DOMINGUEZ TEAMS UP WITH GOV. PERRY ON VET DRUG BILL

The former Republican governor is throwing his weight behind a bill by state Rep. Alex Dominguez, D-Brownsville, that would order a clinical study of using psilocybin – found in "magic mushrooms" – to help veterans with mental health problems. Both attended a press conference this morning. Dominguez said this shoould not be seen as a decriminalization of drugs, but rather a mental health issue for veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which he categorized as a mental health crisis in the state. Texas Tribune

By Patrick Svitek 
Texas Tribune

Rick Perry, in a rare return to policy debates in Austin, is teaming up with a Democratic state lawmaker to push for psychedelic drug therapy for veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The former Republican governor is throwing his support behind a bill by state Rep. Alex Dominguez D-Brownsville, that calls for a clinical study of psilocybin – the active ingredient in "magic mushrooms" – to treat PTSD in veterans.

"To me, this may be one of the most hopeful pieces of legislation that the members of the Legislature have the opportunity to consider this session," Perry said in an interview Tuesday.

Some studies have suggested that psilocybin could be safe and effective in treating mental health disorders like depression, while calling for larger studies with more thorough methods.

Perry said he has "historically been a very anti-drug person" and still firmly opposes legalization for recreational uses. However, he said he has seen through his longtime advocacy for veterans how psychedelic drugs can provide relief to former service members who have exhausted other options – and are traveling to other countries, like Mexico, to receive treatment.

"All of that properly done in the right type of clinical setting will save a multitude of lives," Perry said. "I'm convinced of it. I have seen it enough of these young men."

Perry joined Dominguez for a news conference on his proposal Wednesday morning at the state Capitol. The news conference was also attended by veterans that Perry has gotten close to over the years, including retired Navy SEAL Morgan Luttrell and Dakota Meyer, a Marine veteran and Medal of Honor recipient.

Dominguez's House Bill 1802 would direct the Health and Human Services Commission to conduct the clinical study of psilocybin in partnership with a health sciences university and a Veterans Affairs hospital. The proposal would also ask HHSC to do a literature review – a survey of prior studies – of using not just psilocybin but also MDMA and ketamine to treat PTSD in veterans.

Catch up on news from the legislative session with our weekly newsletter. HHSC would have to submit quarterly progress reports on its study, and it would have a deadline of Dec. 1, 2024, to deliver final findings to the the so-called "Big Three" – the governor, lieutenant governor and House speaker – as well as members in both chambers.

The bill was referred to the House Public Health Committee last month but has not received a hearing yet.

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