Press Statement- #DecrimPovertyDC -

Please enable JavaScript to view the full PDF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: M. Julien Goldstein, (202) 293- 9282 Community Liaison US Representative Dr. Oye Owolewa calls on DC Council to Introduce and Advance #DecrimPovertyDC’s Legislative Proposal for Decriminalization & Increased Investment in Public Health Washington, DC– US Representative Dr. Oye Owolewa publicly endorses the District of Columbia Drug Policy Reform Act, a legislative proposal put forth by the #DecrimPovertyDC coalition. The #DecrimPovertyDC coalition includes over 50 civil rights, public health, criminal legal system reform, drug policy, and faith groups who came together to replace carceral systems with harm reduction-oriented systems of care that promote the dignity, autonomy, and health of people who use drugs and other criminalized populations. Representative Owolewa joins more than four out of five (83%) District of Columbia voters, including at least three in four in every ward, and 24 ANC Commissioners in support for removing criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of drugs and investing in health services. “I’m proud to support such a long-overdue proposal,” says Representative Oye, “Public Health Policies should be person-centric, reflecting the humanity of the situations. This legislation, if passed, will no doubt save lives, and better reflect the values of our community. The policies surrounding public health should be grounded in science and facts. As a member of the healthcare profession, I am optimistic that this proposal will improve our communities.” The legislation and policies currently in place are failing our communities. With an estimated increase in fatal drug overdoses of 40% in the last year, it is clear that the current system is not working. Drug possession is the most arrested offense in the US, with one arrest every 23 seconds. The cost of policing these low-level offenses exceeds $4.28 billion nationally every year. The human cost of 600 Washingtonian lives lost to preventable fatal drug overdose is a policy failure that disportionately affects minorities. In 2021, DC lost more lives to drug overdose than to homicide. This crisis must be addressed urgently in order to save lives in the District. Representative Oye Owolewa stands with the #DecrimPovertyDC coalition. Release Date: May 18, 2022