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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 18, 2019 04:12 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative John T. Galloway |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Addict Rehabilitation and Individualized Drug Treatment |
| As we confront the opioid crisis, it is vital that we remember that addiction is a disease. Drug courts are an effective way to rehabilitate addicts by providing them with individualized drug treatment programs. Graduates are less likely to relapse or reoffend compared to those that receive probation or incarceration. Drug courts are also relatively inexpensive compared to those alternatives. Unfortunately, just 45 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties have drug courts. Many of the areas hardest hit by the crisis lack them. My bill will allow magisterial district courts, the lowest level of judicial authority in Pennsylvania, to establish and operate drug courts. This change will expand access to individualized drug treatment programs and allow more addicts to get the care they deserve without facing probation or incarceration. More needs to be done to address the opioid crisis. Increasing access to drug courts is a simple reform that will prevent additional heartbreak for families affected by addiction and save money for taxpayers. Let’s get this done. |
Introduced as HB878