Internet CME Course: The Impact of Decriminalizing Possession and Use of Illegal Drugs in Massachusetts

Activity ID

10176

Expires

October 17, 2025

Format Type

Internet

CME Credit

1.5

Fee

$0 - $67.50

CME Provider: Massachusetts Medical Society

Description of CME Course

The United States has battled with illegal drugs for well over 100 years. Yet prohibition of these drugs, especially cocaine and opioids, is implemented in an inequitable way in this country, with criminalization of substances used strategically to target people of color. Of importance, more White people use drugs than Black people according to data, yet Black and Brown people are arrested in much larger numbers. Incarcerating those who use drugs destroys community, family life, children’s lives, mental health, housing security, and food security. There is well-established scientific evidence that substance use disorder is a chronic relapsing disease, not a legal or moral issue, and addiction is best treated in health systems where all evidence-based approaches to treatment are available and where relapse signals the need for more help. The Massachusetts Medical Society “supports legislative and policy efforts that reduce conviction and incarceration solely for personal possession and illicit use of drugs and supports increased access to harm reduction services and all forms of treatment.” Commitment to resources for harm reduction and treatment, as opposed to incarceration, is crucial. Physicians and other health care professionals, law enforcement, and legislators need consider decriminalization further, but we must first educate ourselves. This webinar (recorded on October 6, 2022) explores the positive and negative impacts of decriminalizing possession and personal use of illegal drugs through brief presentations, discussion among the presenters and moderator, and participant questions posed to the speakers.

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