Take action: Uproot the drug war from schools

The drug war’s infiltration into the education system has turned our schools into places for criminalization and punishment.

Drug possession is among the most common reasons students are arrested and referred to police and 10 million students are in schools that have law enforcement officers but no social workers.

Help us replace law enforcement in schools with supportive services by telling your Senators to support the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act.

Take Action

Your Message

Subject

Dear Senator,

Message Body

I’m writing to urge you to cosponsor the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act (S.2125). This crucial legislation would prohibit the use of federal funds for sworn law enforcement officers in schools. It would also provide grants to replace law enforcement with personnel that support mental health and trauma-informed services and reform school safety and disciplinary policies to reflect evidence-based practices that do not rely on the criminal justice system.

Drug possession is among the most common reasons students are arrested and referred to police and 10 million students are in schools that have law enforcement officers but no social workers.

Beginning in the 1980s and 1990s, locker searches led by security officers and canines, increased suspensions and expulsions, and other means of keeping tabs on kids became the norm. And despite no evidence that police presence in schools improves safety or reduces drug use, the number of officers grows every year.

Scaring kids with severe punishments and expanding police presence breaks trust between students and the adults they should be able to turn to at school if they need help or resources. It drives the small percentage of students who actually do use substances problematically further into the shadows and actually prevents early intervention and meaningful help.

Schools should be safe and caring environments, but the drug war has made them vehicles for policing and punishment and warped our ability to provide the real support our children need. It’s time to change. Please cosponsor the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act to help replace law enforcement in schools with supportive services so that our students can thrive.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

Your Information

Salutation *

Alternate Salutation

Most elected officials’ constituent email systems accept a very limited set of salutations. Please select the one you would most prefer.

First name *

Last name *

E-mail address *

Address *

Address Line 2

City *

State *

Zip Code *

Phone

* Drug Policy Alliance is committed to protecting your privacy and will never share your email address.

If you sign and have not already registered, you will receive periodic updates and communications from the Drug Policy Alliance.

If you take action and have not already registered, you will receive periodic updates and communications from the Drug Policy Alliance.

If you donate and have not already registered, you will receive periodic updates and communications from the Drug Policy Alliance.