Phoenix House to Mayor Adams: "NYers Need A Safe Place to Call Home - Not Forced Hospitalization"

NEW YORK, NY (08/14/2025) (readMedia)-- Today, Mayor Eric Adams proposed the "Compassionate Interventions Act," a state law with the explicit goal of expanding involuntary commitment for people suffering from substance use disorder (SUD). Set to be introduced in the 2026 Albany legislative session, the bill would commit New Yorkers experiencing mental illness to psychiatric facilities against their will.

Phoenix House CEO and President Ann-Marie Foster, a member of the NYSBA Task Force on Opioid Addiction, issued the following statement in response:

"New Yorkers suffering from substance use disorder will continue to suffer until they have the resources they need and decide for themselves to get well. Involuntary commitment for severe substance use disorder just doesn't work-and raises countless clinical and ethical concerns around patient autonomy and justice. For a person already experiencing severe homelessness and other issues, like so many New Yorkers right now, involuntary commitment for substance use disorder can actually increase their risk of substance use relapse and overdose. The proven solution to substance use disorder is comprehensive, wrap-around care to address these overlapping crises and make residents safer. There's simply no substantive data that shows that those with substance use disorder benefit from involuntary commitment. In fact, we've already seen the harm involuntary commitment poses for these individuals in states like Massachusetts. This administration will have a lot more success offering people a safe place to call home and community, rather than dragging them to the hospital. There isn't a strong way or a weak way to solve substance use disorder; there is an effective way and an ineffective way. And being truly compassionate with patient-centered care and housing is effective, not weak."

In New York City, approximately 207,000 individuals report receiving substance use treatment, and statewide, nearly 2.8 million individuals aged 12 and older struggled with substance use disorders (SUDs) in the past year. But up to 90,000 residents report an unmet need for substance use treatment, according to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

About Phoenix House:

For nearly 60 years, Phoenix House New York and Long Island has helped thousands of people overcome substance and alcohol use in order to lead healthy, productive, and rewarding lives. Born as a model for integrated substance use treatment, Phoenix House has grown into a treatment network that offers short-term and long-term residential, intensive outpatient, and general outpatient treatment. Phoenix House also offers treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, clinical services, medication for addiction treatment, health and wellness goals, and vocational and educational support.

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