Pubdate: Sat, 09 Aug 2003 Source: Post and Courier, The (Charleston, SC) Copyright: 2003 Evening Post Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.charleston.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/567 Author: Wyndi Anderson Note: S.C. Advocates for Pregnant Women Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?175 (Pregnancy) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/women.htm (Women) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration) DRUG OFFENDERS The prison population in this country outnumbers any other industrialized country. The increase in the number of prisoners in South Carolina is due largely to locking up non-violent drug offenders. Many of those people locked up could be getting much-needed drug and alcohol addiction treatment and rehabilitation, working toward leading healthier lives. Recent polling found that South Carolinians across party lines support treatment over punishment. In a state where we have chosen to target pregnant drug-using women and lock them up, it makes sense that our prisons are overflowing with people who need health care. The whole notion of alternative sentencing is something we need to consider, but please, let's not forget -- non-punitive, accessible drug treatment in this state will go far to prevent filling the prisons in the first place. Wyndi Anderson S.C. Advocates for Pregnant Women - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin