Join SMART Recovery's Efforts to Pass Legislation in New York

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Subject: Join SMART Recovery's Efforts to Pass Legislation in New York

Hello Friend,

We're writing to share an exciting opportunity to advocate for expanding access to recovery options for New Yorkers. We need your help in passing legislation (A.08163/S.07313), "Nonreligious Recovery Options," introduced by New York Assembly Member Harvey Epstein and Senator Peter Harckham (Chair of the Senate Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse), which would:

Ensure that anyone mandated by a court in New York to attend recovery meetings or treatment programs are made aware of their constitutional right to nonreligious options
Mandate that New York courts provide access to nonreligious alternatives to faith based treatment and recovery programs
Expand recovery options which expressly support Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for those in the criminal justice system

We urge you to sign up here to join SMART Recovery to advocate for the passage of the bill!

Today, individuals with criminal justice involvement account for 47% of all treatment admissions to New York State’s Office of Addiction Services and Support. However, the only support groups available for many participants are based on the traditional and faith-based 12-step model. Too often, individuals in the court system are denied access to nonreligious recovery options that are consistent with their values and personal beliefs.

The First Amendment right to secular recovery options is well-established—there is a long list of cases in which the courts, time and time again, have affirmed it as a constitutional right. Unfortunately for many New Yorkers, the way our criminal justice system operates on the ground doesn’t always protect this right, and as a result individuals suffering from substance abuse disorders are being coerced into faith-based programs, and denied the opportunity to choose a nonreligious, science-based organization like SMART Recovery.

Last year, a federal court ruled that an atheist's rights were violated when their parole was revoked for refusing to attend a faith-based rehab. This case took place in Colorado, but we know that it’s happening all over the nation and in New York.

You can help change that.

You might be asking what’s involved—no prior experience in advocacy is necessary! SMART Recovery’s government affairs consultant, Sarah Levin, will make sure you have the training and support you need to make your voice heard. If you would be willing to help with this advocacy effort, please let us know by signing up here.

To complete the form, first find out who your legislators are:

Look up your Assembly Member here.
Look up your Senator here.

If you have any questions, or would like to get more involved, contact Sarah Levin at: sarah@secularstrategies.com.

Thank you for your support.

SMART Recovery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

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Subject: Join SMART Recovery's Efforts to Pass Legislation in New York