Pubdate: Mon, 22 Aug 2005
Source: Sacramento Bee (CA)
Copyright: 2005 The Sacramento Bee
Contact:  http://www.sacbee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/376
Note: Does not publish letters from outside its circulation area.
Author: Philip Vardara
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1255/a05.html?106983

PROHIBITION VS. TREATMENT

The Aug. 7 article "Drug Abuse Law at Issue" was a sad, but unfortunately 
not surprising revelation of the U.S. law enforcement community's 
unwavering and unproductive stance on the use of illicit drugs.

Haven't 80 years of criminalizing this behavior without the desired 
consequence (ending drug use) taught us anything? More laws, stricter laws 
and more prisons (and spending more money on same) are never going to solve 
this because drug abuse (including alcohol) is a health care issue.

Addiction is a disease of the mind and body. Comprehensive care 
(counseling, medical support, housing, job training, financial assistance) 
is what works. It may not work with every addict, but a well-coordinated 
system with all the parts working together could deliver success. Until 
this happens, we will only experience more of the same.

- - Philip Vardara

Grass Valley 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth