downsizing the "war on drugs"

[Glia]

Take a stand against the insanity of the so-called "War on Drugs" by e-mailing your California Assemblymember to put SB 649 on Gov. Brown's desk. SB 649 would reduce California's overcrowding in our prisons by allowing prosecutors to charge non-violent drug possession as a misdemeanor, rather than as a felony.

Click here: https://act.couragecampaign.org/sign...-mailAssembly/

The so-called "War on Drugs" has turned a public health problem into a multi-billion dollar taxpayer boondoggle. Sen. Mark Leno's Senate Bill 649, which has already passed the State Senate, would move California toward a smarter, humane, cost-effective justice system. It would reduce overcrowding in our prisons by allowing prosecutors to charge non-violent drug possession as a misdemeanor, rather than as a felony.

SB 649 would free up funds currently supporting jails to be used for drug treatment instead. Please note, sentencing for drug trafficking and more serious crimes would remain unchanged. Studies show that in the 13 states that classify non-violent drug possession as a misdemeanor, treatment rates are higher and incarceration rates are lower, with no increase in crime.

Tell your Assemblymember to put SB 649 on Gov. Brown's desk by clicking here.

Labeling someone a felon can hang over them for the rest of their life. It impacts their access to jobs, student loans, and housing, locking them into permanent status as a second-class citizen. Emily J. experienced this first hand. After serving time for non-violent drug possession, she made a clean start and focused on staying sober and finding work. For four and a half years, she worked as a driver transporting dialysis patients. She never missed work and even received an award as employee of the month.

One day, everything changed. She showed up to work and was fired for failing a background check. She lost everything simply because of a label: "felon."

Help put an end to California's crisis and right a societal wrong at the same time. Click here to take action!

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Courage Campaign is an online organizing network that empowers more than 750,000 grassroots and netroots activists to push for progressive change and full equality in California and across the country.

https://www.couragecampaign.org