Prohibition: Then and Now

Alcohol prohibition is remembered as a failure, but how did it come into law in the first place, and what was the impact of prohibition on the people who lived through it? And if it's remembered as a failure, why is prohibition driving our drug policies today? In this talk, we will examine how alcohol prohibition came into law, and trace its lineages to present day drug policy. We'll discuss the impact of prohibition on the drug economy and on people who use criminalized substances. We'll also explore alternatives to prohibition and promising future directions. About the speaker: Kelsey Leon is a harm reductionist, anthropologist, and clinical research coordinator who combines harm reduction research with consistent advocacy alongside people who use drugs. Her research work includes peer-led harm reduction interventions and barriers to trust between patients and providers. She has also done years of mutual aid and harm reduction work across Philadelphia, particularly in Kensington, focusing on meeting the needs of unhoused neighbors.