- Simone Braithwaite
- Simone.Braithwaite@asm.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) introduced Hope California bill -- a four county pilot program that provides additional treatment options for those suffering from Substance Use Disorders (SUD) & committing repeat felonies. The four counties involved are Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Joaquin, and Yolo County.
The number of individuals suffering from SUDs has exploded in the last decade across the state and nation. Yet, our efforts in California to treat those who suffer from SUDs, some of whom suffer from mental health issues and/or are homeless, have been completely unsuccessful.
“SUD is a public health issue, not a public safety issue and needs to be treated as such,” said Assemblymember Kevin McCarty. “We need to help people with their addictions through treatment instead of throwing them in jail. This voluntary program will help those get the treatment needed, which will ultimately help reduce the recidivism rate.”
This bill would provide individuals suffering from SUDs and committing drug-motivated crimes the voluntary option of completing their sentence in a secured residential treatment facility – instead of sentences in State Prison or County Jail. These facilities will adopt criteria from the American Society of Addiction Medicine to provide a quality treatment program for individuals to get well and become healthy, fulfilled, and contributing members of society.
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Kevin McCarty represents California’s 7th Assembly District, which include the cities of Sacramento, West Sacramento and unincorporated Sacramento County. McCarty serves as Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance. Website of Assemblymember Kevin McCarty: https://a06.asmdc.org/