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An open and honest look at the dangers and human rights violations associated with drug possession arrests and forced treatment was the center Sunday’s Annual New Jersey Celebrates Recovery at the Middletown Arts Center, Help for Handcuffs Founder Randy Thompson said.

The event will be featured 8 p.m. Wednesday on NJ 12 News public station, Thompson [at right] said.

Based in Asbury Park, the nonprofit is an advocate and educational organization working to shift the legislative drug addiction stigma from a criminal act to one that offers compassion in order to help individuals get to the root of their addiction.

This is National Recovery Month and in honor of the recognition the forum addressed the pressing need for a new approach to drug use and substance use disorders given the increasing drug overdose deaths, increasing drug possession arrests and in-custody deaths, like that of Katie Lee Thomas, Thompson said.

The 21-year-old North Carolina woman was found unresponsive and not breathing while in Neptune Neptune Township Police custody on Aug. 17, according to a written statement from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. Charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and a disorderly persons offense, Thomas was pronounced dead at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.

“Compulsory treatment has become mainstream in New Jersey due to the changes in the Drug Court Program, and drug possession arrests have been expanding,” Thompson said in a written statement. “Central to the event was taking issue with the state’s policy to expand drug possession arrests and to force drug treatment. Drug Overdose Deaths are the third leading cause of death in New Jersey’s Drug Rehabs. Arrests cause violent risk and harm which was highlighted by the tragic death of Katie Lee Thomas.”

Internationally renowned addiction, recovery, and drug policy expert Stanton Peele [above right] was the featured speaker.

“Most people who use drugs stop on their own, even from the most serious addictions” Peele said. “When you tell people that they need treatment to recover from drug use it’s not true and it also destroys their motivation to do it on their own.”

The free event was coupled with a festive mix of music, art and entertainment, emceed by by NYC comedian Patrick Holbert. Visual artists David Kofke, Tracey Peel and Kristian Quistgaard work [shown above] will remain on display for the next month at the Middletown Arts Center.

For more information about Help Not Handcuffs, click here.

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