Pubdate: Tue, 05 Feb 2002 Source: Daily Reflector (NC) Copyright: 2002 Daily Reflector Contact: http://www.reflector.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1456 Author: David Ames MD TREATMENT SERVICES HELP WAR ON DRUGS The City Council has listened to citizen groups and their view of the crime problem. Three initiatives have been established - community revitalization, a strategic community policing policy and curbing the city's drug problem. Chief Simonowich has said that "70 percent of the crime in Greenville is drug related." National experience with the War on Drugs has demonstrated that an approach which relies primarily on police action, interdiction and jailing does not solve the problem. To make a difference, the provision of accessible and readily available treatment services is essential and effective, especially when combined with a strong prevention program. I hope that the City Council will look for ways to bring such clinical services into the communities most affected by the drug problem. DAVID AMES, MD Greenville - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom