aa.young@setonhill.

edu

February 23, 2021

President Joseph Biden

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

Hello! Before introducing myself, I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
I am Amy Young, an aspiring social worker, and soon-to-be graduate from Seton Hill University
in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Over the course of these four years, I have dedicated myself to
advocating and helping those in need through my social work courses. Uniquely enough, I have
found a passion for working with a population that most of society considers to be outcasts and
outlaws, the prison population. Through my studies, I have learned that about 80% of this
community are diagnosed with either a substance use or mental health disorder, and some are
even faced with a co-occuring disorder, and yet very little is being done to help them. During this
time, I simply wanted to further educate myself so I could better help this population that I have
always wanted to work alongside. However, I feel as if it is my duty now to take action,
advocate, and become a change agent for this community. I am here to ask you to start requiring
prisons and jails to provide proper services to those dealing with a substance use disorder while
they are incarcerated.

Society often forgets that these people are still human beings, but this is nothing new to us
advocators. In fact, failing to provide the substance use community with the proper help they
need has been going on since the 1960s, stripping them of their dignity and rights. The book Zoo
Station: The Story of Christiane F., tells the biography of a young girl who falls victim to
developing a substance use disorder. She explains to us how she kept repeating the same cycle
because of the lack of appropriate services (F., Christiane, 1978, Zoo Station: The Story of
Christiane F.). This cycle is still happening 50 years later, unfortunately with the same scenario
playing out. They are arrested for the possession or usage of drugs, and are now serving their
time. During incarceration, this person starts to go through withdrawal, forcing harmful side
effects to occur with no aid from the institution. They are then released from prison, and without
any preventative measures taken, they have now ended up back to what they know, the usage of
substances. From there they go down one or two paths, either ending up back in prison, or face a
fatal overdose because their body can not compensate for the substance after withdrawing. We
need to put an end to our old punishment ways, and start responding in a helping way. The first
step is to implement the services and resources they are obligated to. Research has even shown
promising outcomes for in-prison treatment (Pelissier & Wallace, 2001, American Journal of
Drug and Alcohol Abuse, p. 315) These services are to include, but are not limited to, substance
use counseling, detoxification services, and withdrawal management. While this seems like a
small step, it is an important one, and is essential in aiding the substance use population.

As I have previously mentioned, our society looks down on prisoners and pass convicts, treating
them differently as compared to everyone else, whereas the themes of Catholic Social Teaching
believes differently. The theme “Life and Dignity of the Human Person” sees every human being
as sacred and precious, and should be treated with dignity and respect. As a society, we are not
giving this community any dignity by watching them suffer unnecessarily when help can be
provided. Through this theme, institutions are to also enhance the life and dignity of each person.
With this being said, it is then the duty of the prisons to provide services and resources for
individuals who are there and who are suffering. We cannot waste anymore time, we must start
treating these individuals as human beings.
(https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/seven-themes-of-catholic-social-teaching)

We also need to remember that we are to not judge others on their sins when we all fall at times.
The Spiritual Works of Mercy “Admonishing the Sinner,” reminds us that it is still our duty to
help others in any way we can and to walk with them through their journey. Regardless of
personal belief, it is now time to accept all back into our society as they are still human beings.
(https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/jubilee-of-mercy/the-spiritual-works-of-mercy)

Again, I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this letter as this topic means a great
deal to me. Unfortunately, substance use affects most of us to some capacity, including myself
personally. I hope we can come together as a nation to combat this issue. Stay safe and stay well.

Sincerely,

Amy Young
158 Market Street
Leechburg, PA 15656
aa.young@setonhill.edu