has fractured families and communities in the process. We ask for your support in advancing a more humane and evidenced-based approach to ending the opioid crisis.”
Letter: National Coalition Rejects Death Penalty and Increased Penalties for Drug Offenses by The Brennan Center for Justice on Scribd