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Drug Law Convictions and Punishments
The Basics
A drug law conviction can result in the loss of employment, property, financial aid for college, the right to vote and more.
65 million people with criminal records are potentially barred from employment in the U.S.
Incarcerating people for nonviolent drug offenses just destroys lives, because with a criminal conviction under your belt, it isn’t easy to get a job, and you’re not eligible for student loans. That doesn’t leave a lot of legal options open for a productive life.
Punishment for a drug law violation is not only meted out by the criminal justice system, but is perpetuated by policies denying child custody, voting rights, employment, business loans, trade licensing, student aid and even public housing and other public assistance. Criminal records are also cited as reason to deport immigrants and bar other noncitizens from visiting the United States. These barriers, like drug war enforcement itself, fall disproportionately on individuals and communities of color. Relative to the crime being committed, the punishments for drug law violations are unjustifiably harsh and cause more harm than the drug itself. The Drug Policy Alliance is working to end the marginalization of people for a drug law violation. We are committed to ending policies and practices that assign permanent second-class status to people with drug convictions.
