Local opinion: Bipartisan bill provides addiction support, protects civil liberties

As a proud fifth-generation Tucsonan, my family’s roots in this desert city stretch back over 160 years. In 1896, my ancestors helped shape the Flowing Wells Community, including service on the Flowing Wells School Board. I’ve continued that legacy with pride, serving on the school board for 25 years —currently as its president — carrying forward a deep commitment to public service, and opportunity for our citizens.

Since 1978, Flowing Wells has been my home. My wife, Marie, and I have raised our family here while serving as neighborhood leaders, working alongside our neighbors to foster a safe, thriving community. In 2007, Flowing Wells was honored as an All-American City in the neighborhood category — a testament to the resilience and spirit of our people.

Tucson is a city rich in culture, diversity, and innovation. We’re nationally recognized for our water conservation efforts and strong community bonds. But while there is much to celebrate, we cannot ignore the challenges we face: rising crime, substance use disorder, and the urgent need for compassionate, effective solutions to homelessness. These issues touch every neighborhood and threaten the well-being of our entire city. As a registered Democrat, I recognize these are not partisan issues, these are our issues.

In 2022, I began noticing a disturbing trend in my own neighborhood — our once clean and well-maintained washes leading to the Santa Cruz River were increasingly filled with garbage, mattresses, syringes, and human waste. Neighbors reached out to me with serious concerns about crime, drug use, and unsafe encampments. As someone who’s long admired Tucson’s leadership in water conservation, I found this environmental degradation alarming. It became clear that relying on volunteers to clean hazardous waste without addressing the root causes was both ineffective and unsafe.

That’s why I co-founded the Tucson Crime Free Coalition — to address these complex issues with compassion, collaboration, and evidence-based solutions. From day one, we’ve engaged directly with individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction. We’ve partnered with nonprofits and healthcare experts, participated in police ride-alongs, and observed our court systems. These efforts have deepened our understanding of systemic challenges and highlighted the need for humane, proactive strategies that prioritize prevention and community wellbeing.

One of our most impactful collaborations has been with Pima County. Under the leadership of Administrator Jan Lesher and Deputy Administrator Steve Holmes and support from the Supervisors, TCFC was able to help launch the Pima County Transition Center. Overseen by Kate Vesley and Doyle Morrison, the Transition Center provides support, housing, medical care, and treatment for individuals exiting incarceration. In its first year, recidivism for those who took services dropped from 27% to 11%, saving taxpayers nearly $1 million — proof that prevention works.

TCFC has also led on legislative change. Last legislative session we ran a bill that was modeled after California’s CARE Court, but it was not signed into law. In 2024, then-Democratic Supervisor Sylvia Lee took interest in our efforts and convened a coalition of experts — legal, medical, and community leaders — to help craft Senate Bill 1257, sponsored by Republican Senator Vince Leach. This bipartisan bill allows for up to five days of stabilization and treatment for individuals in life-critical crises, while safeguarding civil liberties and due process. It has been supported by Mayor Regina Romero and Councilmember Karen Uhlich as a compassionate and pragmatic solution.

Current Arizona law mandates that individuals detained for narcotics use must be released within 24 hours — a window too short for meaningful care. SB1257 expands that window, giving people a real chance at recovery. By lowering recidivism, reducing emergency service strain, and saving lives, SB1257 demonstrates that smart, compassionate policy is also fiscally responsible.

Tucson deserves leaders who prioritize empathy over rhetoric and collaboration over division. Our future depends on upholding the progressive values that define us: equity, compassion, and community empowerment. I invite you to stand with me in supporting SB1257 and other initiatives that build a safer, healthier Tucson with economic opportunity for our citizens.

Together, we can protect the city we love — and ensure a brighter future for all who call Tucson home.