Apr. 15, 2016
HARRISBURG—Legislation sponsored by Rep. John Taylor (R-Philadelphia) to help students who are struggling with drug addiction has passed the House Education Committee.
House Bill 1827 would establish a four-year pilot recovery high school program for students in recovery from substance abuse.
“It has been shown that students who return to their previous high schools following substance abuse treatment are much more likely to relapse than those students who participate in a school specifically designed to provide the assistance, support and intervention that is needed to prevent a relapse from happening,” Taylor said. “The pilot recovery school program would give these young students a support system around them so they can get their lives back on the right track and become productive and successful members of their communities and of our workforce.”
Currently, there are 35 recovery high schools in 15 states that are recognized by the Association of Recovery Schools.
In February, Taylor visited Bridge Way, a recovery school in Roxborough, an alternative to traditional public school that through positive peer encouragement, on-site intervention support services, and academic curricula designed for students, helps students stay drug-free. It serves students in nineth-12th grades who seek a challenging academic program in an environment that requires, supports and honors sobriety.
“Bridge Way is showing how it can be done,” Taylor said. “We need to build on what they’ve accomplished.”
Taylor has been holding community meetings throughout the 177th District to help parents understand the tools available to help family members recover from drug addiction.
Representative John Taylor
177th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: David Foster
267.207.0207
dfoster@pahousegop.com
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