|
Chris Christie on Drugs
|
|
|
Drug addiction is a disease & it can be treated
In these past two years, you've joined me in applying this principle to those who face special challenges in life, including the disease of drug addiction. In this last year, we expanded the mandatory drug court program you helped me enact into four new
counties, building on those in which courts were established immediately after the law's enactment in 2013.I have a simple view of this. Drug addiction is a disease. It can happen to anyone, from any station in life. And it can be treated.
Most importantly, every life is an individual gift from god and no life is disposable. We have an obligation to help people reclaim their lives. And if we have the tools to help those with this disease to save their own lives, we should use them.
Requiring mandatory treatment instead of prison for non-violent drug offenders is only one step--but an important one. Treatment is the path to saving lives, and for as long as I am governor, treatment will be mandatory in our system and I will not yield
Source: State of the State address to 2015 New Jersey Legislature
, Jan 13, 2015
Drug courts: mandate treatment, not imprisonment
We must reach out a hand of compassion and common sense to those who commit non-violent crimes. We must do a better job of reclaiming their lives and putting them back on the road to success and engagement with society. My belief is simple: every
human life is precious, and no life is disposable.That is why I proposed last year to change our approach to non-violent drug offenders, and mandate treatment, not imprisonment. Together, we made this possible.
The drug court program has been a success, thanks in part to your support in funding both the court and the treatment.
And I thank you for passage this past year of the Overdose Protection Act. We should not be prosecuting those Good Samaritans and health professionals who are trying to help in a life-threatening overdose situation.
Source: 2014 State of the State address to N.J. Legislature
, Jan 14, 2014
1995: Applied 25% of county salary to drug addict residence
1995: Applied 25% of county salary to drug addict residence
At the January 1995 freeholder meeting where he was sworn into political office for the first time, he wasted little time making waves, asking fellow freeholders at that first session to
1995: Applied 25% of county salary to drug addict residence
The money saved by those moves was applied to treatment beds for drug-addicted county residents at Daytop Village.
Source: Rise to Power, by B. Ingle & M. Symons, p. 50
, Jun 5, 2012
Blocked implementation of medical marijuana laws
[When Christie switched publicly from pro-choice to pro-life in 2011], his critics said Christie was pandering to the right wing of his party with an eye toward garnering their support in a future campaign for national office.
Some thought the same when he tossed up a series of roadblocks in the implementation of a medical marijuana law that had been signed into law by Corzine the last day before Christie took office.
Christie said he worried the law could lead to problems like those experienced in California and Colorado. His administration advanced rules that limited the strength of the marijuana that can be grown and sold, and
18 months after the bill's enactment most of the 6 medical marijuana centers that are planned haven't found homes, as local residents fend off the new businesses.
Source: Rise to Power, by B. Ingle & M. Symons, p.202
, Jun 5, 2012
Drug treatment rather than non-violent offenders in prison
Let us reclaim the lives of those drug offenders who have not committed a violent crime, by investing in drug treatment--in an in-house, secure facility--rather than putting them in prison.Treating non-violent drug offenders is 2/3 less expensive than
housing them in prison. And more importantly--as long as they have not violently victimized society--everyone deserves a second chance, because no life is disposable.
I am not satisfied to have this as merely a pilot project; I call for a transformatio
of the way we deal with drug abuse and incarceration. So today I ask this Legislature to join me in this commitment that no life is disposable.
I propose mandatory treatment for every non-violent offender with a drug abuse problem, not just a select
few. It will send a clear message to those who have fallen victim to the disease of drug abuse--we want to help you, not throw you away. We will require you to get treatment. Your life has value. Every one of God's creations can be redeemed.
Source: N.J. 2012 State of the State Address
, Jan 17, 2012
Outlaw designer drugs labeled as "bath salts"
Gov. Christie yesterday signed SCS-2829, criminalizing the manufacturing, sales, & possession of designer drugs labeled as "bath salts" in New Jersey. The bill, known as "Pamela's Law," was named in memory of a student murdered by an individual under the
influence of "bath salts." Gov. Christie noted, "By signing Pamela's Law, we are continuing to address the real world impact of these so-called 'bath salt' designer drugs. These chemicals have no valid medical use and can only cause life-threatening
harm to those who ingest them."
These designer drugs, labeled as "bath salts," have been associated with intense, severe side effects that have led to suicidal thoughts and violent outbursts. They are frequently marketed as cocaine substitutes and
recently had been available for purchase on the internet and in retail establishments such as smoke shops. Unlike other legitimate substances that are misused to produce a high, like glue or gasoline, these "bath salts" have no other legitimate purpose.
Source: Press release, "Banning Designer Drugs: Bath Salts"
, Aug 23, 2011
Page last updated: Jan 19, 2015
