U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Sheldon Whitehouse introduced the STRONGER Act on September 25, 2026, to update and reauthorize the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners program.

Overview Debates Related claims Topics Sources

Maria Duenas reported that Steven Duenas developed a prescription drug addiction and heavy alcohol use following a long-distance marriage that ended in divorce and the loss of his job

Harm reduction programs prolong addiction in California's homeless encampments

The American Kratom Association estimates that 24 million U.S. consumers use natural kratom products to boost energy, manage chronic pain, combat anxiety and depression, and address opioid addiction.

Massachusetts issued a temporary statewide ban on all kratom products in late August 2026, while addiction clinicians expressed concern that blanket bans risk causing severe withdrawal in dependent users.

The Food and Drug Administration stated that 7-hydroxymitragynine has no safe or effective use and warned it could become an option for individuals with opioid addictions.

The Drug Enforcement Administration warned that synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine products are often labeled as botanical extracts, which can mislead consumers regarding the drug's potency.

The Drug Enforcement Administration warned in the Federal Register that synthetic kratom products often contain additional potent opioid alkaloids, such as mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, alongside 7-hydroxymitragynine.

Florida's lawsuit under the state's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act accuses Meta Platforms of knowingly engineering its platforms to be addictive for young users and misleading consumers about safety.

Courts should mandate the removal of addictive social media features for teens

Florida's court filing cites internal Meta Platforms chat logs where employees compared Instagram to a narcotic, with one worker writing "IG is a drug" and another describing the company as "basically pushers."

The Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners program grants also fund community-based aftercare and post-release treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and transitional housing.

The STRONGER Act, introduced by Senators John Cornyn and Sheldon Whitehouse, would expand training requirements under the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners program to encourage best practices for reentry and continuity of care

At the Regina Drug Treatment Court's launch in October 2006, Regina was one of six Canadian cities with a drug treatment court, which has since expanded to the Battlefords and Moose Jaw

The STRONGER Act, introduced by Senators John Cornyn and Sheldon Whitehouse, would update the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners program by allowing greater access to Medication-Assisted Treatment and requiring affiliations with doctors who can administer it

The STRONGER Act, introduced by Senators John Cornyn and Sheldon Whitehouse, is endorsed by multiple organizations, including the National Criminal Justice Association, the National Association of Social Workers, and the Major County Sheriffs of America

Retired provincial court judge Clifford Toth, the inaugural judge of the Regina Drug Treatment Court, stated the program successfully proved skeptics wrong over its 20-year history.

Retired provincial court judge Clifford Toth stated that the Regina Drug Treatment Court started with a grant and hopes to help those in most need.

Darrian LaPlante, a 2023 graduate of the Regina Drug Treatment Court, stated the program taught her accountability and helped her work toward becoming a nurse.

The Regina Drug Treatment Court is a voluntary program where participants plead guilty, delay sentencing, and undergo 12 to 18 months of intensive day treatment and drug testing.

The Regina Drug Treatment Court in Saskatchewan celebrated its 20th anniversary on September 25, 2026, having begun operations in October 2006.