American Civil Liberties Union

Drug Policy:
The ACLU Drug Law Reform Project is a division of the national ACLU. Our goal is to end punitive drug policies that cause the widespread violation of constitutional and human rights, as well as unprecedented levels of incarceration.


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Drug Policy : Health-Based Solutions : Press Releases view all

ACLU Applauds Governor for Signing Texas’ First Needle Exchange Bill (06/14/2007)
AUSTIN – The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas today applauded Governor Rick Perry for signing a Medicaid reform bill authorizing the first legal needle exchange program in Texas. The new law brings Texas up to date with most other states in the nation by starting a safe, legal needle exchange pilot program in Bexar County this fall.

ACLU Defends Sponsor of Marijuana Initiative from Attack by Santa Barbara City Council (05/08/2007)
SANTA BARBARA, CA – Citing California’s ban on strategic lawsuits against public participation (“SLAPP”), the American Civil Liberties Union today moved to dismiss a legal challenge brought by the Santa Barbara City Council seeking to thwart a new law, enacted through voter initiative, that directs police to focus resources on violent and serious crime by making marijuana use the lowest law enforcement priority. The Council’s lawsuit was brought against the initiative’s sponsor based solely on her participation in the political process.

ACLU Wins Expanded Protections for Needle Exchange Participants (06/01/2006)
BRIDGEPORT, CT – The American Civil Liberties Union today welcomed a ruling by a federal court expanding protections to needle exchange program participants. The court expanded the scope of a previous order, which prohibited the Bridgeport Police Department from harassing or arresting individuals who possess needles, ruling that other forms of injection equipment are protected as well.

New Report Challenges Rhode Island Drunk Driving Statistics (01/09/2006)
PROVIDENCE, RI -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island today released a 35-page report that challenges recent highly publicized claims about Rhode Island's high alcohol fatality accident rate and the accompanying push for punitive drunk driving legislation at the State House this year. The report was released at a news conference today at which the ACLU and the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Association of Rhode Island (DATA) called for an emphasis on treatment and other non-punitive measures to address the problem of drunk driving.

Drug Policies are Destroying Families, Groups Charge (03/17/2005)
NEW YORK -- The ACLU, Break the Chains: Communities of Color and the War on Drugs, and the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law today released a report that compiles for the first time existing research on the effects of current drug laws and sentencing policies on women and their families. The report, Caught in the Net: the Impact of Drug Policies on Women & Families, is co-authored by the three organizations and is being launched at a national conference of experts on issues relating to women, families and drugs at NYU School of Law on March 17th and 18th.

Drug Policy : Health-Based Solutions : Publications

Ending Discrimination Against People with Alcohol and Drug Problems (05/02/2003)
This report includes principles and recommendations developed by a national policy panel. Graham Boyd, Director of the ACLU Drug Law Reform Project, served as a panelist.

Drug Policy : Health-Based Solutions : Legal Documents view all

Doe v. Bridgeport - Court Order Denying ACLU Motion for Contempt (05/31/2006)
A court order denying the ACLU's motion for contempt against the Bridgeport Police Department for failure to respect a previous court order barring harassment or arrest of individuals for possessing syringes. The court did, however, chastise the Department for failure to diligently adhere to the order.

Doe v. Bridgeport - Order Expanding Protection to Include General Injection Equipment (05/31/2006)
A court order expanding a previous ruling to protect the possession of not only syringes, but general injection equipment.

Doe v. Bridgeport - Post-Trial Brief in Support of Motion for Contempt (02/03/2006)
An ACLU brief reviewing the evidence submitted during trial and in support of the ACLU's initial motion seeking a contempt order against the Bridgeport Police Department for violating an injunction barring interference with the operations of a local needle exchange or harassment of individuals for possessing injection equipment.

Doe v. Bridgeport - Motion for Contempt (09/28/2005)
The ACLU's motion seeking a contempt order against the Bridgeport Police Department for violating an injunction barring interference with the operations of a local needle exchange or harassment of individuals for possessing injection equipment.

ACLU Complaint in Scott v. Bevard (05/08/2002)

Drug Policy : Health-Based Solutions : Fact Sheets

Needle Exchange Programs Promote Public Safety (05/31/2006)
A fact sheet on the relation between infectious disease and injection drug use, and the related utility of needle exchange programs to advance public safety.

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