National Advocacy

About LAC's National Advocacy
The Legal Action Center (LAC) is the only non-profit law and policy organization in the United States whose sole mission is to fight discrimination against people with histories of addiction, HIV/AIDS, or criminal records, and to advocate for sound public policies in these areas.  LAC advocates nationally for more effective public health responses to alcohol and drug addiction and to protect the rights and dignity of people in recovery or still suffering from the disease of addiction.  Additionally, LAC helps improve the criminal justice system by aiding qualified people with criminal records obtain employment and services needed to re-enter society successfully, assisting programs that work with them, and conducting public policy advocacy and research to reform sentencing laws, expand community corrections, and promote other sound policies.

Through our Washington, D.C. office, LAC advocates with Congress, and the Administration to improve our federal laws and policies in order to end discrimination against people in recovery or still suffering from addiction; expand funding for life-saving alcohol and drug treatment, prevention, and recovery services and research; and protect privacy of treatment records and information.

 The Work

The Legal Action Center has two primary areas of focus.  First, LAC seeks to expand and improve addiction services nationwide.  This includes ensuring that equitable and adequate alcohol and drug treatment and recovery support are an integral part of the health care system, including in national and state health care reform initiatives.   

Click here for more information on LAC's work to expand and improve addiction treatment services nationwide.

 

Second, LAC works to end discrimination against people with an addiction or criminal record history.  This includes requiring parity insurance coverage so that everyone who is addicted can receive the care they need.  For people with a criminal record history, LAC has worked to remove many of the barriers they face, including in employment, housing, and public assistance. 

Click here for more information on ending discrimination. 

 

Expanding & Improving Addiction Treatment Services

Ending Discrimination

Expanding funding for drug and alcohol treatment, prevention and research

Expand funding for programs serving people with criminal records

Recommendations for comprehensive healthcare reform

Reentry legislation, including the Second Chance Act

Expanding coverage of addiction treatment through the Medicaid program

Repealing the ban on student loans for people with drug convictions

"Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act"

Housing opportunities for qualified individuals with criminal records

Ending discrimination for people in recovery from addiction

Drug law sentencing reform

TANF/Welfare coverage for people with addiction histories

Providing higher education opportunities for incarcerated individuals

Protecting confidentiality

Juvenile justice

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Reauthorization (SAMHSA) process

Employing individuals with criminal records through the National H.I.R.E. Network 

 Partners

The Legal Action Center is partners with the State Associations of Addiction Services (SAAS), the leading association of drug and alcohol treatment and prevention programs in the nation.  Click here to learn more about SAAS.