Pubdate: Thu, 31 Jul 2003
Source: Honolulu Advertiser (HI)
Copyright: 2003 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
Contact:  http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/195
Author: Celeste J. Cheeseman
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Note: To read about the "ice epidemic" in Hawaii, go to
http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Hawaii .

LET'S FIND THE SOLUTIONS TO DRUGS AND CRIME

We spend more money on talking about the problems with drugs and crime
rather than on finding solutions.

Yeah, plenty of money to talk about "just say no" and "put them in jail" and
"build more prisons" and "get treatment." Where's the money to provide the
help? Why funnel money into arresting, convicting and incarcerating when we
can funnel money into helping so this continuous cycle comes to an end?

Why do we talk about the what, when and where about drugs? Where's the how?
How do we help addicts (who are also members of the community) so when they
are released, they will have a positive life to look forward to? How do we
help them while they are incarcerated and continue treatment after they are
released? How are they going to get the financial support for treatment?

Everyone benefits from the solution to how. No one benefits from the talk.

Celeste J. Cheeseman

Wahiawa
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MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk