On October 31st, the Pennsylvania Society of Addiction Medicine (PSAM) sent a letter to state Senator Dan Laughlin expressing concern with his recently introduced legislation, SB 962. This legislation would expand Pennsylvania’s statutes to establish an involuntary commitment process for individuals administered opioid antagonists in response to a drug overdose.  

In the letter, PSAM noted that involuntary commitment is commonly cited as a strategy to address the ongoing overdose crisis. However, PSAM emphasized that involuntary commitment is not an evidence-based strategy. Specifically, PSAM cited research indicating that involuntary treatment is far less effective than voluntary treatment. Additionally, involuntary commitment often does not live up to the promise of expanding access to treatment, rather placing individuals in carceral settings. PSAM closed the letter by expressing a desire to work with lawmakers interested in addressing the overdose crisis by pursuing public health focused solutions to expand treatment and prevent harm.

Read the letter here.