DECRIMINALIZE VERMONT
Building a Health-Based Approach to Drugs for Vermont
Our Coalition: Vermonters for Smarter Drug Policies
Decriminalize Vermont is a coalition of organizations and individual Vermonters committed to ending the harms of Vermont’s drug laws and promoting policies focused on health, equity, and human rights. Join us in working for a healthier, more compassionate future!
Vermont Moves Forward with Public Health Response to Overdoses
Overdose prevention centers have passed the legislature, and a pilot site is coming to the state. See why the research supports these centers.
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Poll: Strong Majority Supports Change
A recent poll conducted by Data for Progress and the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) shows that more than four out of five (84%) Vermont voters, including a majority across all major demographic groups and party affiliations, support removing criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of drugs, and strong majorities support other reforms.
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The Harms of Drug Arrests
Criminalizing people for drugs has been shown to harm people psychologically, physically, and economically, while creating barriers that make it harder to link people who need help with available services. Even the fear of arrest pushes many people away from services that may help them remain safe and healthier.
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Legislation We're Supporting
Policymakers around the world are realizing that removing criminal penalties for simple drug possession is effective, respectful of human rights, and better focuses resources on saving lives. Our proposal makes clear that we shouldn’t put people in handcuffs to get them help. View this and other legislation to reform Vermont’s drug laws.