BATON ROUGE, LA – More than a year after creating the Drug
and Specialty Court Commission, the Louisiana Legislature has given final
passage to SB 145 by Senator Rick Ward – a bill that expands and improves drug
and specialty courts across the State. As Chairman of the Drug and Specialty
Courts Commission, Attorney General Jeff Landry applauded the Legislature and
its dedication to true criminal justice reform.
“In an overwhelming, bipartisan manner – the Louisiana House
of Representatives voted to repair the damage caused by the opioid epidemic and
to improve the safety of all our State's citizens,” said Attorney General Landry.
“This bipartisan criminal justice reform will help reduce crime, reduce
recidivism, and reduce drug abuse while making our communities safer and saving
our hard-earned tax dollars.”
As Commission Chairman, Attorney General Landry led a
coalition of stakeholders to produce SB 145 – including representatives from
the Louisiana Supreme Court, Highway Safety Commission, Public Defenders Board,
District Judges Association, Police Jury Association, Sheriffs Association,
District Attorneys Association, and Legislature. He emphasized that once signed
by the Governor, the law will not only increase the number of arrestees
evaluated for suitability but also increase program availability, capacity, and
quality.
“Drug courts reduce crime, reduce drug abuse, and reduce
costs to taxpayers; and they improve community and personal health by
prioritizing things like education, employment, family reunification, financial
stability, and housing,” explained Attorney General Landry. “By investing into
drug courts the recoveries from those profiting from the opioid epidemic,
Louisiana will directly attack the effects of the crisis – saving families and
their loved ones from the deadly cycle of addiction and incarceration.”
SB 145 creates a Drug and Specialty Court fund in the state
treasury to deposit compensation recovered from opioid manufacturers,
marketers, and sellers who stoked the fire of the epidemic. The fund would be
disbursed to state and local entities which provide and enable treatment courts
across Louisiana.
“Drug and specialty courts hold people accountable and
connect them to evidence-based treatment – something that protects public
safety and promotes public health,” continued Attorney General Landry. “By
prioritizing early intervention and empowering proven programs, we can save
lives and build a better future for our children.”
SB 145 is the latest of many attempts by Attorney General
Landry to combat the opioid epidemic in Louisiana. In addition to
investigations and lawsuits against those who helped create and prolong the
crisis, he has lobbied Congress for more stringent oversight of opioid
manufacturers and distributors. Attorney General Landry has also partnered with
the Louisiana Ambulance Alliance to create the “End the Epidemic LA”
informational campaign. Through a legal settlement, he has made Naloxone
available to Louisiana's first responders – at no cost to their agencies.
Additionally, Attorney General Landry has joined Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Louisiana and the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators to place
drug take back boxes throughout the State. And he has entered into partnership
with hospice organizations to provide them with drug deactivation pouches so
nurses can safely dispose of drugs left over from their patients.
“The opioid epidemic rages on but so does my commitment to
end it and hold responsible those who contributed to the opioid abuse, misuse,
and addiction that have destroyed so many Louisiana families,” concluded
Attorney General Landry. “I am grateful for the support by our Legislature in
this cause, and I look forward to the Governor signing SB 145 into law as soon
as possible.”
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The Senate Judiciary C Committee unanimously passed SB 145
on April 19. The full Senate passed the bill by a vote of 37-0 on April 26. The
House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice unanimously passed SB 145
on May 19. The full House passed the bill by a vote of 94-0 on May 27.