Position of the Reform Movement on Substance Abuse

The Reform Movement has long seen drug abuse as a serious problem facing the nation. Both the Union for Reform Judaism and the Central Conference of American Rabbis have formally stated their disapproval of illegal drug use and their commitment to eliminating the abuse of controlled substances. In 1989, the Union resolved to "declare its unequivocal opposition to all forms of substance abuse, including alcohol" and to "work with other religious and secular bodies in addressing the problems of substance abuse." Several URJ and CCAR resolutions have emphasized supervised treatment instead of incarceration for people convicted of simple drug possession. The URJ's 1993 resolution, "Dealing with Substance Abuse," advocates urging the U.S. government to "Reassess their priorities in combating drug abuse in the United States and Canada and in allocating resources to emphasize prevention, education, and treatment rather than enforcement." This stance reflects an awareness that treatment is much more effective than prison time in solving people's drug problems. The CCAR and URJ have also both passed resolutions recognizing the racial disparities in application of drug sentencing laws and calling for criminal justice reform to eliminate racial bias in how the drug problem is addressed by law enforcement and by the courts.

Commission on Social Action Resolutions

  • Needle Exchange Programs (1997).
    The CSA resolved to "encourage federal, state, provincial, and/or local legislative bodies to pass laws allowing certified health workers to exchange contaminated needles and syringes for clean ones, in conjunction with drug education, and to provide funds for such programs."
  • Crime (1994).
    The CSA urged "removal of mandatory minimum sentencing"; "modification of drug laws to remove racial bias in sentencing"; and "rejection of 'three strikes, you're out' or other mandated life sentences."

URJ Resolutions

CCAR Resolutions