A New York bill that would assure access to nonreligious substance abuse recovery programs is on the brink of a Senate vote, but it needs your help to get there. Please take a moment to contact your senator and ask for help for this bill.
Despite multiple assurances to a sponsor of the bill, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins did not include the Nonreligious Recovery Options bill, S 7313A, in the list of substance abuse-related bills that the Senate voted on yesterday.
Currently, individuals with criminal justice involvement account for 47 percent of all treatment admissions to New York state’s Office of Addiction Services and Support. However, the only support groups available for many participants are based on the traditional and faith-based 12-step model. Too often, individuals in the court system are denied access to nonreligious recovery options that are consistent with their values and personal beliefs. This bill requires written notice to a defendant of his or her right to complete court-ordered alcohol or substance use treatment in a nonreligious treatment program.
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