Discriminatory Policing of Vulnerable Populations in Philadelphia

On Tuesday, SOLID VP, Gail Hutchings in collaboration with Sela Davis of National Lawyers Guild co-hosted an Anti-Racism Conversation as part of Drexel's Diversity and Inclusion program. They introduced articles related to the Discriminatory Policing of Vulnerable Populations in Philadelphia, informing classmates on how substance use is criminalized and policed disproportionately in certain racial groups and neighborhoods. Gail gave a brief history of substance use concerns in Philadelphia, and some of the vulnerable neighborhoods that were impacted, such as Kensington and Mantua, Mantua being a neighborhood very close to Drexel's campus. They also spoke on how substance use is roughly the same across racial groups, but substance users who are also people of color, are overpoliced and discriminated against while trying to access services. The impact of systemic racism cannot be ignored when advocating for better quality and access to substance use services for all.