Substance Abuse 1991 General Resolution

BECAUSE Unitarian Universalists affirm the worth and dignity of every individual; and

BECAUSE we affirm justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; and

WHEREAS substance abuse is a prevalent response to economic, social, and psychological realities;

WHEREAS substance abuse is hazardous to individuals and society;

WHEREAS attempts to deal with substance abuse which do not address the underlying causes of abuse must ultimately fail;

WHEREAS the United States' "War on Drugs," which emphasizes the interdiction of supply and criminalization of use, has:

  1. not been effective;
  2. fostered an illegal market with criminal side effects as harmful as the addictions themselves;
  3. resulted in violations of civil liberties;
  4. resulted in interference in the internal affairs of other countries; and
  5. wasted resources which could have been used for education, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation; and
WHEREAS decriminalization and legalization of controlled substances are subjects of debate in the United States;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Unitarian Universalist Association encourage its member congregations and individual Unitarian Universalists in the United States to call upon the United States government to change the emphasis of its "War on Drugs";

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Unitarian Universalist Association, its member congregations, and individual Unitarian Universalists be urged to call upon all people and governments to:

  1. address the underlying economic, social, and psychological conditions which give rise to substance abuse;
  2. increase education on the hazards of substance abuse;
  3. increase research on effective methods of prevention and treatment;
  4. increase funding for treatment and rehabilitation of substance abusers; and
  5. enable growers in source countries to replace drug crops with other economically rewarding crops;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Unitarian Universalist Association promote the examination of the ethical and social ramifications of decriminalization and legalization of controlled substances; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Unitarian Universalist Association, through its Departments of Social Justice and Religious Education, develop educational materials for all ages about substance abuse; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Unitarian Universalist Association, its member congregations, and individual Unitarian Universalists be encouraged to facilitate drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs and promote their formation in their communities, offering subsidized meeting rooms when possible.