(802) 651-8889, 152 Pearl St, Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 651-8889, 152 Pearl St, Burlington, VT 05401
Latest News
STOP the evictions!
You've probably seen the press coverage about how many Vermonters will be evicted when the state-funded motel program ends. Although we agree that this program has been highly flawed, the benefit has been that people without permanent homes have been able to keep a roof over their heads. Without the program, thousands of Vermonters will be left with no place to go. We want to keep the pressure up on the Administration on behalf of those who will be evicted. We need your help!
On June 1st, approximately 730 Vermonters were sent out of the motels where they had been sheltered because they have no permanent housing. Over the next two months, another 2,000 people (including 500-600 children, the elderly and folks with disabilities) will be exited from this program. Although the Governor and his Administration have had two years or more to plan for alternate temporary housing options, they have not taken action to provide actual emergency housing units and have now pushed the problem onto our local communities.
VIA is giving you three opportunities to help address this crisis:
1) Call the Governor at (802) 828-3333 with this message:
"It is unacceptable that 2,800 Vermonters are being pushed out of state emergency housing into our local communities when you had years to develop a better plan. These folks need a roof over their heads, not advice. Take concrete action by declaring a state of emergency to mobilize all available resources."
2) Email your state representatives and state senators (to find them, use this link) with this message:
"As one of my legislators, please clearly communicate to Governor Scott and the Secretary of the Agency of Human Services that your constituents find it unacceptable -- when they had years to develop a better plan -- that 2,800 Vermonters are being pushed out of state emergency housing into our local communities. Ask them, as leaders in the executive branch, to take concrete action by declaring a state of emergency to mobilize all available resources."
3) Sign up for direct assistance
And finally, although we hope this pressure will result in solutions -- we want to be ready to provide support ourselves if necessary. For anyone who would like to offer direct assistance, VIA's allies have prepared this form for individuals to sign up to help with a room, land to camp on, or meals and transportation. For your congregation to provide assistance, or another organization that you belong to, please use this form.
Vermont takes an important step toward embracing a public health approach to drugs
At the end of May, bill designed to decriminalize personal possession of certain drugs was signed into law by the Governor. VIA has been an active member of the coalition organizing to pass this bill. Please see the press release below.
Congrats to us all, and a special, hearty thank-you to the Corrections Reform LOM that did the work on the ground with this coalition!
---FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE---
May 25, 2023
MONTPELIER, Vt. – The Decriminalize Vermont Coalition today applauded the passage and signing of H. 222 a significant law that will, among other important changes, authorize drug checking services, permanently decriminalize possession of buprenorphine, expand access to the opioid overdose-reversal drug naloxone and provide additional funding for syringe services programs throughout the state. A record number of Vermonters were lost to fatal drug overdoses in 2022.
In an April 6 press conference, the coalition advocated for bold legislative action to address the state’s worsening overdose crisis, including drug checking services. With the passage of H.222, Vermont is among the states leading in supporting the implementation of drug-checking services.
Drug-checking services will help address an increasingly unpredictable and dangerous drug supply. Data from the Department of Health shows that Fentanyl contributed to 93% of overdose fatalities in 2022, while Xylazine was present in 28%. Drug checking allows service providers to help people obtain detailed information about the chemical composition of the substance they possess and therefore prevent harms associated with consuming an unexpected substance or a higher potency substance than they may have expected (including for example fentanyl or xylazine.)
"I appreciate the good work of the legislature and administration to help get H.222 passed and signed into law. In particular, I applaud the number of harm reduction measures included in the bills, including language allowing for drug checking. These provisions will save lives, lower the overall rate of substance use, and allow people to seek treatment when they are ready because they have built the trust and connections to access treatment," said Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky.
“Vermont’s overdose crisis is getting worse each year. This bill takes an important step toward a system of care that’s focused on health and the prevention of overdose,” said Grey Gardner, Senior Staff Attorney for the Drug Policy Alliance, the leading organization in the U.S. working to end the war on drugs, which has supported the Vermont coalition’s efforts.
“But there’s still more that should be urgently done to keep people safer and healthier, instead of stigmatizing people with wasteful arrests and prosecutions. Vermont needs to join states like Rhode Island and New York that are supporting live-saving overdose prevention centers, and get rid of criminal penalties that drive people away from overdose prevention services and create new barriers for people who may need help,” added Gardner.
“Today, we applaud the Vermont Legislature for their remarkable dedication to the well-being of Vermonters impacted by substance use. By passing H.222, they have taken a significant step towards promoting harm reduction and fostering a safer society,” said Theresa Vezina, Executive Director of Vermont Cares, one of the largest providers of life-saving harm reduction services, education and resources to Vermonters affected by HIV, Hepatitis C and substance use.
“This bill not only embodies the values of compassion and empathy, but it also demonstrates a deep understanding of the complex challenges that individuals facing substance use disorders encounter. By prioritizing harm reduction strategies, Vermont has shown a commitment to saving lives by focusing on a public health approach.” added Vezina.
"The signing of H.222 is an important step forward in the fight to prevent overdose deaths in Vermont. We continue to lose Vermonters at an alarming rate and their deaths are preventable.” said Jess Kirby, Client Services Director for Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform.
“Ensuring immunity for drug checking will allow for the delivery of critical and lifesaving information so that people can take every precaution possible to stay safe. Decriminalizing possession of the life saving medication buprenorphine and removing arbitrary formulation restrictions on buprenorphine prescriptions so that people can get the medication that works best for them are crucial steps forward and will save lives," Kirby added.
Recent polling data collected from May 26 to June 8, 2022 found that 81% of Vermont voters support reframing the state’s approach to drug use as a health issue with a focus on reducing the harms of addiction and offering health and recovery services. The poll also found that more than four out of five (84%) voters, including a majority of voters across all major demographic groups and party affiliations, support removing criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of drugs.
With Vermont having one of the highest overdose rates in the country, the coalition has called for urgent action to remove barriers (especially criminal penalties) that prevent people from seeking services when needed, establish robust harm reduction programs such as overdose prevention centers and drug checking services, and shift away from having police respond to calls related to drug use.
What this work means to us...
VIA leaders shared about the work that they have been a part of in 2022 and what that means to them. Take a listen and get involved!
Visit our Events page to see what meetings are coming up and how you can be part of this work.
Feel free to contact VIA staff for more information or if you have any questions.