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Press Release

It is a terrible thing to see your generation being destroyed, not by poverty or starvation, but by addiction. I see people I grew up with who have died or are dying from addiction to Oxycontin and heroin. This issue is very personal to me and very important to me. This disease affects all of us. So, I am grateful that every candidate in this race has made drugs a key part of their platforms. Mark has talked about an increase rehab facilities so supply for rehab can keep up with demand. Mike has talked about programs that keep kids off the streets to make sure kids have role models and stay away from drugs. I give my opponents their due credit, because all of our community is in this together; and with a problem as big as drugs it’s going to take more than one man’s ideas…it’s going to take the best of all of us to tackle this problem head on.

• Drug Court:

For decades, we’ve heard politicians talk about the War on Drugs because it’s a way of looking tough on crime. But look around. The war is not won? We are losing battle after battle in the war on drugs. We need a new strategy, and a new way of thinking, because we are not at war with the people of Massachusetts. The drug courts are a second chance for nonviolent offenders convicted of drug offenses. Offenders are required to meet with a judge on a regular basis, attend treatment programs, and submit to regular and random drug testing.

The quantifiable benefits of drug courts are hard to ignore. Drug court keeps prisons from being overpopulated, lowers crime, actually fights drug addiction AND is cheaper than our current method of detention. We need real solutions to the terrible drug epidemic that is plaguing our community and this much is clear: we cannot arrest our way out of this problem

• Veterans Drug Court:

I will propose legislation that will create a Veterans Court in Massachusetts. Veterans need their own  diversion programs because of the unique connection of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and brain trauma to drug and alcohol abuse that leads to most of crimes committed by veterans. This court will be based on the Drug Court model, but defendants will have access veteran mentors, Veteran support groups, and Veterans Affairs representatives. Through collaboration with all of these veterans groups, this court will provide a network of support to veterans dealing with PTSD and addiction while keeping them out of jail.

• Drug Rehab for Pregnant Women:

I will work to fund a media campaign that urges pregnant women who are addicted to drugs or alcohol seek treatment. I will fight to ensure that drug rehabilitation facilities give priority admittance to pregnant women; and I will work with all state and local agencies to make sure rehab facilities that treat pregnant women are equipped to provide proper prenatal care and counseling because the health of their child is at stake. I believe that this strategy is vital because we won’t just be saving one life, we will be saving two.

Due to space limitations, I am unable to provide my entire drug policy in this editorial. So please check out bombardforstaterep.org to see my entire strategy to fight this epidemic.