No “back to normal” after COVID-19 for our failed drug policies

Abstract

Before COVID-19 pandemic, advocates had long urged drug policy reforms based on health, security, civil rights, racial justice, fiscal stewardship, and other considerations. In the United States, such calls went largely unanswered. In response to COVID-19, public health and occupational safety concerns have rapidly transformed some drug policies, along with their enforcement. Almost contemporaneously, nationwide protests against violence and racism by militarized police have highlighted the enduring legacy of the Drug War in fueling carceral systems. Disruption from these historical events provides a once-in-a-century opportunity to reconsider the legal architecture of drug policy and policing–both in the U.S. and elsewhere. Rather than returning to a fundamentally broken and inequitable status quo , we urge envisioning a new drug policy in service to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

COVID-19 and the health of people who use drugs: What is and what could be?

“…As highlighted by Del Pozo and Beletsky (2020) in this special issue, the increasing calls to abandon a culture of mass incarceration and focus on a “public health approach” to substance use provides an opportunity to drastically alter the focus of drug policy. Perhaps COVID-19 can afford policy adaptations towards enabling safer drug use environments.…”

“…For instance, in addition to the rapid depopulation of prisons, jails, and other detention settings and limiting drug-related arrests, COVID-19 might act as a resource for re-thinking policies in relation to drug treatment ( Del Pozo & Beletsky, 2020 ). As we have noted above, restrictions on prescribing of buprenorphine and methadone have been relaxed and increased opportunities for take-home doses have improved the flexibility and choice offered to people receiving drug treatment ( Del Pozo & Beletsky, 2020 ). We cannot afford to revert to the ways of thinking and doing prior to COVID-19 ( Del Pozo & Beletsky, 2020 ).…”

“…As we have noted above, restrictions on prescribing of buprenorphine and methadone have been relaxed and increased opportunities for take-home doses have improved the flexibility and choice offered to people receiving drug treatment ( Del Pozo & Beletsky, 2020 ). We cannot afford to revert to the ways of thinking and doing prior to COVID-19 ( Del Pozo & Beletsky, 2020 ). COVID-19 has prompted an urgency to adapt and innovate, and sustaining this momentum, whilst securing it into the future, becomes a key focus of public health and drug policy ( Del Pozo & Beletsky, 2020 ).…”

“…We cannot afford to revert to the ways of thinking and doing prior to COVID-19 ( Del Pozo & Beletsky, 2020 ). COVID-19 has prompted an urgency to adapt and innovate, and sustaining this momentum, whilst securing it into the future, becomes a key focus of public health and drug policy ( Del Pozo & Beletsky, 2020 ).…”

“…In this respect, Del Pozo and Beletsky (2020) begin to map the boundaries of possibility in relation to drug policy futures in the time of COVID-19. Working towards drug policies in the time of COVID-19 which orientate towards creating and preserving safer environments for health has affinity with the call made, in this special issue, by the International Network of People who Use Drugs ( Chang, Agliata, & Guarinieri, 2020 ).…”