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Statements of Support for the Attorney General’s Plan to Reclassify Simple Drug Possession from a Felony to a Misdemeanor

Here’s what people are saying about the AG’s plan:

 

Statements of Support for the Attorney General’s Plan to Reclassify Simple Drug Possession from a Felony to a Misdemeanor

Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey

“Many times simple possession charges are the result of another underlying issue, such as substance abuse or mental health. Felony charges – let alone convictions – can often send an individual’s life into a tailspin from which it is very difficult to recover. This reclassification legislation underscores our state’s commitment to criminal justice reform by prioritizing public health and more efficiently using public safety resources.”

 

Commissioner Steven M. Pare, Providence Department of Public Safety

“Drug addiction is a medical condition and should be treated by medical professionals, not with incarceration. Many people that suffer from drug addiction ends up in jail with a felony conviction on their record that makes it extremely difficult to get a job, obtain housing, and become healthy again. This initiative will give a hand to help those people break the addiction cycle and become healthy and prosperous. I thank the Attorney General for his leadership in this proposed legislation and will work through the complexities to ensure we incarcerate drug dealers, not drug users.”

Dr. Josiah “Jody” D. Rich, Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology,

Director of the Center for Prisoner Health and Human Rights and

a member of the National Academy of Medicine

“This proposed legislation takes an important step towards treating addiction as a disease instead of a crime. As a state and a nation, in the midst of this terrible epidemic of opioid use and overdoses, we need to focus our attention and resources on getting people into treatment, not driving them away from it by outlawing the very substances that are the very core of this disease. Addiction is not a disease that can be helped through punishment. I applaud the Attorney General for taking this important and bold step.”

Dr. Traci Green, Brown University and Boston University Medical Center

“Addiction is a chronic disease that can be treated with medicine and compassion, making remission and recovery possible. For far too long we have criminalized disease, and research tells us that is ineffective and makes matters far worse for the patient, their family, and the community. Felony arrests or convictions impede that path to wellness by restricting things as fundamental as finding and keeping a job or housing which we know are essential to centering and stabilizing people. We applaud Attorney General Neronha for his courage and leadership on this important issue–it’s not just good policy, it’s good public health.”

Lisa Conlan, Executive Director of Parent Support Network of Rhode Island

“Parent Support Network of Rhode Island and our HOPE Recovery Community Center of Newport County wholeheartedly supports the Attorney General’s proposed amendment to the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The present and longstanding policies and laws to address the addiction epidemic are ineffective and counterproductive. The legislation would aid greatly to shift the approach to a public health centered focus. Rhode Islanders with substance use disorders would have a major barrier to sustained recovery removed with the reclassification.”

Annajane Yolken, Haley McKee, and Lisa Peterson, Co-Chairs of the

Substance Use Policy, Education, and Recovery PAC

“The Substance Use Policy, Education, and Recovery PAC is pleased to stand with Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha in support of the reclassification of simple possession of controlled substances. Mass incarceration stemming from the ‘War on Drugs’ has destroyed lives and communities, and felony convictions create significant barriers to individuals in recovery long after their sentence is complete. Reclassification has already shown strong positive outcomes in other states. By taking this step, Rhode Island will show its commitment to supporting evidence-based treatment interventions instead of more of the same failed approaches. The substance use and overdose crisis has hit our state particularly hard, and we are fortunate to have leaders such as Attorney General Neronha who prioritize effective solutions.”

 

Marcela Betancur, Director of Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University

“The Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University strongly supports the legislation introduced by Attorney General, Peter F. Neronha to reclassify simple drug possession from a felony to a misdemeanor. The disproportionate effects that mass incarceration has had in our state and nation go beyond prison time. It has effectively disenfranchised individuals and families from basic services such as housing, employment, licensing, student aid, and other public assistance. Such exclusions permanently relegate millions of Americans to second-class status, disproportionately people of color. Incarceration is not an effective response to drug use or abuse. Instead, it leads to overcriminalization, racial disparities, and is costly. States that have taken proactive action of reclassifying drug possession have seen an average of 6% decline in their state’s prison population, as well as millions of dollars in savings. It is time for Rhode Island to join these states and refocus its energy and investment in substance abuse treatment, public education, and support for families and formerly incarcerated individuals.”

 

 

 

Eileen Hayes, President/CEO of Amos House

“Amos House is proud to stand in support with Attorney General Peter Neronha as he proposes legislation that will reduce simple drug possession from a felony to a misdemeanor charge. Each year we work with hundreds of men and women who are trying to restart their lives through recovery, employment and housing. These men and women have spent years in and out of prison in a cycle of addiction, incarceration, homelessness and re-incarceration, mostly due to their inability to get a second chance because of the long rap sheets they carry. These individuals want to become active members of society. They have great remorse for the pain and hurt they have caused their loved ones, but the road to a new life has been fraught with challenges. We have seen our community members get turned down for jobs they are qualified and capable of doing because of felony charges on their records.  On the other hand, we have seen many of these same individuals stay out of prison when they get help to find a job, reunite with families and children, and find permanent housing. We agree with the Attorney General that individuals imprisoned for simple drug charges need access to recovery, housing, and employment. We further believe that they need access to a recovery community where they can realize their potential and be rewarded for their accomplishments. Amos House is one such community where close to 50% of our staff are in recovery and have criminal drug charges as part of their stories. I applaud Attorney General Neronha on this sensible and brave legislation.”

Mary S. McElroy, Rhode Island Public Defender

“The Rhode Island Public Defender (RIPD) proudly lends its enthusiastic support to Attorney General Peter Neronha’s thoughtful legislative effort to make the simple possession of small quantities of controlled substances, with the exception of marijuana a felony under current law, a misdemeanor. If enacted into law Rhode Island would join a growing number of forward thinking jurisdictions that have already done so including Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming as well as the federal system. By doing so these jurisdictions have enhanced public safety by diverting scarce resources from less serious to the successful investigation and prosecution of more serious crimes while also enhancing the possibility of successful rehabilitation and re-entry of minor offenders. Making simple possession of small amounts of controlled substances a misdemeanor is a step in the right direction that not only embraces the proven effectiveness of the “Public Health Model” in addressing the problem of addiction but would also serve to speed successful rehabilitation and re-entry of offenders while also enhancing public safety. The RIPD wishes to express its appreciation of the Attorney General’s leadership on this important issue.”

Ian Knowles, Program Director of RICares

“RI Communities for Addiction Recovery (RICares) wholeheartedly supports the Attorney General’s proposed amendment to the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The present and longstanding policies and laws to address the addiction epidemic are ineffective and counterproductive. The legislation would aid greatly to shift the approach to a public health centered focus. Rhode Islanders with substance use disorders would have a major barrier to sustained recovery removed with the reclassification.”

 

 

Brenda Clement, Director of Housingworks RI

“Affordable and safe housing is critical for addiction recovery.  Reducing barriers to help individuals attain housing is a step in the right direction.”

Jennifer L. Wood, Executive Director of Center for Justice

“The legislation introduced at the request of the Attorney General to reclassify simple possession of a controlled substance other than marijuana as a misdemeanor is a very important and positive step toward a more evidence-based drug policy for the State of Rhode Island.   The R.I. Center for Justice represents Rhode Islanders each year who are harmed by the collateral consequences of a felony conviction for simple possession, mostly in the areas of housing and employment.  The adverse consequences of a felony conviction for simple possession to housing stability and employment are severe and sustained.  The economic and social damage to families and children are significant and are extremely damaging to the individuals and families directly affected, the broader community and the State of Rhode Island.  This important legislation will improve lives and enable more effective policies to address addiction and recovery.”