Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington, will travel to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to moderate a discussion on the impact of heroin and opiate addiction on the criminal justice system.
The discussion about addiction treatment, alternatives to incarceration and recidivism rates is part of a forum sponsored by the Council of State Governments Justice Center, according to a press release from the senator and the council.
Vermont has seen an increase in use of heroin and opiates in recent years, according to state data.
“Coming from a state like Vermont, there are unique challenges that rural communities face when it comes to these issues,” Sears said in a statement.
Sears, who is chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the state’s experiences and successes with addiction has been “well-documented.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead and contribute to a national discussion on this important topic to continue collaborating and help other states shift toward the same progressive direction that Vermont is now moving,” Sears said.
Sears will be joined on the panel by federal addiction experts, and officials from Ohio, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.
Gov. Peter Shumlin is the keynote speaker.
