The Voluntary Committee of Lawyers (VCL) coordinates with leaders of the legal profession across the United States to establish state and local policy reform initiatives by stimulating community debate and discussion about the failed “War on Drugs.” The VCL works closely and directly with bar associations and other professional and civic groups to organize and sustain multi-disciplinary committees to study local, state and federal drug policies and to recommend alternatives, and to host public forums that engage and influence opinion leaders, public officials and the media. If you are interested in getting involved with any of these projects, or if you would like assistance starting a new project at your bar association, please contact us at vcl@vcl.org.
King County Bar Association (KCBA) Drug Policy Project
The KCBA Drug Policy Project in Seattle, Washington is the flagship project of the VCL and serves as a model for the VCL to adapt or replicate in other parts of the country.
Colorado Bar Association Criminal Sentencing Project
The Criminal Sentencing Project of the Colorado Bar Association has established a partnership of lawyers, doctors, scholars, treatment providers and other professionals to examine criminal sentencing and other drug policy issues in Colorado.
Massachusetts Bar Association Drug Policy Task Force
The Drug Policy Task Force of the Massachusetts Bar Association was formed to take a hard look at the difficult questions of drug addiction and punishment of drug-related crimes, and to build a broad coalition including members from the legal, business, health care and law enforcement communities. To further study the important areas surrounding drug policy, the task force has formed three subcommittees: law and justice, treatment, and prevention.
The New York City Bar Association Drugs and the Law Committee
The Drugs and the Law Special Committee of the New York City Bar studies the dimensions of substance use and abuse and how society deals with the problems, and considers future drug policy goals and objectives.