Recent polling data shows that 75% of Americans now see addiction as a health issue, not a criminal justice issue. But our laws haven't evolved to reflect that, even as our leadership claim to agree. My latest for @theguardian.com. 🧵 🧪 #medsky #drugsky www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024... - ThreadSky

greennoise.bsky.social • 82 days ago

Recent polling data shows that 75% of Americans now see addiction as a health issue, not a criminal justice issue. But our laws haven't evolved to reflect that, even as our leadership claim to agree. My latest for @theguardian.com. 🧵

🧪 #medsky #drugsky

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/06/substance-use-drug-possession-felony-health-issue-poll

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greennoise.bsky.social•82 days ago

Over half of US states still have felony drug possession laws. As Maritza Perez Medina of @drugpolicy.org points out, any law that increases incarceration is likely to increase overdoses as well. People who have been incarcerated are much, much more likely to overdose.

greennoise.bsky.social•82 days ago

When it comes to fentanyl, many states have actually increased their possession penalties in recent years. A predictive study that modeled the impact of a recent change to Colorado's fentanyl possession law found it could lead to over 5000 additional overdose deaths.

greennoise.bsky.social•82 days ago

Even laws that are intended to help people access substance use disorder treatment aren't really enforced or prioritized.

greennoise.bsky.social•82 days ago

For example, The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act , which requires non-discriminatory health insurance coverage of mental health and SUD treatment, has been around since 2008. But insurance companies almost universally ignore this law, and for the most part, they get away with it.

uriebay.bsky.social•81 days ago

Gov oversight of this is pretty aggressive in CA.

greennoise.bsky.social•81 days ago

I miss cali health insurance.

greennoise.bsky.social•81 days ago

Makes sense!

nonayerbiznatch.bsky.social•81 days ago

I've never had an insurance company ignore that law.

greennoise.bsky.social•81 days ago

Good for you.

robtasm.bsky.social•82 days ago

Could you please link to the study?

greennoise.bsky.social•82 days ago

It is linked in the article!

robtasm.bsky.social•82 days ago

Thanks! Immediately after I asked, I saw that I had been linked to the middle of your thread.

robtasm.bsky.social•82 days ago

Seems to be https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104175

trailertrans.bsky.social•82 days ago

Completely on brand. The government makes money through the prison industrial complex. Sick people don't make money they suck it up, right out of the pockets of the decision makers

robmillerr.bsky.social•82 days ago

Very interested to read this, but I'm not giving The Guardian ANY clicks until they meet the demands of their striking workers:

https://pressgazette.co.uk/news/scott-trust-and-guardian-management-face-staff-fury-over-observer-sale/

yuletidegay.bsky.social•81 days ago

I’ve been really impressed with the shifts made toward harm reduction in my community. Hoping legislation will follow soon.

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