Novus Medical Detox Comments on Proposed California Bill—Drug Users Need Treatment Instead of Prison Sentences
New Port Richey, FL (PRWEB) November 04, 2013 -- As drug abuse continues its rampage on American society, many are questioning the effectiveness of sentencing addicted individuals to years in the prison system. As a result, a recent legislative measure in California sought to deem simple drug possession a misdemeanor rather than a felony, making rehabilitation an option (1). Although the bill was vetoed by Governor Jerry Brown, Novus Medical Detox, one of the only Florida-based detox centers serving high-dosage drug abuse patients, continues to encourage treatment as the best long-term answer for drug addiction. Novus also maintains that rehabilitation is influential in reducing prison overcrowding and the subsequent financial burden on American taxpayers.
Drug abuse treatment programs are typically much less expensive than the alternative of incarceration (2):
●The average cost of one full year of methadone maintenance treatment (used to wean an addicted individual off drugs) is approximately $4,700 per patient;
oSeveral conservative estimates show that every dollar invested in addiction treatment programs yields a return of between $4 and $7 in reduced drug-related crime, criminal justice costs, and theft;
●One full year of imprisonment costs taxpayers approximately $24,000 per person.
Novus Executive Director, Kent Runyon, states that not only are safe and effective detox centers critical in stopping the growth of abuse, they are the only dependable long-term option for anyone struggling with addiction.
“If a substance abuser serves a period of incarceration without quality drug or alcohol treatment to address the source of their addiction, upon release they will likely return to society much more at-risk,” said Runyon. “Because they now have the stigma of a felony on their record, they often struggle to find employment along with many additional stressors and pressures that incarceration brings.”
Runyon maintains that individuals afflicted with addiction are no longer predominantly “street people” or “hardcore addicts”, but were once contributing members of society who unwittingly became addicted after being prescribed medications following surgeries or injuries. Treatment, per Runyon, is not only the most critical step in recovery, but it is also the most difficult.
Novus opened its doors with the purpose of fixing the detox process to ensure that anyone could overcome addiction comfortably. By utilizing a combination of medical protocols with a proprietary I.V. vitamin cocktail as an effective means of weaning addicted individuals off drugs with minimal distress, the detox center handles the toughest of drug and alcohol cases, many of whom are rejected from other facilities as “too high a risk.”
Novus’ I.V. vitamin integration is tailored to each individual’s needs to replenish nutrients lost during drug abuse, allowing Novus to effectively treat high-dose patients. By paying particular attention to strengthening patients’ bodies during the detox process via proprietary medical protocols, medical staff members at Novus say that this aspect is the difference between detox being “too fearful to confront” and returning to a life of sobriety.
Novus advises those who are dependent on any abusive substance(s) to seek out safe, medically-supervised detox programs, and to use those with integrated medicine that allows the detox process to be as comfortable as possible.
To learn more about the Novus Medical Detox center and its addiction and detox programs, visit http://www.NovusDetox.com.
About Novus Medical Detox Center:
Novus Medical Detox Center offers safe, effective alcohol and drug treatment programs in a home-like residential setting. Located on 3.25 tree-lined acres in New Port Richey, Fla., Novus is licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families as an inpatient medical detox facility. Novus is known for minimizing the discomfort of withdrawal from prescription medication, drugs or alcohol by creating a customized detox program for each patient, incorporating medication, natural supplements and fluid replenishment—putting the dignity and humanity back into drug detoxification. Patients have 24/7 medical supervision, including round-the-clock nursing care and access to a withdrawal specialist, and enjoy comfortable private or shared rooms with a telephone, television, DVD player and high-speed Internet access. For more information, visit http://www.novusdetox.com.
1.McGreevy, Patrick October. "Gov. Brown Vetoes Bill Allowing Misdemeanors for Cocaine, Heroin." Latimes.com. Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2013. Web. 01 Nov. 2013. latimes.com/local/political/la-me-pc-gov-brown-vetoes-bill-allowing-misdemeanors-for-cocaine-heroin-20131012,0,1729845.story.
2.“Is Drug Addiction Treatment worth Its Cost?” Drugabuse.gov. National Institute on Drug Abuse, Dec. 2012. Web. 23 Oct. 2013. drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/drug-addiction-treatment-worth-its-cost.
Karla Jo Helms, JoTo PR, 888-202-4614 Ext: 802, [email protected]
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