The War on Drugs catchphrase and campaign became ubiquitous in the early ‘70s when President Richard Nixon signed the Controlled Substances Act into Law, declaring drug use “public enemy number one.”

But who really was the State’s “public enemy number one?

Brenna comes from a background in community organizing, and will be working in our Systemic Change team on research and engagement projects.

The approval of these shields is part of a concerning trend of police militarization and excessive force. Is PPB gearing up for another confrontation with the citizens they are meant to “protect and serve?”

We share and feel the anger and hurt caused by this crisis and understand the urgency to do something. Anything.

However, we have to avoid resurrecting the war on drugs and other failed policies from the past. What we truly need are effective solutions based on research and real-world experience.