Christopher Moraff is a nationally recognized journalist who writes on the intersection of policing, criminal justice, drug policy and civil liberties. His byline has appeared in numerous publications —including The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer and The American Prospect. From 2004 until 2011 he served as a writer-at-large for The Philadelphia Tribune, And went on to become a columnist for Al Jazeera America and The Daily Beast, covering drug culture and policy. Moraff is an expert on opioids, addiction and drug policy. He has written extensively on the impact of U.S. opioid policy on the chronic pain community; and his immersion reporting from Philadelphia’s open air drug market, s has earned him a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable journalistic sources on IV drug users, Novel Psychoactive Substances and the overdose crisis. Prior to covering the overdose crisis Moraff covered community policing and prison reform.
Moraff introduced fentanyl test strips to Philadelphia in 2017 and advised the Philadelphia Department of Public Health prior to its roll out of FTS in 2018. He was awarded a certificate of instruction by the American Academy of Forensic Science for his presentations on the pharmacology of Novel Psychoactive Substances, and for his role in helping launch one of the nation's first lab-based drug testing services for the purpose of harm reduction. The program evolved into a model drug-checking program that is now run by the Department of Public Health. The team recently surpassed 600 samples tested since its 2019 inception.
● Moraff’s criminal justice reporting has been recognized by The Aspen Institute; and it has been cited in academic journals, books, police-training materials, state and federal legislative testimony, and draft legislation. His reporting on police-training reform was referenced in testimony before President Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing; and his commentary on sex offender registries was cited in an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court in Packingham v. North Carolina.
● He provided consulting & research assistance to the American Society of Evidence-Based Policing during its inception.
● Moraff has been interviewed numerous times and has made multiple media and podcast appearances. He has also moderated and/or participated in numerous public panels on juvenile justice, the overdose crisis, chronic homelessness and inmate reentry.
● Moraff’s criminal justice reporting has been recognized by The Aspen Institute; and it has been cited in academic journals, books, police-training materials, state and federal legislative testimony, and draft legislation. His reporting on police-training reform was referenced in testimony before President Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing; and his commentary on sex offender registries was cited in an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court in Packingham v. North Carolina.
● Moraff has been interviewed numerous times and has made multiple media and podcast appearances. He has also moderated and/or participated in numerous public panels on juvenile justice, the overdose crisis, chronic homelessness and inmate reentry.