Drug War and Drug Policy

LA County women's jail

How California’s Prison Reform Law Will Fight Overincarceration of Women How California’s Prison Reform Law Will Fight Overincarceration of Women

Prop 47 offers relief to Californians punished for low-level, nonviolent crimes of poverty, which means it could be especially beneficial for women caught up in the criminal justic...

Nov 12, 2014 / Dani McClain

Racism Drove the Backlash Against Gary Webb

Racism Drove the Backlash Against Gary Webb Racism Drove the Backlash Against Gary Webb

Attacks on Gary Webb were  about discredting an African American movement in Los Angeles as it was about his revelations.

Nov 7, 2014 / Greg Grandin

Will Washington, DC, Legalize Pot?

Will Washington, DC, Legalize Pot? Will Washington, DC, Legalize Pot?

Polls show strong support for an initiative there. And it’s on the ballot in Oregon and Alaska, too.

Oct 29, 2014 / Nushin Rashidian

By 2030, American Prisons Will Be Filled With Grandmas and Grandpas

By 2030, American Prisons Will Be Filled With Grandmas and Grandpas By 2030, American Prisons Will Be Filled With Grandmas and Grandpas

How this country’s “tough on crime” ethos created a generation of graying inmates.

Oct 27, 2014 / Kate Cox

Massacre in Mexico

Massacre in Mexico Massacre in Mexico

The murder of students in Guerrero is raising questions once again about the complicity of law enforcement and public officials in Mexico's drug wars.

Oct 24, 2014 / Laura Carlsen and Foreign Policy In Focus

Jail Time Is a Terrible Way to Treat Substance Abuse

Jail Time Is a Terrible Way to Treat Substance Abuse Jail Time Is a Terrible Way to Treat Substance Abuse

By facilitating access to treatment and services, Seattle’s drug-enforcement program actually helps those suffering from substance abuse, while revolutionizing criminal justice.

Oct 16, 2014 / Kara Dansky

Maricopa County's Tent City jail in Phoenix.

What Happens When A City Decides to Offer Addicts Services, Not Prison Sentences? What Happens When A City Decides to Offer Addicts Services, Not Prison Sentences?

Inspired by Seattle, Santa Fe adopts the LEAD program to divert people arrested for drug possession away from the criminal justice system and into treatment.

Oct 15, 2014 / Aaron Miguel Cantú

Mental Illness, Homelessness, Drug Addiction: Do These Sound Like Crimes?

Mental Illness, Homelessness, Drug Addiction: Do These Sound Like Crimes? Mental Illness, Homelessness, Drug Addiction: Do These Sound Like Crimes?

Why are we letting these serious social problems be handled by the criminal justice system?

Oct 9, 2014 / Mychal Denzel Smith

Washington Snubs Bolivia on Drug Policy Reform, Again

Washington Snubs Bolivia on Drug Policy Reform, Again Washington Snubs Bolivia on Drug Policy Reform, Again

Bolivia has found a way to cut coca production without sacrificing the leaf's cultural importance or cracking down on small growers. But Washington's not having it.

Sep 22, 2014 / Zoe Pearson, Thomas Grisaffi, and Foreign Policy In Focus

The End of Reefer Madness?

The End of Reefer Madness? The End of Reefer Madness?

An examination into our broken cannabis policy is well overdue—and should be about more than just marijuana.

Aug 4, 2014 / Katrina vanden Heuvel

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