NCADD-MD Legislative Consultant, Ann Ciekot, spearheads this committee that advocates for an adequate continuum of treatment and recovery support services. The committee consists of treatment, mental health and other human service professionals and agencies, people in recovery, stake holders and interested individuals and family members. ATAC meets monthly (weekly during the legislative session) and is on the forefront to NCADD-MD’s advocacy and public policy agenda. A partial list of ATAC’s issues during the 2020-21 Maryland General Assembly included: Harm Reduction Initiatives, Peer Counseling; Involuntary Treatment; Crisis Response and Collaborative Care; Data Reporting and Sharing; Private Insurance and Health Care Reform; a number of Crime and Violence Bills; Parity Compliance and Clarity; Telehealth policies; Re-Entry Issues; and Legalized Sports Betting.
Join other advocates for substance use disorder (SUD) education, intervention, treatment, and recovery working for change in Maryland. Our mission is to advocate for an adequate continuum of treatment and recovery support services and to reduce the stigma associated with the disease of addiction. ATAC consists of treatment, mental health and other human service professionals and agencies, people in recovery, stakeholders and interested individuals. ATAC builds consensus, opens dialogue between advocates, and implements strategies intended to educate state policy and decision makers and elected officials on treatment and recovery issues.
ATAC meets monthly and is on the forefront of NCADD-Maryland’s advocacy and public policy agenda. Recent successes include:
- Removing obstacles preventing establishment of an adequate number of quality treatment programs to serve ALL individuals in need of substance abuse treatment services throughout Maryland, regardless of a person’s income or lack of income
- Eliminating barriers to achieve and maintain recovery, such as access to healthcare, housing, social service and entitlement programs, education, employment and restoration of voting and parental rights
- Assuring that those affected by the disease of alcohol and addiction are afforded the same rights and opportunities as persons affected by other illnesses
- Advocated for the passage of a bill that allows for free overdose prevention/response training where an individual will be trained in the administration of Naloxone (Narcan), a drug that can safely reverse an opioid-related overdose.
- Advocated for the passage of the Good Samaritan Bill that gives those who seek medical attention for a drug or alcohol overdose, or those who call for medical assistance on someone’s
behalf, immunity from criminal prosecution or civil liability. - Represented the field of Substance Use Disorders during the integration of regulations for mental health and addiction services with stakeholders, policy makers and government officials for the Behavioral Health Administration.