Pubdate: Mon, 09 Apr 2001 Source: Idaho State Journal (ID) Copyright: 2001 Idaho State Journal Contact: http://www.journalnet.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/936 IT'S TIME TO PROVIDE HELP FOR DRUG OFFENDERS Gov. Dirk Kempthorne says he's dedicated to providing more substance abuse treatment beds for the men and women behind bars in Idaho. He's taken the first step by signing an appropriations bill that will increase prison treatment resources. We applaud him for having the foresight to recognize one critical problem that most exacerbates another: an overcrowded prison system. The attitude of "lock 'em up and throw away the keys" seems to be losing steam, as well it should. Providing inmates with only basic bed-and-board necessities just isn't enough anymore, at least not in the long term. Wonder just how much substance abuse contributes to putting people behind bars? The numbers say it all, says State Rep. Donna Boe, D-Pocatello: about 80 percent of the men and women in Idaho prisons are there because of committing some crime related to their drug and alcohol abuse. Boe, who sits on the House Judiciary Committee which oversees the prisons and courts, has some other sobering statistics. She says 75 percent of women behind bars have dependent children and 73 percent are victims of sexual or physical abuse. That's why she says it is critical that women who need substance abuse treatment get it while they are in prison, so they have the ability to care for their children and begin new lives without drugs. Otherwise, she says, the revolving-door cycle of going in and out of prison continues. "If we can get these mothers with young children free of their addiction, that's one step to them becoming a parent who can raise a child who doesn't also end up in the criminal justice system," Boe says. With more state dollars, the local state women's prison should have 400 treatment beds by early summer after a major expansion is completed. Currently, the prison has only 60 treatment beds. Boe says judges, substance abuse counselors and concerned lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle came together to convince the governor of the need for more treatment programs in prisons and for intervention programs like drug courts. The governor paid attention and plans to be in Pocatello today to sign the bill that appropriates the needed funds for the local prison. We're glad he listened. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D