 Legislatures in Massachusetts and New York have introduced bills intended to fully decriminalize currently illegal narcotics, and handle drug abuse as a public health issue rather than a criminal justice issue.
Massachusetts The Massachusetts bill seeks to implement what they call a “needs screening” which will identify services to address, “substance use disorder and mental health conditions, lack of employment, housing, or food, and any need for civil legal services.” People who receive citations for ilicit drugs can have those dismissed if they provide proof of completing the new “needs screening.” The proposed bills would not mandate treatment, only the screening which hopes to find opportunities to deal with the underlying socioeconomic issues that lead to substance abuse. The bills also say that completing the screening would not, “be deemed an admission of any kind.” There has also been another separate bill proposed to legalize a series of psychedelics for adults 18 and older in Massachsetts. New York In New York, a measure was introduced which would do away with both criminal and civil penalties for possession of drugs, in addition to establishing a task force to research and recommend further reforms. A memo attached to the measure says, "New York and other states have continued to treat drug use as a moral failing and as a crime, thus stigmatizing and incarcerating millions of people for having a disease.” They further pointed out that this contributes to barriers to accessing housing, employment, and other vital services. It also places a huge financial burden on the state, “through increased spending on the criminal legal system, the child welfare system, the health care system, the shelter system, and others, as well as through reduced productivity and employment.” The proposed New York legislation would also make amendments to state law to replace the word “criminal” with “unlawful,” regardiing possession offenses. The proposal is also seeking to allow citizens facing a simple possession violation to pay a $50 fine or participate in a “needs screening,” similar to the Massachusetts bill. Washington State Legislators in Washington State have also indicated that they will discuss decriminalization this year. Comments are closed.
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