Advocating for Changes in Drug Policy: Strategies and Allies

How to Advocate for Changes in Drug Policy Glenn Backes Public Policy Research & Consulting Sacramento, California GlennBackes@mac.com, 916-202-2538

What? Where? Who?

What do you want to change? Compassionate and proven public health solutions Good Samaritan Naloxone Distribution To drug users in the community To drug users in jail Drug users in or leaving treatment To family members and friends Better treatment access and better treatment Overdose Prevention Centers Syringe/pipe access

What do you want to change? Better education for parents and youth counterfeit pills Diversion from lock-up to treatment After conviction? Before conviction or plea Before arrest (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) Sentencing reform Less time Downgrading felonies to misdemeanors Misdemeanors to infractions? Decriminalization

Where do you want to make a change? Local policies City County or Parish State policies Native nation (for example, Navaho or Zuni) Regulations Organization

Who Legislature + Governor or President City Counsel + Mayor (City Manager) County/Parish Supervisors Exec Director Agency Head

Allies Broken No More Drug Policy Alliance ACLU National Harm Reduction Coalition New Mexico SAFE Public Health Officials or Associations Medical and Nurses Associations Medical Schools Public Health Schools . Who else?

Allies Law Enforcement Action Partnership Faith PTA Parents Groups Veterans LGBTQ Reproductive Health Bold Futures in ABQ Democratic Party Republic Party .. Who else .. Unlikely partners

Its a campaign It s a campaign. It s not one bill. It s not one budget item. It s years of work. It s about building relationships and credibility. It s a campaign. Keep building. Keep Grinding. Take breaks as needed. Pass the baton.

Its a campaign You need to pitch a lawmaker, make them feel it, make them believe A mix of Emotion Data Cost-benefit Keep it short: 2-page pitch Backup documents An alliance

Its a campaign Materials The one or two page memo does it for most offices. What the bill does Why? (evidence) What will it cost? (or save?) List of supporters (core active support and others) Committee or Governor s staff get more All the studies and reports

Its a campaign Common question from lawmaker: Have you talked to the agency? What bills/budget actions have been done before that are related, and what was the outcome? Is this being done anywhere in this state or elsewhere, or are we the first? Who may oppose? Have you done outreach to any likely opponents?

Its a campaign Committee lobbying Provide staff all the evidence in advance Meet with them in advance Be ready for some amendments Hearings -- How are they done where you live? If you are allowed 2 witnesses, who do you like for the job? If you are allowed 3 witnesses? Public comment?

Its a campaign Advance work > BEATS > Committee hearings (usually)

Its a campaign New Mexico things: Very short sessions you need to see your lawmaker/author/sponsor during the interim, or minimum months before 30 day budget session 60 day legislative Interim hearing Drug Policy Alliance in NM, Emily Kaltenbach ekaltenbach@drugpolicy.org

Pro tips Keep it brief One or two page Start with the Ask (like an Executive Summary) If there is a budget need, rationalize your numbers on one page Be specific (if you have lawyers who can draft, have them draft) Bring family experts, MD or PhD experts, and if possible, seasoned political allies

Pro tips Don t flake. Make life easy on the lawmaker and their staff Build relationships Lawmakers they re not all alike Lobbyist? Lobbyists know the process They know key people But there are not required you can do this

Pro-tip It s the advance work, more than the hearings In the weeks or days leading up to a vote in committee, seek appointments with the staff to each member or that committee In the weeks and days leading up to floor votes, the same

Media !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TONY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pushing back on bad ideas Examples of bad policy pushed by law enforcement and some parent/citizen groups Drug induced homicide - when a person dies accidentally of a drug overdose, the person who furnished, shared or sold might be subject to a manslaughter or murder charge. Increased penalties for possession or possession for sale, sale, etc. Coerced treatment that says, go to treatment or go to jail Why is this a problem?

Tips for Opposition It s difficult, because you don t have a heads up So, introduce yourself outside the context of one fight ( Meet & Greet ) Make appointments with chairs of your health and public safety committee Make appointments with their staff When you know something bad is out there, start seeing people just as soon as you are able, and come to committee, as well.

Tips for opposition Same stuff Emotion Data Cost Benefit Broken No More + Medical Professionals + Researchers should win Bring all the allies you have Advance work is better

Questions? Comments? Curse words? GlennBackes@mac.com 916-202-2538

THANKS YALL