Issue Position: Substance Abuse

Issue Position

We need to ensure that those with mental health and substance abuse issues are being treated and not simply punished and that we get rid of mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines. I have a close family member who has substance abuse issues and I have seen firsthand the problems with our criminal justice system.

I have personally witnessed people who come out of incarceration trying to positively change their lives and become productive members of society. And I see how, time and time again, those same people are constantly having to overcome unnecessary burdens such as paying hundreds of dollars for mandated classes when they are working minimum wage jobs, or being called in for meetings at times when they are supposed to be at work. These are things that have to change. Everyone should be given a fair shot, no matter what their background has been.

I believe that we must start supporting our kids in school so that we can end the school to prison pipeline. Giving our kids access to resources and mental health counselors at a young age gives them the best chance of becoming productive citizens in adulthood.

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