By Kenyatta M. Thompson
Since the beginning of the year, the Katal Center for Health, Equity, and Justice has followed legislation that would improve the quality of life for those living, working and worshiping in the state. One piece of legislation that passed, HB 5524, An Act Increasing the Criminal Penalties for the Sale of Fentanyl, was a major setback for all Connecticut residents.
Given the complex history of drug policy in both Connecticut and around the country, Katal members and staff opposed increasing criminal penalties for those who sell fentanyl. This legislation felt all too familiar of the public perception and policing disparities between crack and powder cocaine in the last century. The drug war ravaged many communities in the state, mostly black and brown communities, and this piece of legislation adds fuel to the war on our people.
To organize against this legislation, Katal members and staff spoke with members of the CT General Assembly and members of the Governor’s cabinet in opposition to HB 5524. As a unit, we went to the State House and spoke with State Senators on the need to not recreate the drug war through harmful drug policy. Though HB 5524 passed the House without opposition, our lobbying efforts were felt as we secured “no” votes from members of the State Senate.
Following our lobbying at the State House, our team met with Marc Pelka, Under Secretary of Criminal Justice Policy and Planning for Governor Ned Lamont. After sharing our concerns about HB 5524, we discussed solutions other than incarceration of people who sell and use fentanyl, and discussed ways to root those solutions in the communities most harmed by these policies. After meeting with Marc, members of our coalition, Healthy & Just CT, set plans to meet with state departments in the coming weeks to discuss why the state needs to move away from laws fueling the archaic drug war.
Still focused on legislation that will improve the quality of life for all Connecticut residents, the Katal Center is working over the summer to keep our momentum going. For more information on Katal and upcoming meetings, and to get involved in our work, contact Kenyatta Thompson at kthompson@katalcenter.org or 860.937.6094.
