Drug Policy Alliance

About Drug Policy Alliance

The Drug Policy Alliance is the leading organization in the U.S. working to end the drug war, repair its harms, and build a non-punitive, equitable, and regulated drug market. We envision a world that embraces the full humanity of people, regardless of their relationship to drugs. We advocate that the regulation of drugs be grounded in evidence, health, equity, and human rights. In collaboration with other movements and at every policy level, we change laws, advance justice, and save lives.

Since 2000, the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) and our political and advocacy arm Drug Policy Action have led the way on creating cutting-edge policies that have fundamentally transformed the direction of drug policy in the U.S. and beyond. We have helped millions of people by expanding health services for those who use drugs and reducing the scope of the criminal legal system to prevent arrests and incarceration. We are leading the movement to treat drug use as a health issue, not a criminal problem.

Many of our most significant police victories were the first of their kind in the U.S. This includes a successful and growing national marijuana reform movement that centers racial equity. We made history in Oregon by decriminalizing personal possession of drugs for the first time ever in the United States, and dramatically expanding health and social services in the state. The countries first recognized overdose prevention centers in New York City are a result of years of advocacy by Drug Policy Alliance and our partners.

We currently prioritize the following core areas:

• Decriminalizing drugs, and investing in health.
• Ending civil punishment for people who use drugs.
• Reinvesting in communities harmed by the drug war.
• Legally regulating drugs, and safer supply to address the overdose crisis.
• Rethinking and reducing punishment for people in the drug trade.

We will do this by leading ambitious local, state, and national campaigns to change policies, by providing expertise to support the drafting and strategy for legislative efforts by fellow advocates, by funding and fostering partnerships that will build power across movements, and by mobilizing our base to save lives and advance justice. Every day, our movement grows, as more and more people realize that the drug war has failed and it’s time for a new approach. DPA has grown to 40 staff across the U.S.; an annual operating budget of approximately $12 million, and 200,000 members, activists, and supporters.

Under the leadership of Kassandra Frederique, the organization’s first Black Executive Director, DPA centers race and gender equity in its approach internally and externally. The culture of DPA is one referred to by staff as “smart,” “caring,” and “exciting.” The casual work environment supports creativity, big thinking, and innovation.

For more information, please visit our website at www.drugpolicy.org.