Group Six Partners has been active in lobbying for removing barriers to addiction recovery in the Nevada Legislature since the 79th session in 2017. Over the past two regular sessions, we've learned that stigma remains the most significant barrier in Nevada and that stable policy change takes time and investment in relationships.
“Stigma remains the most significant barrier to addiction and mental health recovery in Nevada. ”
Three legislators have established records of actively removing barriers to addiction through legislation. Each is up for reelection this year and should be fully supported so they may continue work they've already begun in the legislature.
Sustained policy change takes time and requires cultivating relationships. That is why voters who support recovery should support:
Senator Scott Hammond,
Assemblywoman Connie Munk, and
Assemblyman Steve Yeager for election to the Nevada Legislature's 81st session.
INVESTING in RELATIONSHIPS: Recovery and Policy
Successful progress in policy and politics is about cultivating relationships to advance change, and accepting that sometimes lasting change takes time and diligent effort. Re-electing legislators who have advanced recovery forward bills is part of our long-term investment in them.
ELIMINATING STIGMA
In 2019, we saw the most sweeping piece of legislation passed. Assembly Bill 367, the "stigma bill" had unanimous support and is scrubbing antiquated statutory references to "drug addict" and "substance abuser," replacing all instances with "person-first language" like, "person with addiction" or "person with an addictive disorder." Revising the language eliminates a de jure stigma favoring punitive measures over far more effective treatment and recovery support. Additionally, these terms remind everyone involved that this is a person, not a disease. As the language unfurls – all public institutions will orient to the new language, and "stigma" will dissolve from our laws and regulations.
Nevada became the fourth state to enact person-first language in their statutes. Assemblyman Steve Yeager is a dynamic leader and ally for recovery advocates and should be supported for reelection.
Assemblyman Steve Yeager
Nevada became the fourth state to enact person-first language in their statutes. Assemblyman Steve Yeager is a dynamic leader and ally for recovery advocates and should be supported for reelection.
PATIENTS and Peers
In the last session, two bills were quietly championed by both incumbents and first-term lawmakers alike. Prohibiting deceptive trade practices by treatment providers and providing for peer recovery support specialists certification.
PATIENT BROKERING: profiteering FROM RELAPSE
"Patient brokering" and deceptive trade practices became illegal in Nevada, thanks to Senator Scott Hammond. His bi-partisan legislation targeted nefarious addiction treatment facilities who profit from relapse or recurrence of use. Patient brokering and deceptive trade practices have been significant issues in Florida and California. Both states have worked diligently to jail patient brokers. Thankfully, this practice is not rampant in Nevada, and Nevada is not a haven for such bad actors thanks to Senator Scott Hammond
Senator Scott Hammond
His bi-partisan legislation targeted nefarious addiction treatment facilities who profit from relapse or recurrence of use.
PEERS and Recovery support
First-term Assemblywoman Connie Munk picked up a peer certification bill following Assemblyman Mike Sprinkle's resignation. This bill would have provided standards for trained paraprofessionals with lived experience recovering from addiction to assist others on the often-complicated road to recovery beyond acute treatment. The bill failed to pass, but the issue remains.
During the interim, Assemblywoman Munk has continued learning more about Southern Nevada's entire mental health system as a diligent member of the Clark Regional Behavioral Health Policy Advisory Board and other interim committees.
Nevada still needs it. Peer recovery support specialist standards and legislators who have experience in their bills' success and failures. Assemblywoman Munk has lived experience in legislation challenges, and she deserves reelection to continue this work.
Assemblywoman Connie Munk
During the interim, Assemblywoman Munk has continued learning more about Southern Nevada's entire mental health system as a diligent member of the Clark Regional Behavioral Health Policy Advisory Board and other interim committees.
It’s time to decide whether recovery moves forward
Among Nevada legislators, there is not a prominent champion for recovery. Instead, numerous supportive voices in both houses collectively can improve access to addiction recovery and mental health. Senator Scott Hammond, and Assemblyman Steve Yeager, and Assemblywoman Connie Munk are thought leaders and policy drivers in the legislature. They deserve support for reelection to continue the great work they have already started.
“While suicide, overdose, addictive disorders, and trauma are all on the rise, the challenge now is for advocates to decide if they are supportive allies and willing to be long-term partners with legislators who already support them. ”
RECOVERY – LIKE POLICY – IS A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT
Advocates and lobbyists know the value of cultivating relationships and investing in the process. Recovery, like policy, is a long-term investment. The payout is in the immediate reduction of harm to the fully engaged citizen recognizable as a valuable member of their families, communities, and workforce.
People in recovery understand that fits and starts are part of progressing toward lasting change. More valuable than the most recent use or relapse is the ongoing learning resulting from being part of a supportive community.
I encourage everyone who supports Nevada's recovery to support Senator Scott Hammond and Assemblywoman Connie Munk, Assemblyman Steve Yeager. These three will continue breaking down recovery barriers in Nevada.