Pubdate: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 Source: Springfield News-Leader (MO) Copyright: 2004 The Springfield News-Leader Contact: http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1129 Author: Gary B. Kempker Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n498/a03.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration) IN PRISON, ABUSERS BURDEN TAXPAYERS I am writing to applaud your March 24 article "Prison not the answer to addiction" and to express my strong support for the drug court model of community intervention for substance abusers who enter the criminal justice system. Every year more than 13,000 individuals come to the Missouri Department of Corrections and between 70 and 80 percent of them have significant substance abuse problems. It has long been known in the field of corrections that substance abuse is the critical factor driving the largest prison population growth in the nation's history. Judge Calvin Holden and other innovating judges have recognized firsthand the toll that substance abuse has taken across Missouri communities. They are to be commended for taking bold steps to deal with the problem of substance abuse at the point where therapeutic interventions can be most effective, i.e., close to home, where the offender can receive treatment and continue to work and support their families and loved ones. Most of all, the drug courts in Missouri have a successful record of keeping offenders off the prison rolls, where they are a burden to the taxpayer, and on the work rolls, where they are taxpayers. Gary B. Kempker, director, Missouri Department of Corrections - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager