Too many people suffering from addiction are being arrested and incarcerated before they can get help. No one should have to get arrested to get access to treatment.
Ask Governor Schwarzenegger to sign AB 1887, the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Bill!
The bill, sponsored by Assembly Member Jim Beall (D-San Jose), would require health insurance plans to cover mental and substance abuse disorders the same as other chronic health conditions like asthma and diabetes. Parents would not have to call the police to get their children the help they need. They could call the family doctor.
AB 1887 has passed out of the legislature and is headed to the governor’s desk after the state budget is passed. But don’t wait!
Tell the governor that you support expanding access to treatment. It’s good public health policy and it’s cost effective!
Write and send your personal support letter, asking the governor to do the right thing and support working families struggling with alcohol and drug problems. One in four California families needs this help. This is not someone else’s problem.
Then find out more about the Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act Proposition 5 on the November state ballot and what we are doing to expand access to treatment for young people and nonviolent drug offenders in California. Sign up for weekly campaign updates
here.
Sincerely,
Margaret Dooley-Sammuli
Deputy Campaign Manager, Yes on 5
Deputy State Director, Southern California, Drug Policy Alliance Network
More Information:
AB 1887 Fact Sheet
Full Text of the Bill