Pubdate: Sat, 12 Jan 2002
Source: Traverse City Record-Eagle (MI)
Copyright: 2002 The Traverse City Record-Eagle
Contact:  http://www.record-eagle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1336
Author: Shaun Hittle
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n018/a08.html?1317

PROGRESSIVE APPROACH

I commend you for bringing attention to a positive change in the "war on 
drugs" in the Jan. 4 editorial, "Grand Traverse County's Drug Court is 
worth a try." I couldn't agree more with the author who points out the 
benefits of a drug court as opposed to the traditional criminal justice 
approach. Drug treatment programs, especially in the long run, are far more 
efficient at reducing crime and recidivism of substance abuse than 
shuffling these non-violent offenders through our overcrowded prisons and 
jails.

Also, by allowing these individuals to remain in the community, they have 
the ability to continue to provide for their families, who are often the 
ones that suffer the most when a parent goes to jail. I hope other 
communities in Michigan will take notice of the progressive approach Grand 
Traverse is taking at dealing with our drug problem.

Shaun Hittle,

Kalamazoo
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