On August 25, the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Nora Volkow, spoke again about harmful criminalization. Furthermore, she pointed out the lack of necessity for additional studies on the harm and racist impact criminalization has had specifically towards minorities. According to Director Volkow, “the evidence is straightforward and solid.”

“It is clear that the United States is currently reckoning with a long history of discriminatory and racist policies, many of which still continue today,” Volkow said. “The War on Drugs was no exception, and by incarcerating Black people at disproportionately high rates, it has had radiating effects into health, economic security and mobility, education, housing, families—areas intrinsically connected with the well-being and success of so many Black and other people of color.”

Necessary Changes

During her interview with BioMed Central, Director Volkow also discussed the fear society has created surrounding anything different. This includes mental health, physical disorders, addiction, and even skin color. The stigma with drug use and addiction is a deep part of culture and society around the world. Additionally, many diseases, such as mental health disorders, have also become stigmatized. The director explained, “as humans, we are taught to fear sickness, and to alienate what is different from us. But this is a losing proposition.”

“We all get sick, we all have needs, and we all benefit from a system that works to treat diseases and conditions with evidence-based care and compassion,” she continued. “Making this cognitive shift will likely be critical to achieving the political will to implement a widespread public health approach.”

“The risk of incarceration does not deter drug use, let alone address addiction; it perpetuates stigma, and disproportionately harms the most vulnerable communities.”

The next steps for society include offering decriminalization, affordable treatment options, and an overall sense of compassion, according to Director Volkow. 

“We must eliminate the attitudes and infrastructure barring treating people with substance use disorders… The science of the matter is unequivocal: Addiction is a chronic and treatable medical condition, not a weakness of will or character or a form of social deviance. But stigma and longstanding prejudices—even within healthcare—lead decision-makers across healthcare, criminal justice, and other systems to punish people who use drugs rather than treat them.”

Future

Regarding cannabis, 37 states have legalized medical cannabis. Additionally, 19 states now offer recreational cannabis. In recent states, social equity has been a huge component of legalization bills. Lawmakers seem determined to help right the wrongs of the racist war on drugs. Psychedelic decriminalization is also gaining attention across the states. Like Director Volkow believes, it seems the voice of the American people is changing. The War on Drugs is coming to an end.

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