Dems make it harder to protect kids
Reckless. There’s no other way to describe the combined impact of two new state laws on Connecticut’s children. One bill legalizes recreational marijuana, something which has been proven to have a damaging impact on young people’s mental health.
The other blocks parents from learning when a minor child is receiving mental health treatment.
With the votes of nearly every Democratic lawmaker and the swipe of the governor’s pen, it just got harder for parents to keep their kids safe in our state.
Last week, the U.S. National Institutes of Health published a study that found that marijuana use has been associated with a higher likelihood of suicidal thoughts, plans and attempts in young adults. Just hours later, Gov. Ned Lamont signed the bill legalizing marijuana, dismissing the fierce opposition raised by Connecticut’s medical professionals, including the state’s leading pediatric hospital.
The state’s medical experts testified before the legislature that legalization will increase youth access to marijuana, just as it has in other states that have legalized despite best efforts to protect children. They also raised concerns about the risk of extreme damage to a young person’s developing brain and mental and physical health. According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, from 20162019, hospital admissions for marijuana intoxication for those 18 years old and younger increased by 491 percent. That number will only rise following legalization, the medical community warns. Trust the science.
They followed the science during the pandemic, yet here we are and the science is being ignored by Democrats.
Not only did Democrats legalize a substance when abuse is already on the rise among children and which has been associated with serious mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts, but they are also making it harder for parents to help a child who is trying to hide mental health struggles from their loved ones.
Senate Bill 2, championed by Democrats, places further restrictions on when a parent can be notified by a medical professional that their minor child is receiving mental health or substance abuse treatment. Current law allows a minor to receive outpatient mental health treatment without parental consent for up to six visits. After the sixth session, parents must be notified unless it would be “seriously detrimental to the minor’s wellbeing.”
The rationale behind the current law is understandable to help children in difficult family situations, but Senate Bill 2 goes too far. It changes current law to allow a minor child to request and receive an infinite number of outpatient mental health treatment sessions without the consent or notification of a parent or guardian. Under the bill a health care provider may only notify a parent of treatment provided to a child without the minor’s consent in very limited situations. It also continues current policy which does not ever require notification of a parent if a minor is receiving treatment for substance use disorder no matter the circumstance. The result is parents of many children struggling with mental health challenges will never know what their child is going through.
As a parent and grandparent, I know it’s not always easy protecting our children. It’s our biggest goal and challenge in life. It’s what keeps us up at night, no matter how old our kids are. Substance abuse and mental health struggles are all around us and the best outcomes for people happen when their loved ones know and understand their struggles so they can best support them. While therapy and treatment from a medical professional is vital to recovery, so is a strong support system.
If a parent knows their child is seeking mental health treatment, they can be there for their child. If addiction is an issue, they can make sure their home is free from drugs. They can educate themselves about mental health, suicide prevention, and learn how to help someone who is in crisis.
During the pandemic, the rate of substance abuse, mental health struggles, and suicides increased, shining an even brighter light on the need to address these issues especially among young people. Yet Connecticut Democrats chose this year to increase access to a harmful drug that negatively impacts mental health and to decrease a parent’s ability to keep their child safe when facing these very struggles.
It’s becoming harder to protect and to parent in our state, thanks to Connecticut Democrats.
Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly represents the 21st Senate District including Monroe, Seymour, Shelton and Stratford. On the web: SenatorKevinKelly.com.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 to connect with a trained counselor or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. For help finding substance abuse treatment The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has information available at findtreatment.gov or by calling 1-800-662-4357.