End Substance Use Disorder Commends White House for Issuing Model Law to Encourage Treatment Instead of Arrest and Incarceration

Yesterday, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy issued a model law for states to provide pathways to treatment and recovery instead of sending individuals to jails and prisons. End Substance Use Disorder released the following statement:

“To protect our loved ones from overdoses and to keep our communities safe, we must ensure that every person with substance use disorder receives the treatment and support they need to get better,” said Erin Schanning, president of End Substance Use Disorder. “Jails and prisons were never meant to provide treatment and healthcare, and today, too many people with substance use disorder will end up in the criminal justice system. If we care about the safety of our communities, we must provide pathways to treatment and recovery in place of arrest and incarceration. We applaud the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy for issuing this model law and call on states to enact this common-sense legislation to equip our first responders with the tools that can help our communities heal.”

The model law seeks to unite law enforcement with substance use disorder and mental health providers to redirect individuals from arrest and incarceration to treatment and recovery support services. The law would authorize the creation of programs to intervene early with individuals experiencing substance use disorder and mental health crises and offer immediate pathways to help.

More than half of people incarcerated in state prison and two-thirds of people in jail have drug dependence. Providing effective treatment and support is proven to reduce repeat criminal offenses. These programs draw on the expertise of trained substance use disorder and mental health professionals and free up law enforcement to focus on other community safety issues.