The drug overdose crisis, housing crisis, structural racism and the HIV epidemic have deeply damaged Pennsylvania communities, especially those already heavily policed and under-resourced. Amidst these crises, our state and city have failed to take meaningful steps towards supporting the health and wellness of the communities most impacted.

READ THE LETTER, INCLUDING OUR DEMANDS, TO STATE AND LOCAL LAW MAKERS

Pennsylvania is one of only twelve states that do not implicitly or explicitly authorize syringe services programs (SSPs) through statute or regulation and are widely considered to be illegal outside of Allegheny and Philadelphia counties. Even in Philadelphia, where SSPs can operate legally, this proven harm reduction practice is under attack. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and the “Kensington Caucus” in City Council have threatened to end city funding for syringe exchange and have been working to push harm reduction organizations out of Kensington. 

We are poised to replicate the failures of the racist “war on drugs” by relying on policing, incarceration and forced treatment to address drug use. When our state and local government increases spending on police, prison and detention, funds are diverted from substance use treatment, harm reduction services, and other community-based resources that could prevent overdoses and improve overall community wellbeing. Sign on to join us in telling the Mayor, City Council, and state lawmakers that it is time to invest in health care, human rights and harm reduction.

Fill in this form to sign on to THIS LETTER TO STATE AND LOCAL LAW MAKERS!