"We are thrilled that the Senate Judiciary Committee just defeated Senate Bill 586, which would expand a dangerous and harmful law that threatens pregnant women and new mothers who are trying to overcome an addiction to drugs with jail time instead of working to ensure that they have access to effective treatment options. We are grateful to Senators Bell, Bowling, Harris, Kyle and Stevens for opposing expanding a law that is hurting Tennessee women and families.

Health professionals and drug treatment counselors agree that treatment for addiction is critical, but they also agree that bills that focus on punitive measures in order to coerce people into getting treatment simply are not effective.

We know that Tennessee has a problem with addiction, especially in areas where people struggle with poverty and joblessness, but instead of separating families and using limited state funds to jail people, we should be working to ensure that people have access to cost effective treatment options.

Every Tennessean should have the support and the access to health services and programs that enable them to manage their health and to care for their families. That is what we need - not bills based on judgment, stigma and personal beliefs. We need serious solutions to the serious challenges that we are facing. We commend the Senate Judiciary Committee for their action today in support of health care, not handcuffs.

We will continue to educate policy makers and the public about the challenges facing people struggling with addiction in our state. We hope to have a positive impact on creating a better policy for this issue for Tennessee."