Vote TODAY: Senate rushing to escalate the drug war

From Drug Policy Alliance:

As soon as this afternoon, the U.S. Senate could vote on a bill that would escalate the drug war by expanding the ability of states to drug test people who file for unemployment insurance. If it passes, it will go to President Trump to be signed into law.

This is our last chance to block it before the vote. Urge your Senators to oppose this harmful legislation.

The vast majority of people who receive unemployment insurance and other public assistance do not use drugs. But more importantly, drug testing programs have been proven again and again to accomplish nothing. They often have faulty results and waste millions of tax dollars.

Instead of following the evidence, Congress is stigmatizing vulnerable people looking for jobs to ramp up the failed drug war.

This is shameful, especially considering that members of Congress rushing to pass this legislation have claimed it will help people who struggle with addiction to opioids and other substances.

Yet most states that have tried these kind of drug testing programs don’t even offer or fund treatment for people who struggle with substance use.

In addition to being ineffective, harmful, and a complete waste of money, mandatory drug testing by states has been deemed illegal and unconstitutional by the courts time and again.

Contact your Senators immediately and tell them to oppose this attempt to escalate the drug war.

And follow-up with a call to your Senators. Find their phone numbers here and you can say:

As a constituent, I am calling to urge my Senator to oppose H.J. Res. 42 which would expand state drug testing of people who file for unemployment insurance. The vast majority of people who receive unemployment insurance and other public assistance do not use drugs. But more importantly, drug testing programs have been proven again and again to accomplish nothing. They often have faulty results, and waste millions of tax dollars. Please oppose H.J. Res. 42. Thank you.

We are doing everything we can to stop this bill from becoming law. But we’re counting on you to help us.