New Directions for NY: Changing the War on Drugs to a Healthy Public

New Directions for New York:
A Public Health and Safety Approach to Drug Policy

A State and City City-focused Conference hosted by:

The New York Academy of Medicine and the Drug Policy Alliance and featuring FREE! Spokesperson, Cheri O'Donoghue, convened a successful conference to develop new policy solutions that take advantage of existing, effective public health and safety tools in our city and state. The New Directions for New York conference encouraged participants to develop concrete intervention and policy proposals for New Yorkers affected by substance use and misuse.

Following historic hearings convened by the New York State Assembly last May to examine a public health approach to drug policy. In a rare occurrence, the hearings were conducted jointly by six Assembly Committees -- three from the field of criminal justice (Codes,Corrections, and Judiciary), and three from public health (Health, Alcoholism and Drug Addiction, and Social Services). The hearings brought together a wide array of stakeholders to discuss and explore what a coordinated public health approach to drug policy would look like. Together we can develop public health-oriented approaches to our drug policies that save lives, reduce the harms associated with drug misuse, enhance public safety, and conserve our scarce tax dollars.

Didn't hear about the Hearings! Don't be surprised! Many of these forums and proceedings occur without the knowledge nor input of the people who matter most - those most directly impacted by mass incarceration - people like you!

Join FREE! as we develop our OWN platforms for making sure our voices are heard and are part of important policy conversations that determine what our futures, and the futures of our loved ones behind bards will hold!

Call or write to us about our Media Justice project and be part of the solution! 718-706-0195 or prisonfamz@gmail.com