Drug War and Drug Policy

Extracting heroin from poppies on April 10, 1978, in Los Angeles, Calif.

A Metaphysical Memoir of Heroin A Metaphysical Memoir of Heroin

Michael Clune’s White Out is among the most intense and intellectually thrilling books on opiate addiction.

Jan 8, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Daniel Kolitz

A person holds drug paraphernalia near the Washington Center building on SW Washington St. in downtown Portland, Ore., on April 4, 2023.

We Need to Modify—Not Trash—Oregon’s Trailblazing Drug Decriminalization Law We Need to Modify—Not Trash—Oregon’s Trailblazing Drug Decriminalization Law

Measure 110 made Oregon the first in country to decriminalize all drugs. The law was poorly implemented and should be changed, not discarded.

Dec 22, 2023 / Column / Sasha Abramsky

A black and white photo of two people handing out Narcan.

In Defense of Drug Decriminalization—Yes, in Oregon In Defense of Drug Decriminalization—Yes, in Oregon

By passing Measure 110, Oregonians sought to begin undoing the harms caused by over 50 years of a failed War on Drugs. Those harms won’t be fixed overnight.

Sep 8, 2023 / Abdullah Shihipar, Alexandria Macmadu, and Brandon D.L. Marshall

A Black man holds a sign reading,

Will the Opioid Crisis Deliver Its Worst Harms to Black and Brown People? Will the Opioid Crisis Deliver Its Worst Harms to Black and Brown People?

It started as a crisis among white people. But now that overdoses are surging in Black and Brown communities, government is failing to invest in the healthcare-based approaches tha...

Aug 28, 2023 / Helena Hansen, Jules Netherland, and David Herzberg

president joe biden and son hunter biden hug after a speech

The Real Hunter Biden Scandal The Real Hunter Biden Scandal

Joe Biden’s empathy is admirable. But it shouldn’t just be reserved for family.

Aug 18, 2023 / Jeet Heer

US Attorney General Merrick B. Garland addresses the findings of a Justice Department investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department during a press conference in Minneapolis, Minn., on June 16, 2023.

The Federal Government Is “Affirming Everything That Black People Have Been Saying” The Federal Government Is “Affirming Everything That Black People Have Been Saying”

The Department of Justice report slamming the Minneapolis Police Department is also a cause for hope.

Jun 22, 2023 / Ibrahim Hirsi

Protesters at a rally for Banko Brown outside of the San Francisco district attorney's office on May 17, 2023.

The Killing of Banko Brown Shows What San Francisco’s Real Crisis Looks Like The Killing of Banko Brown Shows What San Francisco’s Real Crisis Looks Like

A Black, trans, unhoused man was shot to death by a security guard. The DA refused to press charges. Why isn't the national media paying attention?

May 23, 2023 / Toshio Meronek

Chicago’s Rich Organizing Tradition Paid Off, Delivering Victory for Brandon Johnson

Chicago’s Rich Organizing Tradition Paid Off, Delivering Victory for Brandon Johnson Chicago’s Rich Organizing Tradition Paid Off, Delivering Victory for Brandon Johnson

The Windy City's first movement mayor faces a formidable array of challenges, testing him and the coalition that brought him into office.

Apr 13, 2023 / Barbara Ransby

Chicago mayoral candidates Brandon Johnson, left, and Paul Vallas

Chicago’s Election Will Shape the Future of Public Safety in America Chicago’s Election Will Shape the Future of Public Safety in America

Paul Vallas promises that he’ll grow the police force. Brandon Johnson says that to build safety, he’ll “invest in people.” What does that mean, and what are voters choosing betwee...

Mar 31, 2023 / Eric Reinhart

Ras Baraka in front a large group of uniformed fire fighters

The Future of Public Safety Is Here in Newark The Future of Public Safety Is Here in Newark

The New Jersey city is now home to an ecosystem of funded programs that reduce violence while tackling the factors that drive violence and criminalized behavior—and it’s working.

Mar 20, 2023 / Jamila Hodge

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