Pubdate: Thu, 16 Oct 2003 Source: Jackson Sun News (TN) Copyright: 2003 The Jackson Sun Contact: http://www.jacksonsun.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1482 IT'S TIME FOR SERIOUS TALK ON A SANE DRUG POLICY Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh's admission last week to his nationwide audience that he was addicted to prescription painkillers took courage. We applaud Limbaugh's decision to seek treatment. But his moment of confession shouldn't be the end of the discussion. Limbaugh's mea culpa presents a perfect opportunity to have a meaningful discussion about this nation's drug policy. It's an opportunity we shouldn't pass up. Limbaugh's situation is hardly unique. Millions of Americans are currently addicted to illegal drugs. Current social and health costs for those addicted to drugs is $66.9 billion a year, according to the Narcanon of Southern California Web site. Researchers estimate that 70 percent of all crimes committed in the United States are drug-related. Despite these statistics, America's drug policy remains alarmingly draconian. Instead of treating the root of the problem - the addiction - our nation still prefers to lock up addicts and throw away the key. In many states, including Tennessee, access to treatment remains severely limited. Clearly, our current approach isn't working. It's time to have serious discussions about providing treatment for sick addicts. It's time to take a look at creating alternative sentencing options to keep these people out of prison. Perhaps now that Limbaugh has experienced the agonies of addiction himself, he will cease with his harsh rhetoric of "convict them and send them up the river." We hope so. Then he could use his bully pulpit to help others by leading the national discussion. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart