California’s lawmakers are reportedly so frustrated by the increase in deaths from drug overdoses that they are ready to try something radical: using state tax dollars to pay people to stay clean and sober.
According to NBC News, this approach is not new. The federal government has been doing it for years with military veterans. Supporting research shows that it is an effective way to stop using addictive drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine.
The “contingency management” program would help addicts earn small incentives or payments for every negative drug test. Most people who progress through the treatment without any positive drug tests can make a few hundred dollars in cash or on a gift card.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has asked the federal government for permission to use tax dollars for the program through Medicaid, which covers nearly 14 million people in the state.
