April 11, 2014 – RI Future

Last night the Senate Committee on Judiciary heard a full agenda of election bills. You’ll read a lot in the Projo and RI Future about the Voter ID repeal legislation Senator Gayle Goldin sponsored, and that deserves attention. But there were a number of other really important pieces of legislation that are largely being ignored in the shadow of the fight over Voter ID.

One of the untold stories about the Voter ID fight in Rhode Island is that it has distracted us from making actual improvements to our election system that could have a direct and measurable improvement for voters. Just this week the Pew Center came out with a 50 state ranking of election administration. While the average state improved 4.4 percent from 2008 to 2012 Rhode Island stagnated. So Rhode Island, which was once hailed by the Brennan Center as a leader in voter registration, is now losing ground.

Two of the other bills being heard last night would help us catch up:

S 2676 by Senator Gayle Goldin creates a system for online voter registration. In 2008 there were only two states that allow voters to register to vote, or alter their registration, using an online tool. As of last week, there are 22 states that have authorized such systems. In states where online voter registration has been adopted tens of thousands of citizens have taken advantage. Since we know that the more likely threat to election integrity are poor voter rolls, a system of online registration is the real way to reduce our dirty rolls and prevent registration fraud. Here’s the kicker; online voter registration not only makes it easier for people to register and change registration, but it saves cities and towns a ton of money.

S 2237 by Senator Erin Lynch creates a system of in-person early voting. Currently 32 states have some sort of in-person early voting. Rhode Island clings to a system from the 19th Century designed to accommodate an agricultural society where in-person voting only happens on Election Day. Senator Lynch’s bill would provide for evening and weekend hours accommodating citizens who lead 21st Century lives. In recent years Rhode Island has shortened Election Day by an hour and increased the number of voters per precinct. As the rest of the country makes advances, we retreat. In-person early voting has even been cited such as Hurricane Sandy.

While it’s right to be concerned about Rhode Island’s Voter ID law, let’s not forget there are a lot of areas where we need to make improvements.

Each day we read and hear that an increasing number of people are dying due to an overdose of drugs (usually opiates). At the time of this writing close to 80 deaths can be attributed to individual’s using heroin mixed with fentanyl. Despite warnings and media coverage the toll continues to rise.

Unfortunately, this situation has been brewing for some time. As a culture we have adopted ‘a pill for every occasion’ attitude. While modern medicine has brought many wonders, an over-reliance on medicinal interventions, especially for anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns is troubling. All too often treatment has been reduced to a pill. All too often counseling therapy and behavioral modifications have been minimized, while medicines have been given center stage. Doctors and the Pharmaceutical Industry need to tighten up on many procedures. In addition, the general public needs to examine its value set. We need to become better informed about the pros and cons of the drugs offered to us. We also have to ask, are we using our prescriptions appropriately?

The proliferation of prescriptions written for anxiety and depression has had a ‘good news, bad news’ effect. The good news is that many suffering from often debilitating conditions are now given relief. The bad news comes from the fact that other strategies (that should be implemented along with prescriptions) are ignored. The end result of this is that the development of coping skills is becoming something of the past.

Adding fuel to the argument are the mixed messages we often send out about drugs. Our prisons are filled with individuals who have been found guilty of drug possession and delivery. At the same time far too many wearing ties and lab coats make millions and sit as members of the Chamber of Commerce while over prescribing powerful medications. We have become accustomed to listening to Doctors. It appears as though some do not deserve that trust. Whatever happened to the Hippocratic oath?

Much of the present opiate crisis can be attributed to pain relief. Many addicts have become hooked on powerful medications due to their seeking help for chronic pain. Where once experts used terms like ‘Gateway Drugs’ to discuss a common line of progression for addicts – things have changed. Many new addicts did not use tobacco, alcohol and marijuana. Some go directly to opiates. Then, once hooked, resort to heroin as a cheaper alternative (once an addiction sets in).

We have a ways to go in terms of addressing this crisis. Already advocates are pushing to expand the availability of Narcan to help curtail overdose deaths. In addition, measures are being put in place to better monitor faulty ‘scripts. These initiatives are a good first step, but much more is needed. Extra emphasis needs to be placed on education and prevention. Also, emphasis needs to be placed on balancing medications with alternatives (like Counseling Therapy). Many communities have created Drop-off Bins in an attempt to ameliorate the abuse of opiates.

The city of Providence is going all out in that regard on April 26^th (the Elmwood Avenue site will include food, music and more). Other communities around the state are also getting on board to address what has now become the leading cause of accidental deaths. Much more needs to get done, now is a good time to start.

Day: April 11, 2014

Voter ID not the only election bill that deserves attention

Sometimes, legal drugs are the problem