I am writing to urge the New York State Legislature to pass Casey’s Law, establishing a humane and court-supervised process for involuntary addiction treatment. This appeal is deeply personal, as it speaks to the heart of an issue that many New York families face: the devastating impact of addiction on loved ones and the barriers to accessing timely treatment before their condition deteriorates further.

Across New York, countless families endure the heart-wrenching experience of watching someone they love struggle with addiction. These families, often desperate and feeling helpless, are told there is little they can do until a crime is committed. This painful wait compounds the suffering of all involved and leads to unnecessary tragedies that could be prevented with proactive interventions.

Casey’s Law provides a pathway for families to request court-ordered addiction treatment for their loved ones, allowing them to intervene before it's too late. This law is already in place in other states such as Kentucky and Ohio, where it has proven effective in saving lives. By adopting similar measures, New York State can offer families a way to support their loved ones in a compassionate and structured environment, focusing on recovery and rehabilitation rather than incarceration.

Statistics reveal that addiction affects thousands of New Yorkers, contributing to the opioid epidemic and an escalating number of overdose deaths. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, New York saw over 3,000 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2020 alone. These figures should stir us to action—highlighting the urgent need for legislative measures like Casey’s Law that equip families with options to prevent such outcomes.

Let us not wait until more families crumble under the weight of preventable loss. New York has the opportunity to set a precedent by prioritizing rehabilitation over punishment, demonstrating care and responsibility for those battling addiction. Our families need Casey’s Law because every day we delay is another day addiction claims the lives of those we love.

I implore the New York State decision-makers to listen to the voices of their constituents, prioritize public health, and pass Casey’s Law. Families across the state deserve the chance to save their loved ones from the grip of addiction before the unthinkable happens.

Please sign this petition to show your support for families in crisis and to advocate for progress in addiction treatment legislation in New York.