8th Democratic Primary Debate: on Drugs


Pete Buttigieg: Fewer arrests than US, but more black arrests for pot

Buttigieg sidestepped a question about why the number of marijuana possession arrests among black residents in South Bend increased under his leadership. Rather than answer the question directly, Buttigieg instead said that that category of arrests was lower in his city than the national average. He then pivoted to discussing racism more broadly, before being called out by the moderator for deflecting.

When asked if Buttigieg's response was substantial, Warren replied simply, "No."

Source: CNBC.com excerpts of 8th Democrat 2020 primary debate Feb 8, 2020

Amy Klobuchar: I sent drug users to jail, but the only answer is treatment

I led one of the most successful drug courts in the country. We didn't want to see repeat customers. If you don't want to see repeat customers, the only answer is treatment. Maybe you're referring to people who were dealing big time in drugs. I felt that we should prosecute those people, but we owe it to the people of New Hampshire, had one of the biggest addiction rates in the countries and death rates when it comes to opioids, to explain how we will pay for the treatment and the bed.
Source: 8th Democrat 2020 primary debate, St. Anselm College in NH Feb 7, 2020

Amy Klobuchar: Two-cent per milligram tax on opioids to fund treatment

There's going to be a federal settlement against opioid manufacturers. The evidence is overwhelming. We will get $40 billion in from that settlement, we can put a 2 cents per milligram tax on opioids that brings in another 40 billion. Then you can close a hedge fund loophole that brings in $18 billion. And just like every other policy I've proposed, I have shown how I'm going to pay for it.
Source: 8th Democrat 2020 primary debate, St. Anselm College in NH Feb 7, 2020

Andrew Yang: Take opioid profits and funnel them into treatment

I've heard heartbreaking stories from families here in New Hampshire that have been destroyed, torn apart by the opioid epidemic and you have to look at the companies that profited to the tune of tens of billions of dollars in profits of essentially blood money. As President, we will take back those profits and put them to work right here in New Hampshire so that if you are seeking treatment, you have resources to be able to pursue it.
Source: 8th Democrat 2020 primary debate, St. Anselm College in NH Feb 7, 2020

Andrew Yang: Safe injection centers & safe treatment centers for opioids

The government allowed this opioid epidemic to spread and we have to do everything in our power to make sure that if you are seeking treatment, you're not going to be sent to jail. We have safe injection and safe consumption sites for you. If you have a family member who's struggling, you can refer them and know that they're not going to have criminal penalties as a result.
Source: 8th Democrat 2020 primary debate, St. Anselm College in NH Feb 7, 2020

Joe Biden: I got drug courts signed into law

I'm the guy that set up drug courts. I wrote it into law and it never got funded. On opioids, I'm the guy who's already begun to make a down payment. In the Cures Act, I put in $1 billion to fight opioid addiction. Here's the deal. Those Chief Executive Officer of drug companies, they should not only be fined, they should go to jail.
Source: 8th Democrat 2020 primary debate, St. Anselm College in NH Feb 7, 2020

Pete Buttigieg: Accountability for drug producers; treatment for users

What I'm calling for is that we end the use of incarceration as a response. This does not mean that it will be lawful to produce or distribute those kinds of harmful drugs. We've got to make sure that there is accountability for those who suppressed evidence about the addictiveness of those substances. Even while we're also coming to recognize that these kinds of addiction are a medical issue, not a moral failure on the part of somebody battling that addiction.
Source: 8th Democrat 2020 primary debate, St. Anselm College in NH Feb 7, 2020

  • The above quotations are from Feb. 7, 2020- Democratic Debate (8th Debate).
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Drugs.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Mike Bloomberg on Drugs.
  • Click here for more quotes by Deval Patrick on Drugs.
2020 Presidential contenders on Drugs:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN) 		Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Mar 23, 2020