Many people who use drugs are also involved in the criminal legal system and have to pay fines and fees. Fines are often used to deter and punish drug use, while fees may be added as a regressive tax or for participation in certain drug programs. In this report, the Center for Policing Equity outlines the steps policymakers and communities can take to address and end counterproductive and racially biased drug enforcement, including limiting the use of fines and fees for offenses related to substance use. The authors recommend that where fines are used as a criminal sanction, they should be reasonable, based on a person’s income and ability to pay, and issued only when a term of incarceration is not also being imposed.
Access the full report here.