8. Youth Stabilization Programs
The state currently only funds four youth treatment programs, 1 female and 3 male youth residential programs in Massachusetts (Carlo, G, 2010). Limited systems exist for youth with only five recovery high schools in the commonwealth as well . Carlo et al, provide clarity in funding stating that it is achieved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Substance Abuse Services, local school districts, and educational collaborative/consortiums (Carlo, 2010). Recovery schools provide a structured environment with “smaller class sizes; individualized attention; licensed counseling services; and daily group meetings where students are able to discuss and process issues related to their education and …show more content…
When these persons pose a danger to themselves or others by virtue of their addictive behaviors, they may be involuntarily committed to treatment. Under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 123, Section 35 (Section 35), “any police officer, physician, spouse, blood relative, guardian or court official” can petition the court to commit a “person who he has reason to believe is an alcoholic or substance abuser” if that abuse “substantially injures his health or substantially interferes with his social or economic functioning, or… he has lost the power of self-control over the use of such controlled substances.” After reviewing the evidence to determine if the person is an immediate risk to himself or others, a judge may commit a person to treatment for up to 90 days. There are specific treatment programs that focus on serving individuals who are committed to treatment through Section 35 (Massachusetts Online Prescription Monitoring Program, 2015,