Community members attended the No More Drug War Town Hall on Tuesday hosted by Voices Of Community Activists and Leaders, VOCAL-KY, an organization focused on redefining how drug addiction is addressed by the justice system.
VOCAL-KY is hosting town halls across the state to start a dialogue on what resources could reduce drug arrests, overdose deaths and lead addicts on the road to recovery. To start the town hall, VOCAL-KY Executive Director and Louisville Metro Council Member, Shameka Parrish-Wright shared how she got involved with drug addiction advocacy.
Parrish-Wright is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio and shared that she was born into the failed drug war and witnessed her family members deal with addiction and overdoses.
Parrish-Wright shared that the war on drugs had largely been ineffective because it is racially motivated. Tracing back to the 1800s, she says drug penalties were the heaviest concerning drugs that were used by people of color.
Alfredo Carrasquillo from VOCAL-KY is from New York and shared how law enforcement would heavily police communities that were believed to have high volumes of violence which tended to be low income and predominantly composed of people of color. The increased policing in these areas led to more drug arrests of people of color.
Along with talking about the history of the war on drugs, local drug use and overdose statistics were spotlighted. Statewide, drug overdose deaths have decreased, but in Christian County, Annie Catron from the Christian County Health Department says there has been an uptick in overdose deaths.
In 2018 less than five overdose deaths were reported and in 2022, 28 overdose deaths were reported.
To conclude the town hall, attendees worked together to give their feedback on the organization’s presentation and what resources they believe can help those struggling with drug addiction.
Parrish-Wright says the organization’s first round of stops across the state serve to inform residents about the war on drugs and to give the organization a chance learn how Kentuckians believe drug abuse and addiction should be addressed by the justice system.
Parrish-Wright says they will make a second round of visits to share the solutions they have heard and to work with state legislators to pass laws that will help those dealing with drug addiction.
More information about VOCAL-KY’s mission can be found at vocal-ky.org.