Harm reductionists from Baltimore and beyond are backing a new iteration of a bill in this year’s General Assembly session that has paraphernalia criminalization in its crosshairs — part of a renewed effort to combat the racist War on Drugs in Maryland.
Dozens of people, ranging from harm reduction organizers to abstinence-based recovery advocates, gathered in Annapolis last week for Overdose Prevention Advocacy Day. After rallying at the Lawyers Mall on a frigid Tuesday morning, they lobbied lawmakers to support or oppose a slate of bills being considered in this year’s session. For those fighting for the rights of drug users, it was paraphernalia legislation cross-filed in both chambers that took priority, with the day culminating in a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee.
“Legally obtained items should stay legal. Point blank, period,” said Candy Kerr, communications manager of the Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition. “It’s the association with drugs that makes it illegal, allowing police officers to stop and harass people who have paraphernalia on them.”…