(The Center Square) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams has proposed a controversial new law to get drug addicts off the city’s streets by expanding the state’s involuntary commitment laws. 

The Compassionate Interventions Act, if approved by the state Legislature, would give doctors and medical professionals authority to hold someone at a hospital if they believe the person is at risk because of substance use. If the individual refuses treatment, a court order could mandate it. Currently, the involuntary commitment law only deals with people suffering from mental illness and only allows them to be held for evaluation.