#drug-policy

#drug-policy

Opioid overdose deaths are declining significantly, with around 70,655 reported deaths for the year ending June 2024, marking an 18% drop from 2023.

San Francisco saw a 54% decrease in overdose deaths in October 2024 compared to the previous year, marking the lowest count since reporting began in 2020.

Overdose deaths are increasing in Western states despite a national decline, partly due to fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Fianna Fáil leader supports decriminalizing drug possession for personal use, aligning with a health-led approach.

Decriminalizing drug possession is proposed to prevent deaths

A drug possession lawyer plays a key role in negotiating deals and advising clients on legal options.

Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. have seen a hopeful decline of 10.6%, signaling a potential turning point in the crisis.

Marijuana consumption surpasses alcohol in the United States for the first time, with many states legalizing it for medical and recreational use.

The national decline in overdose deaths masks ongoing crises in specific communities, particularly among marginalized groups.

The fentanyl supply may be decreasing in U.S. street markets, and experts are noting fewer overdoses as a result.

Overdose prevention centers in NYC significantly reduce drug use and save lives, prompting interest from other regions seeking similar solutions.

Safer supply programs are critical in addressing the opioid overdose crisis, focusing on providing safer alternatives to harmful drugs.

Voters are increasingly divided on drug legalization, with some initiatives failing despite significant public support.

Kamala Harris supports marijuana legalization and reform but her current stance as a presidential candidate remains unclear.

Marijuana legalization has made significant strides, yet substantial opposition and harsh penalties remain in several states.

Proposition 36 aims to increase penalties for theft and drug crimes, provoking debate on its impact on crime and racial disparities in incarceration.

Prop 36 seeks to increase sentences for drug and theft crimes, aiming to reduce drug-related fatalities and improve community safety.

Prop. 36 may increase deportation risks for immigrants by reclassifying certain offenses as felonies, prompting concerns among advocates about its community impact.

Proposition 36 threatens to reverse recent criminal justice reforms in California, igniting a debate over public safety and rehabilitation.

California's Proposition 36 aims to enhance penalties for repeat shoplifting and drug offenses, with strong public support but significant opposition.

Local Democratic officials are uniting to support Prop. 36, emphasizing rehabilitation and accountability in response to rising drug crimes and thefts.

The historical narratives around marijuana reveal deep-rooted myths that have influenced its criminalization, often rooted in racial and moral prejudice.

The DEA will move to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, following President Biden's initiative, amidst significant political pushback.

Despite a slight decline in national overdose deaths, regional trends show rising deaths, particularly in Western states and linked to fentanyl.

Oregon's experiment with decriminalizing hard drugs faced backlash due to a significant increase in overdose deaths.

The Ontario government's decision to close 10 drug consumption sites indicates a shift in addiction strategy, emphasizing community safety concerns over harm reduction.

Former mayors and advocates urge the government to maintain Toronto's safe consumption sites, vital for community safety amidst the overdose crisis.

The Kensington Market Overdose Prevention Site is crucial for community safety, helping to prevent overdose deaths, but faces closure due to provincial regulations.

Harm reduction is a framework that offers skills and strategies to those engaging in high-risk activities, including drug use, to keep them and their communities safe.

The dominant current drug treatment paradigm revolves around abstinence-only drug prevention education and abstinence-based drug treatment programs.

VP Harris emphasizes fentanyl crisis as a top priority, pledging enhanced law enforcement resources and targeting the global supply chain.

Harris's pledge marks the first clear commitment by a presidential nominee to legalize adult cannabis at the federal level.

Kofsky's online drug advocacy contradicts his political role advising a strong anti-drug policy advocate.

A JD Vance adviser has a history of discussing drug use on Reddit, raising questions about hypocrisy in Vance's drug policies.

Kofsky's online activities reveal a discrepancy between his drug use and Vance's anti-drug stance.

Aaron Kofsky's controversial online behavior raises concerns about his influence on JD Vance's financial policies.

Cannabis legalization is gaining traction across the United States, but various political obstacles hinder the process despite public support.

Germany's parliament expected to partly legalize cannabis, removing it from the banned substances list and allowing adults to possess 25g at one time.

The new legislation aims to reclaim the cannabis market from drug dealers, improve the quality of cannabis, and prioritize child and youth protection.

Oregon's experiment with drug decriminalization ended due to rising overdose rates, reverting to misdemeanor charges for small amounts of drugs.

Portland implements Measure 110 rollback, recriminalizing small drug amounts while integrating police-led diversion programs.

The Biden administration may reclassify marijuana to a less dangerous drug, fulfilling a promise and potentially aligning with young voters in 2024.

The Justice Department is proposing to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug.

Brooklyn District Attorney's office will no longer prosecute New Yorkers for possessing excessive amounts of cannabis due to ambiguities in New York's Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act.

The decision was influenced by a case where multiple cannabis-related charges were dismissed due to the law's unclear specifications on measuring cannabis weight.

Debate among candidates in San Francisco's District 5 election focuses on housing, law enforcement, and drug policy differences with incumbent Dean Preston.