Cornyn, Alexander Introduce Amendment to Boost Mental Health Treatment in Criminal Justice System

Press Release

U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, introduced an amendment to the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act that would address the common link between mental health and substance abuse in the criminal justice system. The amendment is based on provisions from Sen. Cornyn's Mental Health and Safe Communities Act.

"Opioid addiction is destroying families and robbing millions of Americans of their future. Yet we have to recognize that our criminal justice system is not always the best place to help people suffering from addiction, especially when mental illness plays a role," Sen. Cornyn said. "By expanding substance abuse treatment programs and providing transitional services, we can help more people get back on their feet with a fresh start."

"Our criminal justice system needs to address the unique challenges facing Americans who suffer from both mental illness and addiction to alcohol and drugs. More time in prison is not always the best answer, and this amendment will help them get the treatment they need. I thank Senator Cornyn for his leadership on this amendment and look forward to working with him on broader mental health legislation to address the mental health crisis facing our country," said Sen. Alexander.

The amendment - called The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Reform Act - would:

Expand the drug court grant program to include specialized co-occurring disorder courts;
Expand the federal residential substance abuse treatment grant program to address co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders;
Require DOJ to establish a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health court pilot program in at least one federal judicial district; and
Amend the Second Chance Act to include the provision of transitional services (including housing) for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders who are re-entering society from a state prison system.

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