Addiction Policy Forum announced its endorsement of the EQUAL Act, which would end the crack cocaine and powdered cocaine federal sentencing disparity.
H.R. 1693/S. 79, the Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law Act (EQUAL Act) was introduced by Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Reps. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), and Don Bacon (R-NE).
Congress created a sentencing disparity between the treatment of crack cocaine offenses and powdered cocaine offenses in 1986, despite the fact that these substances are two forms of the same drug. As a result of that law, five grams of crack cocaine carried the same mandatory minimum prison sentence as 500 grams of powdered cocaine—an extreme 100-to-1 disparity.
“As an organization that represents patients and families impacted by the disease of addiction, we have seen how the disparity between crack and powder cocaine penalties has acutely impacted communities of color,” shared Jessica Hulsey, CEO of Addiction Policy Forum.
The Addiction Policy Forum
The Addiction Policy Forum was created by families impacted by this disease.
Founded in 2015, we are working in states and communities across the country to end stigma, help patients and families in crisis and translate the science around addiction.
Our vision is to eliminate addiction as a major health problem. We lead the fight against the deadly consequences of addiction and help patients, families, and communities affected by the disease. The Addiction Policy Forum is a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating addiction as a major health problem. Our national headquarters are located in Bethesda, MD with resources and services in every state.