Pubdate: Thu, 21 Jun 2001
Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2001 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.uniontrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386
Author: Gretchen Burns Bergman
Note: Bergman is director of A New PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment 
and Healing). She can be reached via e-mail at TREATMENT, THE HUMANE ALTERNATIVE

Despite recent signals from the federal government that it is renewing 
efforts to block the supply of drugs to the United States, it is clear to 
most citizens that the war on drugs has failed and that it is time to 
concentrate our efforts upon demand. Drug addiction is a public health 
problem of epidemic proportions, and treatment appears to be the only 
viable solution.

Last November, the people of California proved that they were ahead of the 
politicians by passing Proposition 36, mandating treatment instead of 
incarceration for nonviolent drug offenders. With this change of focus to 
demand reduction, comes the opportunity to not only save wasted dollars, 
but to save lives and heal families.

Because the rest of the nation is watching us in California and our efforts 
will make an even greater impact as this change sweeps across the states, 
it is imperative that the new law is implemented effectively on July 1. 
Success should be the only option. Unfortunately, there are obstacles that 
could alter the outcomes.

It seems ironic that many of the same people who decried the proposition as 
"dangerous and misleading" are now taking charge of its implementation. 
Sitting on committees are various people from the criminal justice system 
as well as members of the health care community. Working out all the 
details while respecting each other's concerns and priorities is difficult 
but crucial.

The justice system still wants to utilize a criminal justice model when 
handling drug offenders. However, most medical and health care 
professionals see addiction as a disease -- an illness like diabetes or 
high blood pressure -- and, like those medical conditions, requiring 
control with proper treatment by health care providers. From a parental 
perspective, I believe that the best way to protect public safety, which is 
the major concern of the District Attorney's Office, is to treat offenders 
so that they can lead productive lives, which leads to reduced crime and 
safer neighborhoods.

Although the $120 million that will be allocated annually for treatment 
sounds like a lot, when it is divided among all the counties in the state, 
and when you realize how many addicted offenders need intensive and 
extensive care, there just isn't enough money to go around.

In 1999 there were more than 11,000 felony and misdemeanor drug possession 
arrests in San Diego County, and the numbers are going up. To add to that 
problem, several agencies are voicing a need to beef up staffing and systems.

The lack of money and treatment spots available will alter our ability to 
match appropriate recovery plans to the addicted individuals. Four levels 
of treatment have been set up in San Diego County from education plans to 
structured residential programs. Early assessment would indicate that many 
of the individuals who will qualify for treatment are heroin and 
methamphetamine users with long histories of use. Although they need 
intensive care, they may only get minimum programs, which would set them up 
for further failures.

The preferred plan would be for long-term structured rehabilitation with 
gradually increasing independence as they move forward in recovery. And, in 
the event of relapse, a loss of privileges and a return to more structure 
is an appropriate consequence. It is our hope that the court understands 
relapse and doesn't abandon the addict with a third slip and order punitive 
incarceration.

A major obstacle could be many citizens' reluctance to accept recovery 
centers in their own back yard. Fear and prejudice close people's minds to 
change for the greater good. Recovering individuals actually make good 
neighbors. They have service work to do and society to repay, and are often 
grateful for the opportunity. Community-based recovery centers are a far 
better alternative than having illicit drug activity occurring in your 
neighborhood. Therapeutic communities should be embraced and supported all 
over the county in order to address the magnitude of the need.

PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment and Healing) continues to deliver the 
message that drug addicts are human beings who probably started their lives 
with a lot of promise before the disease took them off course. Working 
together we can be sure that they are given the opportunity to overcome 
their illness, realize their potential and become contributing members of 
society.

We are on the brink of exciting change. Success depends on collaborative 
efforts and commitment to positive solutions.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart