The journey of writing The Criminalization of Addiction began as a deeply personal mission. For Dr. G. D’Anne Hancock Weise, the story of her son’s 20-year federal prison sentence was not just a family tragedy—it was a lens through which she saw the broader failures of the justice system. Motivated by a desire to understand and explain how policies intended to deter crime often harm those struggling with addiction, Dr. Weise set out to blend rigorous research with lived experience.
The process was both challenging and transformative. She meticulously gathered data, examined legal precedents, and reflected on her personal experiences as a mother watching her child navigate addiction and incarceration. Along the way, she drew inspiration from mentors, advocates, and scholars who shaped her views on justice, policy, and compassion.
Writing this book was more than an academic exercise—it was an act of advocacy. Every chapter seeks to illuminate the human cost of punitive laws, challenge assumptions about addiction and punishment, and provide a roadmap for evidence-based, restorative approaches. Dr. Weise’s journey demonstrates the power of storytelling to inspire change, combining empathy, analysis, and hope in a work that is as much a call to action as it is a memoir.
