State of Rhode Island secondary Archives: on Drugs
Allan Fung:
Opioid epidemic needs more programs & preventative education
Fung talked a little about his stances on policy, notably on the opioid epidemic, claiming that more treatment programs needed to be funded and that more preventative education must be a part of budgets going forward. "Enforcement is great, but you
also have to have a proactive approach with education, especially at a younger age," he said, adding that he hasn't taken an official stance on recreational marijuana yet, as he wants to study the topic more before committing one way or another.
Source: Cranston Herald on 2018 Rhode Island gubernatorial race
Nov 2, 2017
Dan McKee:
Proposed regulating a legal marijuana market
Rhode Island's elected officials have proposed three different legalization bills this year. The first was introduced by Governor
Dan McKee (D), proposing to regulate a legal marijuana market and award 25 licenses a year for the first three years.
Source: Filter magazine on 2022 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race
Jun 29, 2021
Gina Raimondo:
Jobs and insurance, to combat addiction
If we're going to save lives, we have to support people's recovery. This year, we're going to create a new job training program for people in recovery. There is no silver bullet in our fight against addiction, but helping Rhode Islanders in recovery to
get a good job will save lives. In the coming weeks, I'll propose legislation to make health insurance companies cover addiction and mental health treatment just like they cover diabetes or other chronic conditions.
Source: 2018 Rhode Island State of the State address
Jan 16, 2018
Gina Raimondo:
Address substance use disorders outside of emergency rooms
The Reinventing Medicaid Act of 2015 included more than 40 individual initiatives designed to transform how the state pays for health care services. The initiatives include:- Contracting with Accountable Care Entities that have a financial
incentive to manage the total costs and quality of care for Medicaid beneficiaries. To date, five Accountable Care Entities have signed up for the program.
- A special Accountable Entity program designed to serve Rhode Islanders with serious mental
illness, some of the most vulnerable and high-cost Medicaid clients.
- A program to address the needs of Rhode Islanders with substance use disorders so they are served better outside of the emergency room.
- A program to serve people who are at high
risk of homelessness.
- Reforms to the Cedar program which offer parents of children special needs with more choices and flexibility.
- Better enforcement, through new electronic monitoring systems, of Medicaid rules around waste, fraud and abuse.
Source: PR: Rhode Island voting record: Reinventing Medicaid Act
Feb 26, 2016
Gina Raimondo:
Legalize marijuana, since we're surrounded by legal states
Facing the "inevitable" prospect of being surrounded by states that have legalized recreational marijuana, Gov. Gina Raimondo will propose that Rhode Island do the same. "I do this with reluctance," she said. "I have resisted this for the four years
I've been governor. Now, however, things have changed, mainly because all of our neighbors are moving forward" with legalization.The proposal, included in her budget plan, would create one of the most regulated recreational pot industries in the
country, the governor said, aimed at reducing the health and safety problems experienced in some of the 10 other states that have approved recreational use in recent years.
For instance, it would prohibit home-growing of recreational pot, now allowed
in MA, ME, and VT, and ban high-potency products from recreational store shelves, such as "dabs," which are concentrated resins that are smoked.
If the proposal is approved by lawmakers, the first recreational stores could open by next January.
Source: Providence Journal on 2018 Rhode Island gubernatorial race
Jan 13, 2019
Jack Reed:
Weed and Seed: community policing & revitalize neighborhood
Funding will be awarded through the Weed and Seed program and will allow law enforcement officials in Pawtucket to focus on reducing drug-related crime in the Woodlawn neighborhood and reducing the incidences of overall crime in the community. The Weed
and Seed site in the Woodlawn community received official recognition in August of 2003.Four elements makeup Weed and Seed: law enforcement; community policing; prevention, intervention and treatment; and neighborhood restoration.
Law enforcement activities constitute the "weed" portion of the program. Revitalization, which includes prevention, intervention, treatment services and neighborhood restoration constitute the "seed" element. Community policing serves as "bridge"
to link the program elements together.
Prevention, intervention and treatment goals include providing safe havens and positive youth development. Neighborhood restoration goals include development of a comprehensive community strategies plan.
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2020 Rhode Island Senate race
Oct 2, 2004
Lincoln Chafee:
Legalize medical marijuana to relieve pain
Medical organizations throughout the country including the Rhode Island Medical Society and the American Medical Association have come to recognize the potential benefits of marijuana for medical use. Patients, many of whom are in tremendous pain,
stand to experience some relief. Governor Gregoire and I are taking this step to urge the Federal Government to consider allowing the safe, reliable, regulated use of marijuana for patients who are suffering.
Source: Rhode Island 2011 gubernatorial press release
Nov 30, 2011
Matt Brown:
Legalize cannabis, invest in drug overdose prevention
RI Political Cooperative Policy Platform: - Legalize cannabis
- Invest funding in mental health services and drug overdose prevention
-
End mass incarceration
[Brown heads this RI coalition].
Source: GoLocalProv.com on 2022 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race
Sep 22, 2021
Helena Foulkes:
We need to look at the long-term health effects of marijuana
Each candidate said they would vote for allowing legalized cannabis dispensaries in their hometown, though
Foulkes added that she thinks the state needs to look at the long-term health effects of marijuana.
Source: WJAR-TV (channel 10) on 2022 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race
Sep 6, 2022
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023