Unitarian Universalist Association Breaks New Ground in Drug Policy Reform
Contact: Rose Deavers, communications director, UUDPR 301-270-1209/202-277-9447(cell)
Charles Thomas, executive director, UUDPR 301-938-1577
June 22, 2002 - The General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalists Association (UUA) passed a Statement of Conscience calling for "Alternatives to the War on Drugs." The religious denomination -representing more than 1,000 congregations throughout the United States - declared, "We do not believe that drug use should be considered criminal behavior."
The denomination, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, declared that "the consequences of the current drug war are cruel and counterproductive," and called for "alternatives that regard the reduction of harm as the appropriate standard by which to assess drug policies." (See www.uudpr.org for the full Statement.)
Specific proposals include:
- "Establish a legal, regulated, and taxed market for marijuana. Treat marijuana as we treat alcohol."
- "Remove criminal penalties for possession and use of currently illegal drugs, with drug abusers subject to arrest and imprisonment only if they commit an actual crime (e.g., assault, burglary, impaired driving, vandalism)."
- "Drug use, drug abuse, and drug addiction are distinct from one another. Using a drug does not necessarily mean abusing the drug, much less addiction to it. Drug abuse issues are essentially matters for medical attention. We do not believe that drug use should be considered criminal behavior."
- "Make all drugs legally available with a prescription by a licensed physician, subject to professional oversight. End the practice of punishing an individual for obtaining, possessing, or using an otherwise illegal substance to treat a medical condition," and allow "medically administered drug maintenance" as a treatment option for drug addiction.
This groundbreaking Statement of Conscience goes beyond what any other religious denomination has thus far adopted. Unitarian Universalists plan to encourage other people of faith to follow suit.
"We are hopeful that this powerful Statement will pave the way for other denominations to join the movement for more just and compassionate drug policies," said Charles Thomas, executive director of Unitarian Universalists for Drug Policy Reform, the denomination affiliate that facilitated the study and development of the Statement of Conscience.
"As Unitarian Universalists, we are called by our religious values to speak out against misguided policies," said the Rev. William Sinkford, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association. "The so-called 'war on drugs' is creating violence, endangering children, clogging the criminal justice system, eroding civil liberties, and disproportionately punishing people of color. It's time for a cease-fire."
