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January 16th was the first day of the 2007 Legislative Session in New Mexico. Together we can have a huge impact, let's start today!Here are the first two steps you can take right now:
1. Take two minutes to send a letter to your legislators,urging them to support five critical drug policy reform bills. You cantake an additional minute to add a personal note at the beginning ofthe message. It's that extra touch that can reach the heart or mind ofa legislator. Talk about why you care!
2. Sign up forour first-ever Advocacy Day, to be held on Friday, February 16! What isan Advocacy Day? It'll be a great chance to meet like-minded people,and take direct action to get the bills passed. The day starts withtraining on how to advocate, including everything from how a billpasses, to how to find your legislator when they're not in theiroffice, and what to say when you meet with them. Then we'll take youover to the Capitol, where you'll have a chance to put your newtraining into practice. Finally, we'll meet up again in the afternoon,where we can debrief and share our experiences. RSVP is required!Please send your name and address to Julie Roberts, at jroberts@drugpolicy.org.
Do you know someone who might be interested in joining the Drug Policy Alliance Network Team? Invite them to join here. Our members receive urgent insider alerts to let them know how the bills are doing and what they can do to help.
At critical moments, you will have the opportunity to send letters,make phone calls, and come to the Roundhouse if you're able. Staytuned! It's going to be a wild ride!!
2007 Legislative Session Background:
Legal Access to Medical Marijuana
Medical research has firmly established that marijuana is amedically valuable treatment for some conditions because it canalleviate pain, increase appetite, and decrease nausea. The bill wouldallow qualified patients suffering from certain serious illnesses suchas cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy, to use medicalmarijuana for relief of their symptoms.
Pre-trial Diversion for Nonviolent Drug Offenders
This bill will divert nonviolent drug possession offenders intotreatment services, instead of prison or jail time. Treatment insteadof incarceration for first- or second-time nonviolent drug possessionoffenders will not only save New Mexico millions of dollars a year, butwill also make our communities safer by helping individuals receiveappropriate community-based substance abuse treatment. Nonviolent drugoffenders struggling with substance abuse or dependence need help, notjail.
911 Good Samaritan
New Mexico has the highest rate of drug overdose deaths in thecountry. These deaths are preventable! The most common reason thatpeople cite for not calling 911 for help when they witness an overdoseis a fear of police involvement. People using drugs are afraid to bearrested for possession of illicit substances, even in cases where theyneed professional medical assistance for their friends and families.This bill would prevent those arrests by offering amnesty to people whoseek medical attention.
Medicaid Coverage of Substance Abuse Treatment
As a first step to ensuring access to treatment for all NewMexicans, Medicaid should cover a range of substance abuse treatmentservices, including: detoxification, outpatient services, counseling,medication-assisted therapy and aftercare. Coverage of substance abusetreatment services should not increase overall Medicaid costs becauseof the cost savings in other medical expenses for those who seek andreceive treatment. Thirty-five other states cover substance abusetreatment under Medicaid.
Medication Assisted Therapy Pilot Project
The Buprenorphine Pilot Project at NM Women's Prison Bill wouldprovide funding for 2 years of focused anti-addiction medicationtreatment to 50 women inmates with a chronic history of narcoticaddiction who are approaching release back in to the community. In NewMexico, 75% of women who go to prison for the first time and have ahistory of heroin use will return to prison within 2.5 years. Thistreatment project will reduce that recidivism rate. The 600 womenincarcerated in the NM Women's Correctional Facility collectively leavebehind 1800 dependent children under the age of 18. Women repeatingcrimes and returning to prison for narcotic-related activities cost NewMexican taxpayers nearly $3,000,000 per year.
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