Abraham Klein speaks at Brooklyn DA 'CLEAR’ program
Channel: VINnews
Date: 2018-03-09

An Orthodox Jewish Brooklyn man who became an outspoken advocate for troubled children after sharing the story of his daughter’s lost battle with substance abuse had high words of praise for a new program launched by Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez in conjunction with the NYPD and the City Council to give those charged with misdemeanor drug offenses the option of treatment and counseling in lieu of a prison sentence.

Abe Klein, whose 20 year old daughter Malky died of a heroin overdose in the summer of 2017, was one of several people who spoke on Tuesday at a press conference announcing Project CLEAR (Collaborative Legal Engagement Assistance Response), which would have participants undergoing an assessment so that they could be referred for appropriate services.  

The District Attorney’s Office would decline to prosecute any individuals who comply with the recommendations made for them, and in addition to waiving the requirement to appear in court on the misdemeanor charge, all associated arrest records would be sealed.

Klein described Project CLEAR as “a program that is long overdue and definitely a step in the right direction.”

Speaking from his own experiences with his daughter with whom he shared an exceptionally close and loving relationship, Klein said that nearly all of those who abuse drugs have experienced some sort of trauma in their lives.  

“Over the past 20 years, we have lost way too many of our dear sweet children to drug abuse and addiction because we have not fully brought to our consciousness that people using drugs need more love understanding compassion, care and not less,” said Klein.

Sending those who have a drug problem to prison is pointless, according to Klein, who explained that addicts turn to drugs as a way of escaping the painful realities of their lives.

“Sick people don’t need to be punished and to learn a lesson in a cold prison, but rather they need to be nurtured back to health in a warm, loving and caring environment,” said Klein, who praised Project CLEAR for its life saving potential.