Pubdate: Wed, 01 May 2002
Source: Press & Sun Bulletin (NY)
Copyright: 2002 Press & Sun Bulletin
Contact:  http://www.pressconnects.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/878
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n777/a02.html

COURT SHOULD ADDRESS CAUSES OF DRUG ADDICTION

The Tioga County Drug Court currently under consideration is definitely a 
step in the right direction, but an arrest should not be a necessary 
prerequisite for drug treatment. Fear of criminal sanctions compels many 
problem drug-users to suffer in silence. Would alcoholics seek help for 
their illness if doing so were tantamount to confessing to criminal 
activity? Toning down the tough-on-drugs rhetoric would encourage the type 
of honest discussion necessary to facilitate effective drug treatment. 
Mandatory drug tests do nothing to address the underlying causes of 
addiction. When contemplating drug courts, Tioga legislators need to 
remember that relapse is part of recovery. Coerced treatment strategies 
that rely on jail cells as health interventions may do more harm than good.

Imagine if every alcoholic were thrown in jail and given a permanent 
criminal record. How many lives would be destroyed? How many families torn 
apart? How many tax dollars would be wasted turning potentially productive 
members of society into unemployable ex-cons?

ROBERT SHARPE
PROGRAM OFFICER
DRUG POLICY ALLIANCE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
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