Amicus Brief Concerning Cameron Douglas, Son of Actor Michael Douglas

Two months ago NYSAM was asked to sign onto a amicus brief concerning a person (Cameron Douglas, son of actor Michael Douglas) who used drugs while in prison and was given 5 years additional sentence. The person had not been offered any treatment. Although we were not willing to say that he definitley should have been maintained on opioid agonist therpy during his time in prison, we did say that he definitely should have been given some treatment and medications considered. The brief was filed by the Drug Policy Alliance. Many of us do not agree with many of  the positions of the Drug Policy Alliance, but our board felt that we did agree with this. Since then, this and NYSAM have received much press coverage including the New York Times and Time magazine  (http://healthland.time.com/2012/05/21/the-case-of-cameron-douglas-prison-is-not-rehab-say-addiction-experts/).  Several of our NYSAM members are involved in prison issues at the state and national level.

Please click here to read the entire brief and if you have an opionions send them to Norm Wetterau at normwetterau@aol.com.

The New York Times story of the Douglas amicus brief, here is subsequent media coverage spawned by the Times article. 

Below please find links that appeared on Time Magazine’s website, in the New York Post, the Huffington Post and Village Voice.   It is likely that an article will also appear in Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly. 

TIME.com   http://healthland.time.com/2012/05/21/the-case-of-cameron-douglas-prison-is-not-rehab-say-addiction-experts/ 

NY Post:  http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/michael_douglas_son_appealing_prison_NFts2Crvgsg5x5dg7MN0hL

Huffington Post:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anthony-papa/doctors-support-treatment_b_1533243.html

Village Voice:  http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2012/05/drug_policy_adv.php