Pubdate: Fri, 01 Feb 2002
Source: Miami Herald (FL)
Copyright: 2002 The Miami Herald
Contact:  http://www.herald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/262
Authors: Andrea Santos, Jeffrey Weiner
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

RECONSIDER CUTS

I read with dismay on Jan. 27 about the funding cuts for 
drug-rehabilitation centers and other services for the treatment of 
substance abuse. These centers and services have proved life saving to 
thousands of substance abusers, as the statistics in the article bear out.

Without continued funding, we'll see a surge in deaths and costs to 
incarcerate abusers with little or no hope for recovery in prison.

With news that Gov. Jeb Bush's daughter was arrested for allegedly making a 
false claim for a prescription, perhaps our governor and the Legislature 
will rethink their slashing from the budget programs that save and restore 
lives and families.

ANDREA SANTOS

Homestead

As a practicing criminal-defense lawyer for more than 26 years, I can 
verify that the overwhelming number of cases in state and federal courts 
are drug related.

Yet, incredibly, Gov. Bush and the Legislature are drastically reducing 
funding for drug treatment. It is inconceivable that these elected 
officials don't recognize the obvious -- almost all persons serving time 
eventually will be released.

If their substance-abuse problems aren't dealt with while in custody (and 
if they don't get vocational and job-skills training) the odds of 
recidivism are great.

For those persons arrested and not sentenced to incarceration, drug 
treatment is essential to getting their lives back on track and preventing 
further drug-related problems and crimes.

The cost in dollars, additional crimes and wasted lives is far in excess of 
the money necessary for quality treatment.

How can the governor and legislators justify cutting critically necessary 
funds for treatment while at the same time acknowledging the severity of 
the problem and knowing that they can afford treatment for their own children?

JEFFREY S. WEINER

Miami
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth