Jim McGreevey in 2017 NJ Governor's race

On Drugs: Offer behavioral drug treatment to addicted inmates

Heroin addiction impacts a person's sobriety, judgment, and behavior. Addict inmates have repeatedly told me of spending up to 90% of their time trying to secure their next "hit." Running, gunning and doping are a lifestyle to sustain one's addiction.

The US has roughly 2 million incarcerated persons. Upwards of 70% of incarcerated persons are clinically addicted to drugs/alcohol. 25% of violent offenders in state prisons committed their crime under the influence of a harmful substance. Nationally, only 15% of addicted inmates received professional addictions treatment. The cost of treatment is disproportionately offset by a reduction in drug usage, criminal behavior, and an accrued savings.

New Jersey licenses "clinically based" treatment behind bars. As Hudson County Corrections' Center has recognized, the empty time behind bars provides a structured setting to interrupt drug use and initiate treatment best practices.

Source: Newark Star Ledger OpEd on 2017 New Jersey governor's race Dec 16, 2015

On Drugs: Transition addicted inmates to outpatient drug treatment

[Under NJ's in-prison drug treatment program], counselors offer intensive daily treatment: from sunrise until sunset, clients move from a morning prayer & community meetings to didactics focusing upon sexual abuse, anger management, & domestic violence. As a wizened priest shared, "We can't think our ourselves into new behaviors, but we can behave ourselves into new thinking."

By creating a community apart from the general incarcerated population, the addict adopts new healthy behaviors. Within the daily ritual of the therapeutic community, the addicts mimic new behaviors.

The addict moves from jail to structured, sober housing. Through Mayor Steve Fulop's foresight, at Martin's Place in Jersey City we offer intensive outpatient treatment for addicts and co-occurring treatment for addicted persons with mental health disabilities. If a person fails to abide by the requirements of the addictions treatment protocol, the client is subjected to judicial monitoring or sanctions.

Source: Newark Star Ledger OpEd on 2017 New Jersey governor's race Dec 16, 2015

The above quotations are from 2017 New Jersey Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts from 2017 New Jersey Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Jim McGreevey. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Jul 26, 2019