New York, NY – In response to comments made by President Donald Trump today about subjecting drug sellers to the death penalty, Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno, Executive Director of the Drug Policy Alliance, released the following statement:
“Once again, Donald Trump is taking a page from the autocrats’ playbook, by suggesting the US follow China’s example and providing for the death penalty for drug offenses. We have learned from decades of experience in the United States and beyond that harsh punishment for drugs has devastated entire communities, disproportionately black and brown. We also know that many of those prosecuted as sellers are people who themselves use drugs, for whom Trump has urged compassion in the past. Further doubling down on the drug war by pushing for the death penalty is both callous and ignorant.”
