Loved Ones With Addiction Need Treatment, Not Incarceration
- by: Just Liberty
- recipient: Texas Legislature
People with addiction are less likely to return to criminal behaviors if they have a job, take care of others, and generally have an opportuity to be a responsible citizen. Even if the government considers them criminals, they have loved ones who care for them.
That's why drug addiction should be treated locally, close to family, church and community members our loved ones respect.
Right now, possession of any amount of a drug in Texas is a felony. The felony conviction itself – by creating high barriers to employment, education and housing – harms prospects for drug treatment and recovery. Meanwhile, taxpayers pay more than $100 million per year to incarcerate people with addictions, most of whom cycle out and quickly back ito the system.
This is government at its worst – both ineffective and inefficient.
Texas needs a new, more loving approach. People with an addiction should get treatment at the local level through the misdemeanor court system. That means Texas lawmakers must reduce the sentence for the lowest level possession [amounts less than 1 gram, or about a sugar packet] to a Class A misdemeanor. Jail can still be used, but people will stay close to family and local support systems while focusing on treatment and recovery.
Tell the Texas Legislature to end felony incarceration for drug addiction and focus those resources on treatment at the local level. It's a simple act of love.
That's why drug addiction should be treated locally, close to family, church and community members our loved ones respect.
Right now, possession of any amount of a drug in Texas is a felony. The felony conviction itself – by creating high barriers to employment, education and housing – harms prospects for drug treatment and recovery. Meanwhile, taxpayers pay more than $100 million per year to incarcerate people with addictions, most of whom cycle out and quickly back ito the system.
This is government at its worst – both ineffective and inefficient.
Texas needs a new, more loving approach. People with an addiction should get treatment at the local level through the misdemeanor court system. That means Texas lawmakers must reduce the sentence for the lowest level possession [amounts less than 1 gram, or about a sugar packet] to a Class A misdemeanor. Jail can still be used, but people will stay close to family and local support systems while focusing on treatment and recovery.
Tell the Texas Legislature to end felony incarceration for drug addiction and focus those resources on treatment at the local level. It's a simple act of love.
Subject: The right thing to do for those we love: treatment instead of prison
Dear Legislator,
Our loved ones with addiction need treatment, not incarceration, to change bad behaviors and improve their fortunes. Locking them up often makes things worse.
If you haven't seen it, please check out a new website at http://txsmart.org explaining why it makes good moral, economic and political sense for the Legislature to prioritize treatment over incarceration for low-level drug offenders.
Drug addiction should be approached like other chronic illnesses. Relapse rates for substance use disorders are similar to those for people with diabetes or hypertension. But drug users who relapse risk ending up with multiple felonies on their record.
Texas spends more than $100 million per biennium to cycle about 7,000 addicts per year through a state-jail system which provides little to no treatment or rehabilitation programming. Most of these people are rearrested soon after release because addiction is a disease characterized by relapse, especially for those who do not receive treatment.
We must spend these resources more wisely. The money spent on incarceration should be redirected toward treatment and rehabilitation.
People with addiction are less likely to return to criminal behaviors if they have a job, take care of others, and generally have an opportunity to be a productive citizen. Incarcerating them away from family and friends and pinning them with a "felony" label makes their success much more difficult.
This legislative session, please support legislation to reduce penalties for low-level drug possession and use the savings to fund treatment. Show our loved ones that they are valued and love and give them real opportunities to work towards successful recovery.
[Your Comment]
Thank you for everything you can do to make sure this happens.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
Sign PetitionSign PetitionDear Legislator,
Our loved ones with addiction need treatment, not incarceration, to change bad behaviors and improve their fortunes. Locking them up often makes things worse.
If you haven't seen it, please check out a new website at http://txsmart.org explaining why it makes good moral, economic and political sense for the Legislature to prioritize treatment over incarceration for low-level drug offenders.
Drug addiction should be approached like other chronic illnesses. Relapse rates for substance use disorders are similar to those for people with diabetes or hypertension. But drug users who relapse risk ending up with multiple felonies on their record.
Texas spends more than $100 million per biennium to cycle about 7,000 addicts per year through a state-jail system which provides little to no treatment or rehabilitation programming. Most of these people are rearrested soon after release because addiction is a disease characterized by relapse, especially for those who do not receive treatment.
We must spend these resources more wisely. The money spent on incarceration should be redirected toward treatment and rehabilitation.
People with addiction are less likely to return to criminal behaviors if they have a job, take care of others, and generally have an opportunity to be a productive citizen. Incarcerating them away from family and friends and pinning them with a "felony" label makes their success much more difficult.
This legislative session, please support legislation to reduce penalties for low-level drug possession and use the savings to fund treatment. Show our loved ones that they are valued and love and give them real opportunities to work towards successful recovery.
[Your Comment]
Thank you for everything you can do to make sure this happens.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
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