Massachusetts’ contentious tactic to fight its opioid crisis: jailing addicts
State is placing persons who are involuntarily committed to treatment – the section 35 process – in jail or prison even though no charges have been levied against them
The scene plays out every day in Massachusetts, thousands of times a year.
A loved one is addicted to opioids. Their life is spinning out of control as they use more and more. Their family panics. Rehab can be unaffordable – and it may require waiting for a spot. But they need to get their loved one somewhere they can’t use before it’s too late.