Leaders in many cities have realized that decriminalizing hard drugs was a mistake. Oregon, for instance, has recriminalized hard drug possession after a surge in overdoses and violent crime. San Francisco is also cracking down on public drug use, reversing years of lax policies that allowed the city to descend into chaos. Other cities and states, including Washington, D.C., Washington state, and Boston, have also taken steps to enforce drug laws. Addiction is a serious problem, but policymakers cannot let their empathy for those struggling with addiction blind them to the dangers of drug use. Fentanyl, in particular, is a deadly narcotic that is responsible for a large number of overdose deaths. My Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act would hold drug dealers accountable by lowering the amount of fentanyl they can possess before facing a mandatory minimum sentence. Overdose deaths don’t make cities more livable, and open-air drug use doesn’t make communities safer. Fair and clear penalties help stop people from hurting themselves and their neighbors. I hope more cities and states admit this and correct their dangerous policies before more Americans fall victim to drugs and stupidity.
Drug Policy Reversals Signal Shift Away from Decriminalization
