Dear Advocates,

Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering Senate Bill 716, a dangerous proposal that would allow courts to force people with substance use disorders into treatment — whether they want it or not. This bill would expand the use of coercive, court-ordered treatment, instead of addressing the real needs of people impacted by addiction.

Forced treatment does not work.

Decades of research show that voluntary, community-based care is far more effective than forcing people into programs they are not ready for. Coercion increases trauma, pushes people further away from services, and even raises the risk of overdose after treatment.

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania’s current treatment systems are failing. Across the state, people are dying in our jails from preventable withdrawal complications because they are not receiving appropriate medical care. SB 716 will not fix these failures — it will only make them worse.

Addiction is a public health issue, not a criminal one.

We need real solutions: harm reduction services, housing, peer support, and voluntary treatment options that respect people’s dignity and autonomy.

Thank you for all you do!