Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, John Cornyn, Sheldon Whitehouse, Thom Tillis, Amy Klobuchar, and Maggie Hassan have introduced the Supporting Treatment and Recovery Over Narcotics for Growth, Empowerment, and Rehabilitation (STRONGER) Act. The aim of the bill is to reduce recidivism and break the cycle of addiction by updating and reauthorizing the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners (RSAT) program.

According to Dr. Cassidy, the bill is an opportunity to give inmates a second chance at a new life. He believes that by providing treatment and recovery resources to incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders, prisons can create a path for inmates to rebuild their lives free of addiction.

Senator Cornyn also supports the bill, stating that treatment programs can help incarcerated individuals struggling with substance abuse build better lives while in prison and continue their recovery after they are released. He believes that the bipartisan legislation will ensure the RSAT program can continue to improve lives and reduce recidivism rates across the country.

The RSAT program was established under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. It provides grants to every state and U.S. territory, which are then used to provide substance use disorder treatment programs to individuals under their supervision. These grants also provide community-based aftercare and post-release treatment.

The STRONGER Act seeks to reauthorize RSAT funding for Fiscal Years 2025-2029 and make critical updates to the program. These updates include:

- Expanding access to medication-assisted treatment

- Incorporating cognitive behavioral therapy

- Providing employment and transitional housing support

- Enhancing mental health services

The STRONGER Act has garnered support from a wide range of organizations, including the Addiction Policy Forum, American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, American Correctional Association, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and many others.

By addressing substance abuse in prisons and providing comprehensive treatment and support, the STRONGER Act aims to reduce recidivism rates and give incarcerated individuals the tools they need to overcome addiction and build better lives after their release.