OnTheIssuesLogo

Jim McGreevey on Drugs

Former Democratic NJ Governor

 


Offer behavioral drug treatment to addicted inmates

Heroin addiction impacts a person's sobriety, judgment, and behavior. Addict inmates have repeatedly told me of spending up to 90% of their time trying to secure their next "hit." Running, gunning and doping are a lifestyle to sustain one's addiction.

The US has roughly 2 million incarcerated persons. Upwards of 70% of incarcerated persons are clinically addicted to drugs/alcohol. 25% of violent offenders in state prisons committed their crime under the influence of a harmful substance. Nationally, only 15% of addicted inmates received professional addictions treatment. The cost of treatment is disproportionately offset by a reduction in drug usage, criminal behavior, and an accrued savings.

New Jersey licenses "clinically based" treatment behind bars. As Hudson County Corrections' Center has recognized, the empty time behind bars provides a structured setting to interrupt drug use and initiate treatment best practices.

Source: Newark Star Ledger OpEd on 2017 New Jersey governor's race , Dec 16, 2015

Transition addicted inmates to outpatient drug treatment

[Under NJ's in-prison drug treatment program], counselors offer intensive daily treatment: from sunrise until sunset, clients move from a morning prayer & community meetings to didactics focusing upon sexual abuse, anger management, & domestic violence. As a wizened priest shared, "We can't think our ourselves into new behaviors, but we can behave ourselves into new thinking."

By creating a community apart from the general incarcerated population, the addict adopts new healthy behaviors. Within the daily ritual of the therapeutic community, the addicts mimic new behaviors.

The addict moves from jail to structured, sober housing. Through Mayor Steve Fulop's foresight, at Martin's Place in Jersey City we offer intensive outpatient treatment for addicts and co-occurring treatment for addicted persons with mental health disabilities. If a person fails to abide by the requirements of the addictions treatment protocol, the client is subjected to judicial monitoring or sanctions.

Source: Newark Star Ledger OpEd on 2017 New Jersey governor's race , Dec 16, 2015

Strengthen penalties for drug-related crimes

Source: 1997 N.J.Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test , Jul 2, 1997

Other governors on Drugs: Jim McGreevey on other issues:
NJ Gubernatorial:
Doug Steinhardt
Hirsh Singh
NJ Senatorial:
Andy Kim
Cory Booker
Curtis Bashaw
George Helmy
Hirsh Singh
Rik Mehta
Robert Menendez
Stuart Meissner
Tammy Murphy
Gubernatorial races 2025:
New Jersey Governor:
Virginia Governor:
    Democratic primary June 17 cancelled:
  • Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025
  • Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.)

    Republican primary June 17 cancelled:
  • Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025
  • Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot
  • Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent
  • Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited
Mayoral races 2025:
NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:
  • Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council
  • Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021.
    Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4:
  • Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent
  • Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney
  • Curtis Sliwa, Republican; CEO of the Guardian Angels

Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)
    Non-partisan general election Nov. 4:
  • Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education
  • Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997)
  • Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004)
  • James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017)
  • Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023)

Oakland CA Mayor
    Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025:
  • Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025)
  • Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election
  • Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024
Abortion
Budget/Economy
Civil Rights
Corporations
Crime
Drugs
Education
Energy/Oil
Environment
Families/Children
Foreign Policy
Free Trade
Govt. Reform
Gun Control
Health Care
Homeland Security
Immigration
Infrastructure/Technology
Jobs
Local Issues
Principles/Values
Social Security
Tax Reform
War/Iraq/Mideast
Welfare/Poverty

[Title9]





Page last updated: Jun 01, 2025; copyright 1999-2022 Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org