— The last thing Lizabeth Loud wanted, a month from giving birth, was to be forced into treatment for her heroin and prescription painkiller addiction. Three years later, Loud said her month in state prison, where Massachusetts sent civilly committed women until recent reforms, was the wake-up call she needed. Research suggests involuntary commitment largely doesn’t work and could raise the danger of overdose for those who relapse after treatment. Massachusetts stands out because, until recently, it sent those civilly committed for drug addiction to prisons. As for Loud, the Massachusetts woman civilly committed while pregnant, she said she has found peace.

Source: National Post May 23, 2018 04:30 UTC