Home : Drug Policy

Cracks in the System: 20 Years of the Unjust Federal Crack Cocaine Law (10/26/2006)
A comprehensive examination of the 100-to-1 crack versus powder cocaine sentencing disparity under which distribution of just 5 grams of crack carries a minimum 5-year federal prison sentence, while distribution of 500 grams of powder cocaine carries the same 5-year mandatory minimum sentence.

Making Sense of Student Drug Testing: Why Educators Are Saying No (01/12/2006)
The experts agree, and the evidence is clear! Random drug testing does not reduce drug use among young people. Spending millions on testing students' urine will only destroy relationships between youth and adults. The second edition of this booklet demonstrates the key flaws in random student drug testing and outlines promising alternatives to the invasive and expensive practice.

Caught in the Net: The Impact of Drug Policies on Women and Families (03/15/2005)
In this report, the ACLU, Break the Chains and the Brennan Center for Justice advocate for fair drug laws and policies that adequately take into account the needs of women and their families, and address the root causes of women's involvement with illegal drugs.

Drug Testing in Schools: Policies, Practices, and Association with Student Drug Use (08/06/2004)
Authored by Ryoko Yamguchi, Lloyd D. Johnston, and Patrick M. O'Malley, this report from the YES Occasional Papers series presents updated findings of the largest study ever of the effectiveness of student drug testing policies and concludes that student drug testing is ineffective.

Race and the War on Drugs Endnotes (10/17/2003)
This page contains a complete list of sources cited in the ACLU position paper: Race and the War on Drugs, May 2003.

Race & the War on Drugs (10/17/2003)
This ACLU position paper argues that the United States cannot and should not tolerate laws that systematically target communities of color. Yet, this is precisely the outcome of the current War on Drugs. The time has come to reverse course in a disastrous, ineffective, and racist approach to drug law enforcement.

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.

Collateral Consequences of the War on Drugs (01/27/2003)
An ACLU paper examining some of the collateral consequences of current U.S. drug policy, including loss of student financial aid, public housing, welfare eligibility and the right to vote.