What S.1402 & H.2197 Do:
- These bills end the practice of sending individuals who have not been charged with a crime but are committed under Section 35 to correctional custody.
- Instead, they would ensure that these individuals receive treatment in healthcare settings administered by the Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Department of Mental Health (DMH), providing more appropriate care for their substance use disorders.
- The bills require that all Section 35 beds for both men and women be in healthcare facilities approved by DPH or DMH, not in correctional facilities.
Why It’s Important:
Currently, men committed under Section 35 are often sent to correctional facilities, where the environment is harsh, punitive, and trauma-inducing. This approach reinforces the stigma and shame surrounding addiction, preventing people from seeking the help they need. Incarceration also causes long-term harm, with many individuals carrying the trauma even after release.
By ensuring that people with substance use disorders are treated as patients in healthcare settings—rather than as inmates in correctional facilities—S.1402 & H.2197 offer a compassionate, effective approach to addiction treatment.
What You Can Do:
- Contact your legislators today and urge them to support S.1402 & H.2197.
- Share this action alert with others to help raise awareness about this critical issue.
- Attend hearings or events related to these bills and show your support for more compassionate addiction treatment.
Together, we can ensure that those suffering from substance use disorders receive the proper care they need without the stigma and trauma of incarceration.
Act Now! Support S.1402 & H.2197 and help create a more compassionate and effective approach to addiction treatment.