Carl Alves: Opioid Legislation Great Start, But Not Without Flaws

Governor Charlie Baker this week rolled out proposed legislation that looks to curb opioid abuse and treat those addicted to opioids. The legislation seeks to allow doctors to retain and evaluate addicts for three days and recommend long-term treatment, while limiting new opioid prescriptions to a three day supply.

Carl Alves, director of Positive Action Against Chemical Addiction, says the plan isn't perfect, but it's a big step in the right direction. "But it does add additional resources for professionals, medical, as well as law enforcement and others to kind of address the issue when you see people that are in a chronic spiral downwards," says Alves.

Alves says under the proposal, if a person was committed to treatment against their will, they would still have the option to sign themselves out of a facility.

But Alves adds Baker has the right approach in treating addiction as a mental illness instead of criminal behavior.