Cornyn and Whitehouse introduce STRONGER Act to expand prison substance abuse treatment

U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Sheldon Whitehouse introduced the STRONGER Act on September 25, 2026, to expand substance abuse treatment in prisons by updating the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners (RSAT) program. Meanwhile, the Regina Drug Treatment Court in Saskatchewan celebrated its 20th anniversary, highlighting the long-term impact of rehabilitation programs. The court has graduated 152 individuals since 2006, demonstrating the efficacy of structured recovery over incarceration.

Introduction and support for the STRONGER Act

• ▪The STRONGER Act, introduced by Senators John Cornyn and Sheldon Whitehouse, is endorsed by multiple organizations, including the National Criminal Justice Association, the National Association of Social Workers, and the Major County Sheriffs of America
• ▪U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Sheldon Whitehouse introduced the STRONGER Act on September 25, 2026, to update and reauthorize the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners program.

Proposed updates to the RSAT program

• ▪The STRONGER Act, introduced by Senators John Cornyn and Sheldon Whitehouse, would update the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners program by allowing greater access to Medication-Assisted Treatment and requiring affiliations with doctors who can administer it
• ▪The STRONGER Act, introduced by Senators John Cornyn and Sheldon Whitehouse, would expand training requirements under the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners program to encourage best practices for reentry and continuity of care

RSAT program funding

• ▪The Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners program, established under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, provides grants to states and territories for substance use treatment.
• ▪The Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners program grants also fund community-based aftercare and post-release treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and transitional housing.

Overview of the Regina Drug Treatment Court

• ▪The Regina Drug Treatment Court in Saskatchewan celebrated its 20th anniversary on September 25, 2026, having begun operations in October 2006.
• ▪At the Regina Drug Treatment Court's launch in October 2006, Regina was one of six Canadian cities with a drug treatment court, which has since expanded to the Battlefords and Moose Jaw
• ▪The Regina Drug Treatment Court has produced 152 graduates since it began operations in October 2006.
• ▪The Regina Drug Treatment Court is a voluntary program where participants plead guilty, delay sentencing, and undergo 12 to 18 months of intensive day treatment and drug testing.

Experiences of Regina Drug Treatment Court graduates

• ▪Ryan McCorriston, a 2014 graduate of the Regina Drug Treatment Court, stated the program saved his life and led him to become president of the program's alumni.
• ▪Darrian LaPlante, a 2023 graduate of the Regina Drug Treatment Court, stated the program taught her accountability and helped her work toward becoming a nurse.

Clifford Toth's reflections

• ▪Retired provincial court judge Clifford Toth, the inaugural judge of the Regina Drug Treatment Court, stated the program successfully proved skeptics wrong over its 20-year history.
• ▪Retired provincial court judge Clifford Toth stated that the Regina Drug Treatment Court started with a grant and hopes to help those in most need.

Debatable claims

• ▪The federal government is responsible for funding substance abuse treatment in state prisons
• ▪Prisons should provide medication-assisted treatment to inmates with opioid use disorders
• ▪Managing addiction treatment is an appropriate role for law enforcement agencies
• ▪Drug treatment courts do more to reduce recidivism than traditional incarceration