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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.

ACLU of Virginia Offers Legal Aid to Methadone Clinics Barred From Opening Under New Law (03/03/2005)
RICHMOND, VA- The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia announced today that it will offer legal representation to methadone clinics prevented from opening because of a new state moratorium. The ACLU charges that the new law discriminates against recovering addicts who are denied the services offered by the clinics.

ACLU of PA Calls for Restoration of Funds for Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Rehabilitation (04/08/2003)
PHILADELPHIA -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania calls upon Governor Rendell and the Pennsylvania General Assembly to restore the $100 million for drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation that were sacrificed in the recently enacted spending plan. We think that it is critically important to all of the people of Pennsylvania that these vital services be properly funded.

Massachusetts Supreme Court Ruling Supports Needle Exchange Programs (12/06/2002)
BOSTON -- Citing compelling public health concerns, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts today ruled that members of lawful needle exchange programs may possess needles obtained from the programs throughout the Commonwealth, even in cities or towns that have not allowed the programs themselves to locate there.

CT Court is First in Nation to Protect Needle Exchange Program from Police Harassment (01/19/2001)
BRIDGEPORT, CT--In a national test case challenging the illegal harassment and arrest of participants in a Needle Exchange Program, a federal court in Connecticut has ruled that police may not interfere with a public health initiative that effectively combats disease through education and prevention.

Arizona Study Shows Drug Treatment Cuts Crime (04/21/1999)
PHOENIX, AZ -- Arizona's voter-approved program of sentencing nonviolent, first- and second-time drug offenders to treatment rather than prison reduces crime and saves tax money, according to a state Supreme Court study.