(NASHVILLE) — A measure sponsored by State Representative Michael Curcio (R-Dickson) during the 2018 legislative session is already producing a positive impact on Tennesseans who are battling addiction.
As part of the ongoing efforts of Representative Curcio and House Republicans to address Tennessee’s opioid and drug crisis,House Bill 1929 — known as the Stopping Addiction & Fostering Excellence (SAFE) Act — ensures that patients who utilize recovery houses in Tennessee receive high quality care that empowers them to overcome their struggles with addiction. The measure passed almost unanimously in both the House and Senate Chambers back in April and was signed into law by Governor Haslam in early May.
Since its creation, there has been a dramatic increase in sober living facilities across the state applying for membership with the Tennessee Alliance of Recovery Residences (TNARR). This nonprofit organization was established to evaluate and monitor the quality of care in the rapidly growing field of addiction recovery related services across Tennessee. The TNARR is known and recognized for endorsing best practices related to the operation of these types of facilities.
Additionally, many of Middle Tennessee’s most reputable treatment providers have begun solely referring patients to TNARR-certified recovery residences. This guarantees they will receive high quality care from facilities that are focused on implementing a more customized and targeted treatment plan to better assist them in their recovery efforts.
“It is exciting and rewarding for me to see the positive impact that the SAFE Act is already having on our residents who desire help in their battle with addiction,” said Representative Curcio. “I know this initiative will lay a foundation for responsible sober living laws across our state that will help more Tennesseans end their cycle of addiction by utilizing services that provide the best care possible.”
Tennessee’s opioid epidemic claimed the lives of more than 1,600 Tennesseans in 2016 alone. Each day in our state, at least three people die from opioid-related overdoses. This is more than Tennessee’s daily number of traffic fatalities.
For more information about House Bill 1929, please click here.
Michael Curcio serves as Vice-Chairman of the House Criminal Justice Committee. He is also a member of the House Insurance & Banking Committee, as well as the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. Curcio lives in Dickson and Represents House District 69, which includes Hickman County, as well as parts of Dickson and Maury Counties. He can be reached by email at:[email protected] or by calling (615) 741-3513.