Mary Bradfield

What counties do you represent? If this is a statewide office, please put statewide.

El Paso County

Have you or someone you loved ever experienced a mental health and/or substance use condition?

Prefer not to say

Question #1: Colorado, like the rest of the nation, is facing a youth mental health crisis. Do you support school policies and funding that increase the availability of mental health services and supports in schools and early childhood settings?

Would you like to explain your response to question #1?

I would support funding only if parents are involved from the beginning. I am very opposed to anytime a school staff member does any mental health therapy without the consent of the parents.

Question #2: Do you believe mental health and substance use are serious issues your constituents are experiencing that deserve legislative attention and action? Please explain.

There has been much legislative attention and legislature enacted that needs to see if what was voted on by the House and Senate are making difference.

Question #3: Extreme risk protection orders, also known as red flag laws, allow law enforcement to temporarily remove weapons from individuals at significant risk to themselves or others. Colorado has a red flag law. Do you support extreme risk protection orders?

Would you like to explain your response to question #3?

This is a Second Amendment infringement.

Question #4: Overdose deaths are at an all-time high nationally and in Colorado. Many believe increasing criminal penalties for people who use drugs is the answer. Do you support increased criminal penalties for people who use drugs? *
(Please note that we are asking about personal use, not distribution)*

Yes

Would you like to explain your response to question #4?

These people need help. When there are no consequences for illegal actions, then we have the situation that we have now. Penalty with treatment and re-education.

Question # 5: As a follow up question, did you support legislation in the 2022 session that drastically increased the criminal penalty for possession of any substance over 1g if that substance contains any amount of fentanyl?

Would you like to explain your response to question #5?

I voted No on the fentanyl bill because the the threshold for possession was too high .

Question #6: Do you believe the State should invest more funding for mental health and substance use? If yes, please explain where you would want additional funding to be directed. If no, please explain why.

The state of Colorado received millions of dollars for mental, behavioral, and substance abuse treatment. A great deal of time was spent mapping out what a new plan would be like based on the money from the federal government. Before any extra money is given to these areas, let us see how successful the current legislation is.

Question #7: People needing care, supports, and services for their mental health and substance use often experience discrimination as a result of their health condition. Would you support legislation that would protect people needing care, supports, and services for their mental health and substance use conditions from discriminatory practices?

Would you like to explain your response to question #7?

Legislation will not change this discriminatory experience, but education will.

Question #8: For too long the state’s criminal justice system has acted as a substitute for a comprehensive mental health care system. Would you support policies that would disentangle mental health from the criminal justice system and promote the expansion of programs like Denver’s STAR program?

Yes

Would you like to explain your response to question #8?

Please refer to the behavioral health work of 2021-22

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Mental health and behavioral health needs to received greater attention and dedication. We know that one of the biggest problems we have is getting enough qualified providers and other staff. I really hope that the new policies for this field will produce more quality care that is accessible to all.