ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors evaluate the current state of the drug war in the United States and describe emerging interest in community-based alternative responses. Their contention regarding the former is that although the drug war has attenuated somewhat, the degree to which the criminal legal system is used to respond to drug use and drug markets remains quite high when judged by historical standards. The authors briefly describe recent trends in drug arrests and prison admissions to flesh this out; these data also show some important geographic shifts in the war on drugs. The remainder of the chapter describes the emergence of an alternative diversion framework rooted in harm reduction principles (i.e. Let Everyone Advance With Dignity [LEAD]) in Seattle that now serves as an alternative model in nearly 100 jurisdictions across the country. It also provides an account of how this framework was adapted in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic to continue to reduce the harm associated with drug use, drug markets, and unmanaged addiction.
