Sen. Ross Appointed to Commission on Substance Abuse

In light of the recent passage of legislation to provide opportunities for long-term
substance abuse recovery, Senator Richard Ross has been appointed to serve on a special
commission by Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr.

The commission is tasked with investigating the criteria for the treatment and monitoring of
nonviolent offenders with substance addictions, and to further expand effective evidence based treatment programs.

“As a member of the Senate Special Committee on Drug Abuse and Treatment Options in the
Commonwealth, I have spent the greater part of this year hearing about the devastating effects this disease has had on countless families across Massachusetts,” said Senator Ross. “What we need is effective methods of treatment for these individuals, and I am proud to be able to work with this commission to make this a reality for them.”

The commission was established in the substance abuse recovery bill, signed into law in August.

The law was built off of recommendations by the Senate Special Committee on Drug Abuse and Treatment Options, which Senator Ross was appointed to in January. Senator Ross also serves on the Joint Committees on the Judiciary, Public Safety, and Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

Please contact the office of Senator Ross with any questions or concerns at 617-722-1555 or
Richard.Ross@masenate.gov.

Article submitted by the office of Sen. Richard Ross