We all want people living with addiction to get the help they need. At the Drug Policy Alliance, we believe that everyone should have access to the substance use disorder supports that they choose to improve their physical and mental health. Effective services should be available when and where people are ready for them, without hurdles like cost or preconditions to get help.
Instead of addressing the longstanding need for better, more accessible treatment options, some elected leaders are focused on pushing forward policy that forces people into very limited, often ineffective treatment options. Forced “treatment” is rejected by scientific and health researchers for being ineffective or harmful. It increases overdose risk, it can cause dangerous withdrawals from forced detoxification, and people often relapse after completion.
Substance use disorder treatment should be voluntary, effective, affordable, accessible, and appealing.
Read “The Drug Treatment Debate: Why Accessible and Voluntary Treatment Wins Out Over Forced.”
Download/read the full report.
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