It’s time for Connecticut to rethink its drug policy and role of law enforcement
In today’s Connecticut, no family is untouched by the cruel specter of substance use disorder and overdose.
The news of someone dying from a drug overdose has become a tragically common occurrence.
The rise in overdose deaths in Connecticut over the past decade is horrifying. In 2012, we lost 357 lives to drug overdoses. But a decade later, the situation has only worsened: By 2020, this number soared to 1,374. in 2021, we saw a further increase to 1,524 deaths, and in 2022, the figure remained distressingly high at 1,452. Every year, more people die from drug overdoses in Connecticut than from homicides, suicides and car accidents combined.
Traditional approaches to combating drug use, such as the War on Drugs, have become rooted in criminalization and punishment without addressing the root causes of drug addiction and harm. As a retired law enforcement officer and leader in the fight to combat the overdose epidemic, I am advocating for a more progressive and compassionate approach that considers the complex nature of drug use and puts public health and safety first.
Harm reduction is a viable strategy focused on minimizing the negative consequences associated with drug use. As we re-examine our drug policy and the role of law enforcement, it is becoming increasingly clear that harm reduction principles need to be integrated into policing to serve our communities better.
The War on Drugs has been largely unsuccessful in reducing drug use and associated harms, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. It has strained relations between law enforcement and the public and consumed enormous resources without significantly improving public health or safety. These shortcomings underscore the urgent need for a new direction in drug policy.
Harm reduction is a public health approach that prioritizes evidence-based interventions designed to reduce the risks associated with drug use. Recognizing that people will use drugs despite the potential risks, harm reduction seeks to tackle these harms head-on. Initiatives based on harm reduction principles have proven effective in reducing the spread of infectious diseases, preventing overdoses, and connecting people with substance use disorders to vital treatment and support services.
One common misconception about harm reduction is that it enables drug use. In reality, the primary goal of harm reduction is not to promote drug use but to promote health and safety. Research consistently supports this viewpoint. For instance, a review of multiple studies in the International Journal of Drug Policy (2017) found that harm reduction initiatives such as needle exchange programs and supervised consumption sites can lead to reductions in risky behavior and increase access to social services and healthcare. Moreover, these initiatives promote a supportive, non-judgmental environment, helping to reduce the stigma around addiction and facilitating pathways to recovery for people struggling with substance use disorders.
Furthermore, countries like Portugal and Switzerland have adopted harm reduction approaches, decriminalizing drug use and prioritizing treatment over punishment. The results are telling: in Portugal, drug mortality rates are among the lowest in Europe and new HIV cases due to injection drug use have plummeted. In Switzerland, the introduction of harm reduction programs, including heroin-assisted treatment, has significantly decreased drug-related crimes and deaths. These international examples, along with a wealth of research, reveal that harm reduction, far from enabling drug use, is a vital strategy in minimizing the harms associated with substance use and fostering healthier, safer communities.
As a retired police officer who specialized in narcotic investigations, I have seen first-hand what addiction and drug use does to families, loved ones, the community, and most importantly, the person who has a substance use disorder. I have witnessed this devastation, which is why I am not advocating for law enforcement to take a hands-off approach. I actually think law enforcement is an important stakeholder in addressing the overdose epidemic, and removing them from the answer is not only wrong but will be disastrous. Instead, I am advocating for a partnership between law enforcement and harm reduction to better serve our communities. Law enforcement agencies have much to gain by supporting harm reduction initiatives. By working with harm reduction organizations, police can contribute to community safety and well-being, build better relationships with marginalized communities affected by drug use, combat drug-related crime, and civil unrest, and access valuable resources and information to serve their communities better.
To cultivate this collaboration, strategies can include coordinated outreach efforts, police-assisted referrals to treatment and harm reduction services, joint training sessions, naloxone distribution and police training, and partnerships in education and community awareness campaigns.
Now is the time to rethink our drug policy and the role of law enforcement. By embracing the principles of harm reduction, we can foster a more compassionate and practical approach to addressing substance abuse and its associated consequences. Collaboration between law enforcement and harm reduction organizations can improve community well-being, promote public health and save lives.
As Connecticut residents, we must use our voices to push for change. I urge you to learn more about harm reduction strategies and to advocate for them in our local communities. Reach out to your elected representatives and ask them to support policies that prioritize harm reduction. Join community awareness campaigns or consider volunteering with harm reduction organizations.
We have the power to change the narrative surrounding drug addiction and make a tangible impact. The path to change begins with each one of us, and it’s a journey we must embark upon now. Let’s seize this opportunity for change and re-imagine how law enforcement approaches the overdose epidemic. The time to act is now.