Alexander Lekhtman

New York

Drug Policy Reporter and Editor at Filter

I’m a writer covering the policy, science, and culture of drugs. Get educated, get lifted!

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Articles

St. Louis Agrees Compensation for People Jailed at Notorious "Workhouse"

1 week ago | filtermag.org | Alexander Lekhtman

For many years, the “Workhouse” jail in St. Louis, Missouri, subjected people to horrific conditions. After a long campaign, the city finally closed the facility in 2022. Now, some of the people who were held there are set to receive reparations for their ordeals. A pending legal settlement would award financial compensation to people who were incarcerated after November 13, 2012.
Trump's Attack on AmeriCorps Threatens OD Prevention, Among Much Else

1 week ago | filtermag.org | Alexander Lekhtman

The Trump administration has decided to destroy the AmeriCorps program, which puts millions of people, mostly volunteers, to work in community service. The latest in a long list of brutal cuts since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, this potentially illegal move threatens countless services—from repairing homes after hurricanes, to tutoring students or coaching disabled veterans—including efforts to prevent overdose and address substance use disorder.
Texas Lawmakers Target Unhoused People and Service Providers

1 week ago | filtermag.org | Alexander Lekhtman

Several bills advancing through the Texas legislature will, if enacted, escalate the state’s war on unhoused people. Among the measures being pushed forward, homelessness service providers would be banned from operating anywhere in the vicinity of schools, and cities would be punished if they don’t take more aggressive actions against encampments. On April 8, the Texas Senate passed SB 241, in 24-6 vote.
Burlington Plans to Open Vermont’s First Overdose Prevention Center

2 weeks ago | filtermag.org | Alexander Lekhtman

On April 28, the City Council of Burlington, Vermont, voted unanimously to approve opening an overdose prevention center (OPC) in the city. The state authorized such facilities in 2024, and this is slated to be the first to open—though a number of steps remain before that will happen, including determining the exact location, so the timeline is unclear.
As First Psilocybin Center Comes to Colorado, How Is the Rollout Going?

2 weeks ago | filtermag.org | Alexander Lekhtman

Denver, Colorado, will open the state’s first legal psilocybin healing center within the next month—a historic moment. It’s the culmination of a years-long process after voters approved a limited legalization ballot measure in 2022. There will be no psilocybin mushroom dispensaries; consumers will have to pay to use the drug on-site under trained supervision—no diagnosis needed.
Minnesota Officials Are Delaying Opening Safe Drug Consumption Sites, Citing Federal Concerns

2 weeks ago | marijuanamoment.net | Alexander Lekhtman

“More work needs to be done on a state and federal level before these services can be implemented in a way that is safe for participants and Harm Reduction programs.”By Alexander Lekhtman, FilterMinnesota was just the second U.S. state (after Rhode Island) to authorize overdose prevention centers allowing supervised drug use in safe conditions, at least in theory. Whether these services will actually open, at least anytime soon, now seems to be in doubt. In 2023, Minnesota lawmakers and Gov.
Will Minnesota, Which Authorized OPC, Actually Open Them?

3 weeks ago | filtermag.org | Alexander Lekhtman

Minnesota was just the second US state (after Rhode Island) to authorize overdose prevention centers allowing supervised drug use in safe conditions, at least in theory. Whether these services will actually open, at least anytime soon, now seems to be in doubt.
Cannabis as Cancer Treatment Heavily Backed by Major Review

3 weeks ago | filtermag.org | Alexander Lekhtman

Cannabis as a treatment for cancer symptoms is heavily supported by existing research, a large-scale review has found. What’s more, existing research also supports the potential of cannabis to directly fight the disease. These findings represent a major contribution to debates within the medical field and concerning marijuana policies, which have long hampered the study of such questions. A team led by Ryan Castle looked at 10,000 peer-reviewed studies concerning cannabis, cancer and treatment.
As SAMHSA Cuts Loom, Behavioral Health Orgs Fight to Protect Funding

4 weeks ago | filtermag.org | Alexander Lekhtman

Harm reduction providers and other community groups are in chaos they await updates on the fate of withdrawn grant funding they’d been expecting from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)—as well as the fate of SAMHSA itself.
Florida May Soon Ban Anonymous Officer Misconduct Complaints

1 month ago | filtermag.org | Alexander Lekhtman

Under a proposed bill, Florida would no longer allow officer misconduct complaints to be filed anonymously—requiring that they be signed by the complainant, under oath, in order for any action to be taken. Filing a “false declaration” against a law enforcement or corrections officer would be criminalized as third-degree felony perjury. HB 317 will be the first bill up for consideration by the Judiciary committee on April 17. Similar legislation has been moving through the Senate.