Pubdate: Fri, 23 Apr 2004 Source: Baltimore Sun (MD) Copyright: 2004 The Baltimore Sun, a Times Mirror Newspaper. Contact: http://www.sunspot.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37 Author: Robert Sharpe Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n574/a04.html JAILING DRUG USERS DESTROYS FAMILIES Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr.'s column on Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s legislation offering alternatives to incarceration was right on target ("Treatment benefits everyone," Opinion Commentary, April 14). A study conducted by the RAND Corp. found that every dollar invested in substance abuse treatment saves taxpayers $7.48 in social costs. And there is far more at stake than tax dollars. Children of inmates are at risk of educational failure, joblessness, addiction and delinquency. Not only do the children lose out, but society as a whole does too. Incarcerating nonviolent drug offenders alongside hardened criminals is the equivalent of providing them with a taxpayer-funded education in criminal behavior. Turning drug users into unemployable ex-cons is a senseless waste of tax dollars. It's time to declare peace in the failed drug war and begin treating all substance abuse, legal or otherwise, as the public health problem it is. Destroying the futures and families of citizens who make unhealthy choices doesn't benefit anyone. Robert Sharpe Washington - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake