Support for Drug Policy Reform Offered at Massachusetts State House

Breakstone, White & Gluck partner David White testified at the Massachusetts State House on June 10, 2009 in support of changing Massachusetts laws to provide more treatment to non-violent drug offenders. White spoke in support of House Bill 1962, sponsored by Martin Walsh of Dorchester. Walsh’s bill would offer diversion to drug addicted individuals who had been arrested for non-violent crimes. The programs which would be expanded would allow more individuals to obtain treatment instead of incarceration.

White was the president of the Massachusetts Bar Association from 2007 to 2008, and formed the MBA Drug Policy Task Force. The Task Force is making recommendations for reforming drug treatment and sentencing policies. Policy changes would save the taxpayers money, reduce the rate of crime, and help rebuild families and communities.