Michigan Votes Forum

I feel this bill would be helpful in tracking minor drug and alcohol use. We just do not want it to become to burdensome on the hospitals with the paper work

My concern with this bill is that after a drug or alchol abuse is reported to law enforcement the focus will no longer be on rehabilitation and help for the patient, but will be all about criminal punishment. Otherwise I do not understand what the purpose of reporting to LE would be. I fear that more and more adults and minors will be battling the criminal justice system instead of getting help and support for a possible addiction. There should be some safeguards for individuals seeking help, otherwise they will NOT seek the help they may need.

My first instinct reading this was that people who NEED medical attention for overdose or underage drinking will hesitate to get it for fear of being sent to jail- particularly if others offer to help. It would seem like it is a slippery slope. Let's say a teenager drinks "way too much" at a party and stops breathing. If those kids knew about the law they might not take her to the hospital, for fear of her going to jail- the same thing for someone suffering from an overdose.

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Steve

Alaska Drug Treatment Centers

Hat’s off. Well done, as we know that “Hard work always pays off”, after a long struggle with sincere efforts it’s done.

Steve

Alaska Drug Treatment Centers

 House Bill 4773 introduced by Rep. Kevin A Elsenheiver keep minors from seeking necessary medical help with drug overdosing and alcohol intoxication.  That could lead to the death of the minor.  Instead perhaps mandating confidential counseling would produce the best outcome in the majority of cases. Or if someone must be notified, notify the parents instead of law enforcement. I am opposed to this bill.

This bill is a good example of bad ideas for dealing with abusive alcohol consumption by young people.  It should be rejected by the Legislature.

Our (Michigan’s) various draconian laws enacted to stop “underage” alcohol consumption actually tend to spur abusive use of alcohol in that population.  In other words, those laws make matters worse, rather than better.  What we really should be doing is (a) tell prohibitionist organizations like MADD to take a long hike into oblivion, and (b) enact reasonable laws that promote responsible alcohol consumption by young people.