Drug Policy Alliance engages legislative and community leaders in New York, forming partnerships working to overhaul the state’s draconian Rockefeller Drug Laws and working towards a public health approach to drug policy in the City and State.

The need for significant reform is clear:

Blacks and Latinos make up 91% of those imprisoned under the Rockefeller laws -- the severity of which has sparked a movement for reform that includes the laws' original sponsors, lawmakers from around New York City and State, judges, members of the New York Bar Association, community leaders, civil rights activists, and clergy. As leaders in this coalition, the DPA has succeeded in shifting the dialogue surrounding Rockefeller reform, educating affected communities on the issue of reform.

Our efforts were successful in moving then Governor Pataki and the New York State Assembly to passing the first reforms to the Rockefeller Drug Laws in 2004. But it was not enough—much more needs to be done. New York's governor and legislature support reforming the Rockefeller Drug Laws and a number of reforms are pending despite the opposition by prosecutors.

In addition to our work on Rockefeller reform, DPA is committed to significant legislative reforms in New York State. We’ve been involved in efforts to make clean syringes more readily available, prevent overdose deaths, expand treatment opportunities for those seeking treatment, and increased availability of opiate replacement treatments.

For more information, please contact us at 212-613-8048 or nyc@drugpoliyc.org

Last Updated February 2008