A litany of advocates, lawmakers and people with direct experience in the state’s carceral system pushed back Monday against the levels of spending for incarceration and law enforcement in Gov. Janet Mills’ budget proposal, calling for Maine to employ a different approach that helps those who are struggling rather than criminalizing people and locking them| Maine Beacon - A project of the Maine People's Alliance
Over 500 Mainers. That’s how many people died of drug overdoses in 2020, setting a new record in the state. Pointing to that grim tally and the large number of people incarcerated for drug-related charges, lawmakers, doctors and Mainers in recovery from substance use disorder argued Friday that criminalizing drug possession is not working, urging| Maine Beacon - A project of the Maine People's Alliance
The global war on drugs is a failure and should be replaced by decriminalization strategies grounded in science, health, security and human rights, according to a recent report by the Global Commission on Drug Policy. “Repressive efforts directed at consumers impede public health measures to reduce HIV/AIDS, overdose fatalities and other harmful consequences of drug […]| The Leadership Conference Education Fund