Drug Lab Scandal

Tens of thousands of drug cases are at risk in Massachusetts because chemist Annie Dookhan allegedly falsified test results. But the current plan for addressing the crisis—retrying cases one by one—threatens instead to worsen it. Public officials should chart a better course, one that will restore the Commonwealth's reputation and save taxpayers money.


Case Files


Blogs

10.31.12

Independent drug lab investigation first step to restoring integrity
Boston.com

10.17.12

Scandal costs and getting smart on safety
Boston.com

10.5.12

Drug lab scandal is a critical opportunity to fix the system
Boston.com

Select Media, Highlighting ACLU Work

5.9.13

State high court weighs solutions for state drug lab scandal
ACLU of Massachusetts news release

Mass. high court mulling drug lab case procedures
AP

4.25.13

Two lab scandals, one good response
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

3.6.13

ACLU Asks Mass. High Court To Rule On Drug Lab Scandal
WBUR

12.4.12

Lab woes call for break from drug war script

11.18.12

Wrong answer to lab scandal
The MetroWest Daily News

11.15.12

To deal with lab scandal, re-examine the drug war
The Bay State Banner

11.05.12

Patrick taps inspector general to investigate closed drug lab
The Boston Globe

10.31.12

Coakley seeks outside probe Of Mass. drug lab crisis
Associated Press, via WBUR

AG: Independent investigator should probe drug lab scandal
Boston Herald

ACLU welcomes independent investigation into drug lab scandal
ACLU of Massachusetts news release

10.26.12

ACLU calls for end to incarceration of innocent and wrongfully sentenced North Carolina inmates
ACLU of Massachusetts news release

10.25.12

Coakley urged to pick independent investigator in drug lab scandal
The Boston Globe

10.24.12

Lawyers call for outside probe of drug lab
Fox 25

Mass. lawyers call for outside probe of drug lab
WBUR News and Wire Services

AG asked to step down from drug lab probe
Boston Herald

Legal advocates call for independent investigation of state drug lab scandal
ACLU of Massachusetts news release

10.18.12

Norfolk County prosecutor resigns over contacts with chemist in drug lab scandal
Patriot Ledger

10.17.12

Broadside: Prosecutor resigns in lab scandal
NECN

Norfolk ADA with ties to Annie Dookhan resigns
NECN

10.16.12

Chemist often called, wrote to prosecutor
The Boston Globe

10.12.12

Boston girds for prisoners freed in drug lab scandal
The Boston Globe

10.11.12

ACLU of Massachusetts, Families Against Mandatory Minimums warn proposed response to drug lab scandal will needlessly cost taxpayers $100 million, perpetuate injustice
ACLU of Massachusetts news release

ACLU calls on state to dismiss cases tainted by drug lab scandal
Boston Herald

Former colleague testifies Annie Dookhan had access to state lab, drug database
Boston.com

Boston program to deal with inmates walking free due to drug lab
State House News Service (via Wicked Local Burlington)

Chemist had access to state lab, database
The Boston Globe