Jeff j. Photo by Michelle/Getty Image.
Thomas c. By Higdon
The author is a person in the recovery and co-chair of the Maryland alliance on the use, treatment and recovery of drugs.
As a survivor of matter usage disorder, I have already seen the disastrous consequences of drug use – lost life, family was destroyed, and destroyed communities. However, after a hard look at the data, it is clear that the disadvantages associated with the use of drugs (eg, overdose, crime, poverty) are traditionally caused by long -term drug prohibition policies and/or increase.
To keep it clearly, the war on drugs has made only things worse. So I support the House Bill 1057 – a legislative proposal is being considered by the General Assembly which is being considered by the General Assembly which will create a task force to study the use of drugs in our state and make recommendations for a new way.
Drug Prohibition – 52 years failure!
President Nixon announced “war on drugs” about 52 years ago and has not been a cheap venture. To date, the United States has spent more than $ 1 trillion on drug interdiction and enforcement. And what did we get for that money? Since 1980, the number of people underdeveloped for drug -related crimes in the United States increased by 1,161%to 353,000 in 2023. It is higher than the population of Alegony, Caroline, Dorchester, Garate, Kent, Queen Anne, Somerset, Talbot, and Worster Counties.
However, during the same period, the use of the drug increased by 23% and overdose deaths increased by 1,141%. In 2023 alone, we lost an estimated 107,000 friends and loved ones to overdose death in our country, including more than 2,500 in Maryland. Obviously, drug prohibition is not working. Given the stakes of life-or-death, we only need to find out options beyond closing people.
Deciminalization works
In 2001, Portugal led the European Union in both drug use and deadly overdose. In response, he reduced the occupation of drugs and increased investment in treatment and social services. As a result, the number of people seeking treatment increased and the use of drugs and the rate of deadly overdose fell. As of 2019, Portugal’s use of drugs and deadly overdose rates were the lowest in the European Union.
In addition, there are many other benefits from decrying. Less life was destroyed by the collateral consequences of drug arrest, such as obstacles for employment, professional licensing, housing, financial assistance and government benefits. In addition, funds saved from low criminalization can be reinstated in other services such as voluntary treatment, housing, employment, loss of loss and colleague support.
What about Oregon?
In November 2020, Oregon voters passed the measurement 110, making it the first state to reduce drug possession. At the same time, the state redirected about $ 300 million for treatment and recovery aid services. Although it is very early to say whether Oregon will succeed as Portugal, initial results look promising. For example, in the first three quarters of the year under measurement 110, service providers reported to be used to use substance to over 47,000 people – this is an increase of 134%. Apart from this, the number of people receiving services also increased:
- Employment services increased by 365%
- Housing services increased by 190%
- Use of substance increased by 104%
Critics of deciminalization are in a hurry to indicate that the deadly overdose rate of Oregon has increased, which has increased since decrying. However, it is important to note that overdose has increased across the country and Oregon is doing better than many other states. In fact, in 2023, Oregon’s deadly overdose rate was lower than 17 other states – 7% less than Maryland, 34% less than Tennessee, and 66% less than West Virginia.
What’s next for Maryland?
Dikminalization worked in Portugal and is starting to work in Oregon. But this does not mean that Maryland should only copy those courts. Failing prohibition can cause more unexpected losses than negligent escape to change the polis. This is why the House Bill 1057 makes a task force to study the work done to work in other courts, learning from its mistakes. The bill will bring together law enforcement, public health, treatment providers, representatives of living experiences together, and more to detect options beyond closing people only.
The war on drugs has failed. The irony is that very policies have made only things worse to reduce the use of the drug. Apparently, we cannot arrest our way out of this problem. It is time that Maryland is more to identify that matter use disorder is a health issue that requires public health solution.
For these reasons, I urge every Marylander to contact their representatives in the General Assembly and urge them to pass House Bill 1057. We have to change the course before we die of failed drug war policies to our loved ones.
Hearing on the bill has been scheduled at 1 pm on Tuesday afternoon in the House Judiciary Committee.
Re -published