Some say Sheriff Nick Cocchi’s approach to addiction treatment is among the best in Massachusetts — but some say jail is the wrong place for recovery

MassLive July 13th, 2019 By Shira Schoenberg  James Felchner has spent time in jail — and he says the facility where he’s getting addiction treatment doesn’t feel much different. “You go outside, you got barbed wire. You’re in numbered cells,” Felchner said. “We get a few extra privileges compared to a jail, but we’re still in […]

MA report: Reform forced addiction treatment process

AP July 6th, 2019 BOSTON (AP) — A state commission is recommending Massachusetts end the practice of sending men with substance abuse issues to correctional facilities for treatment. The report released this week by the Section 35 Commission also opposes efforts to expand use of civil commitment and calls for reforms to the court-ordered process. Read more…

Advocates decry practice of jailing men for addiction treatment

The Boston Globe June 26th, 2019 By Felice J. Freyer A 31-year-old man named Jonathan stood up before a crowd in a State House lounge Wednesday and spoke about a horrific experience. In April, he said, his family abruptly decided that he needed treatment for his drinking. So they took advantage of a state law called […]