Pubdate: Tue, 16 Jan 2001
Source: Tribune Review (PA)
Copyright: 2001 Tribune-Review Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://triblive.com/
Author: James B. Lisankis

REHAB NEEDED

The fact that Sen. John Ashcroft is opposed to the use of federal money to
provide drug treatment/drug rehabilitation is a valid reason why he should
be rejected as attorney general of the United States.

Putting aside the fact that the "war on drugs" as it is being fought by our
government is a lost cause and a tremendous waste of taxpayer dollars, the
practice of filling our prisons with inmates convicted of drug use or
possession only is doing nothing to correct the behavior patterns which led
them to this point in their lives in the first place.

Without rehabilitation, the rate of recidivism for habitual users of illicit
substances will continue to rise, and we will continue to find an ever
larger segment of our population behind bars.

There will always be those who are incorrigible in their criminal behavior,
but to assume all who find themselves on the wrong side of the law as unable
to be rehabilitated is pure folly.

James B. Lisankis, Ligonier
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