3. In Massachusetts, nearly 5% of people over 11 abuse opioids. The study found tha...

In Massachusetts, nearly 5% of people over 11 abuse opioids. The study found that 4.6% of people over the age of 11, or more than 275,000 in the state, abuse opioids. That's nearly four times higher than previous estimates based on national data, the study authors said.

Western Mass perspective here...

Portugal actually had a serious drug crisis for a while.

What works in Portugal - might not work in Springfield or Holyoke.

...actually using it to help addicts. ...extra funding from freeing up the jails and excessive task forces into rehabs

In Western Mass, they are already working on it. Another initiative is found here.

While there are some good arguments for decriminalizing drugs, the reality on the ground is far more complicated. Dealers are getting caught with unregistered or stolen firearms. In both Springfield and Holyoke, people are getting shot on a regular basis over drug related issues. The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families is swamped with the children of addicted parents, and they often have nowhere to house these kids.

In addition, how can you treat "addiction as an illness" when many folks are "treatment resistant" or refuse to acknowledge the problem. They aren't going into treatment willingly, and excuses like "I can't do it on my own" are pretty common. The Court system often ends up being responsible for getting addicted individuals into detox treatment centers and Intensive Outpatient Programs. Due to high rates of non-compliance, Probation ends up having to administer drug screens and monitor their progress. Absent this oversight, most folks would stop going shortly after intake.

...freeing up the jails Judges are already being criticized for short "drugs only" sentences already as people are getting rearrested on a frequent basis. As you can well imagine, most of these folks have already promised the Judge that they are getting into treatment. It's often the common additional charges regarding firearms, home invasions, theft, violence (etc.) that weigh on the incarceration issue.

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