
	More and more people are seeking alternatives to incarceration for non-violent drug offenses. However, a new bill was introduced in New Jersey that would increase sentences, in some cases up to four times longer for people convicted of heroin or fentanyl related offenses. Listen in to this opiate recovery support group as the members discuss their opinions on this bill.


	Discussion Guide:


	What is your opinion on harsh sentencing for people convicted of drug-related offenses?


	Would longer sentences serve as a significant deterant to drug use and sales?


	Do you believe that incarceration offers effective substance abuse treatment?


	Is treatment of opioid dependence different from treatment of other substances? And are prisons able to provide the gold standard of opioid treatment such as Medication Assisted Treatment?


	What would you recommend as an alternative to incarceration for drug related criminal charges?


	Supplemental Reading:


	Britni de la Cretaz, New Bill Could Quadruple Prison Time for Opioid-Related Offenses, http://www.thefix.com/new-bill-could-quadruple-prison-time-opioid-related-offenses


	 

Shorter, or Longer Sentences for Drug Related Criminal Charges?

Listen in to a support group of people who are in recovery from heroin addiction or addiction to pain pills

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

Self-Improvement


	Sometimes it is helpful to have a guide to assess the health of your recovery. The Maryland Assessment of Recovery Scale (MARS-12) is a questionnaire designed to track your recovery progress. Take the test yourself at the link below, and listen in to this opiate recovery support group as members respond to the questionnaire items. 


	Discussion Guide:


	Do you feel good about your recovery progress? 


	Are you confident that you can get back on track if you relapse? 


	Do you have a fulfilling and satisfying life?


	If not, what changes need to be made? 


	Supplemental Reading:


	Maryland Assessment of Recovery Scale – MARS-12, https://forms.liveandworkwell.com/member/forms/screener_mars.asp?siteId=3648&clientName;=Optum%20Idaho%20Behavioral%20Health%20Plan

How’s Your Recovery? Take a Test


	Controlled Substances Act (CSA) developed out of concern with the influence of narcotics in American life. The drugs are ranked based on their usefulness in medical treatment, and their potential for abuse. Or, are they? Listen in to this opiate recovery support group as they discuss the discrepancy between what is actually harmful and what is made illegal. 


	Discussion Guide:


	Why are some drugs illegal, and others are not?


	What is the Controlled Substances Act? How many scheduled classifications are there?


	Is the aim of CSA to protect individuals and the public, or something else?


	In spite of extensive harm that comes from alcohol and tobacco, why isn't they classified in the Controlled Substances Act? 


	In your opinion, what substances cause the most harm to the individual and others? What classification are these substances? 


	Which substances are the least harmful to the individual and others?


	Do you believe the scheduled classifications match the level of harm for each substance? 


	Supplemental Reading:


	Nicole Lee and Jarryd Bartle, http://theconversation.com/history-not-harm-dictates-why-some-drugs-are-legal-and-others-arent-110564


	David DiSalvo, Study Reveals What Binge Drinking Could Be Doing To Your DNA, https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2019/01/30/study-reveals-what-binge-drinking-could-be-doing-to-your-dna/#22afec545d7a

There is a Discrepancy Between What is Actually Harmful and What is Made Illegal


	Author, Beth Macy, of Dopesick states that it takes the average user eight years and five to six treatment attempts just to achieve one year of sobriety. Listen in to this opiate recovery support group as they discuss different types of treatment and the lengths they went through to achieve abstinence.


	Discussion Guide:


	Name the various types of detox and recovery treatments for substance abuse.


	How many times did you seek treatment before you achieved one year of abstinence?


	Why did it take so many attempts before you reached abstinence?


	What are the barriers that you faced as you sought treatment?


	Supplemental Reading:


	Beth Macy, Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America



		 
	


It Could Take Eight Years to Achieve One Year of Abstinence


	Rather than discuss a particular topic, this week focuses on our group member's personal issues. Listen in to this opiate recovery support group as the members check in on their lives. 


	Discussion Guide:


	How is your recovery?


	What are your personal concerns?


	What do you aspire to?


	Do you need help?


	How does group support help you?


	 

Group Members Check In


	Addiction is a progressive disease. However, not every disease becomes a disability. Listen in to this opiate recovery support group as they discuss their thoughts about when addiction qualifies as a disasability. 


	Discussion Guide: 


	Do you believe that addiction is a disability? In what way?


* 
		Can addiction cause disability?
	
* 
		Does the disability of certain brain chemistries cause addiction? 
	
* 
		Is addiction a symptom of disability? 
	
* 
		A disease is not necessarily a disability. At what point does your disease turn into a disability?
	
* 
		At what stage of addiction do you think someone would qualify for charitable contributions?
	


	What determining criteria would you use for whether an addict should qualify for disability funds?


	If you were given financial assistance for your disease of addiction, would it be helpful or hurtful to your recovery?


	Supplemental Reading:


	https://www.disabilitysecrets.com/social-security-disability-drug-addiction.html


	https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/alcohol-abuse/faq/alcoholism-drug-addiction-disabilities/


	https://www.asamcontinuum.org/knowledgebase/what-are-the-asam-levels-of-care/


	http://www.courtinnovation.org/sites/default/files/RANTSummaryVlavianos.pdf

Shorter, or Longer Sentences for Drug Related Criminal Charges?

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