(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R,C,I-Glen Head) is co-sponsoring legislation known as the Family Crisis Addiction Act (A.9619) that will provide family members with necessary tools through the court system to help loved ones suffering from addiction.
“Addiction, relapse, overdose – these are words we never want to hear, especially about someone whom we know and love” said Montesano. “Communities throughout the state have been victimized by the grave heroin epidemic, and we desperately need to regain control and help the many individuals and families who have already been affected.”
The Assembly Minority conference introduced a plan earlier this year that would help tackle the dangers of drug abuse by providing suitable treatment and rehabilitation for those suffering, educating communities on the severity of addiction and working with law enforcement to ensure they are properly equipped to protect communities throughout the state.
“The new legislation that I am sponsoring goes a step further by allowing concerned family members the ability to intervene with their loved one’s life-altering addiction through involuntary rehabilitation and treatment programs. While taking this step can be scary for everyone involved, it will direct suffering individuals to the help that they desperately need.
“Far too often, families are not provided with adequate options to help a loved one combat the dangerous disease of addiction. Rather than being forced to watch a spouse, sibling, parent or child continue down a dangerous path, this legislation grants families the ability to take legal action and seek court intervention to protect them,” Montesano said.
