This is a blog to discuss the views of the now 10 contenders to fill Nikki Tsongas’ seat representing the Massachusetts 3rd District. We have already discussed education policy, minimum wage, and healthcare. This week we will be discussing mental health. As stated previously, any candidate who does not have a website will not be discussed further in this blog, because I simply don’t have time for someone who isn’t serious when there are so many other serious candidates.
I was actually rather distressed by the lack of discussion of this important issue. All of the candidates talk about the Opioid epidemic, but no one talked about how to remove marijuana from the list of illegal drugs at the federal level to protect the Massachusetts businesses which, at the moment, are restricted to working entirely with cash because national banks are liable if they serve Massachusetts' marijuana dispensaries.
Alexandra Chandler wants to deal with the opioid epidemic at multiple levels, from the doctors who prescribe it to the street dealers who sell it illicitly. She has detailed plans on how she will do so. She also mentions wanting to help children with disabilities receive the treatment they need.
Barbara L'Italien focuses on increased mental health services for children with disabilities. She also says that we need to hold Big Pharma accountable for the opioid crisis.
Juana Matias wants to improve mental health services both in schools and in the juvenile justice system.
"Beej" Das wants to increase the availability of mental health beds, and sees this as key to solving challenges related to the opioid crisis and to other mental health crises.
Rufus Gifford says that we need to spend more money on the opioid crisis until there are no more overdoses.
Lori Trahan wants to destigmatize treatment programs for the opioid epidemic.
Dan Koh wants to increase spending on treatment and recovery programs for the opioid crisis.
Bopha Malone recognizes that addiction is a disease and should be treated as one.
Jeff Ballinger doesn't mention mental health at all.
Because my time is at a premium right now, and I make no money off of this blog, I will be cutting my reporting down to my top five candidates starting next week. The next edition of this blog, focusing on immigration, will only look at Rufus Gifford, Barbara L'Italien, Juana Matias, "Beej" Das, and Alexandra Chandler. The other candidates have not impressed me thus far in this race.
