Lawmaker proposes involuntary commitment for drug treatment

Those struggling with drug addiction could be hospitalized against their will under a bill being proposed by a New Hampshire lawmaker. State Sen. Jeb Bradley, a Republican from Wolfeboro, is proposing amending the state law that allows authorities to involuntarily commit people suffering from serious mental illness who pose a threat to themselves.

Drug overdose deaths increased significantly in past 5 years

Drug overdose deaths have increased by 33 per cent in the past five years across the country, with some states seeing jumps of nearly 200 per cent. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30 states saw increases in overdose deaths resulting from the abuse of heroin and prescription painkillers, a class of drugs known as opioids.