Pubdate: Mon, 29 Aug 2005
Source: City Paper, The (TN)
Copyright: 2005, The City Paper,LLC
Contact:  http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3080
Author: Robert Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1375/a09.html

ACCESS TO TREATMENT CRITICAL

Regarding your Aug. 23 editorial ("Grant a welcome weapon in war on meth 
problem," p. 2), how should Tennessee respond to the growing use of 
methamphetamine? During the crack epidemic of the '80s, New York City chose 
the zero tolerance approach, opting to arrest and prosecute as many 
offenders as possible. Meanwhile, Washington, D.C., Mayor Marion Barry was 
smoking crack and America's capital had the highest per capita murder rate 
in the country. Yet crack use declined in both cities simultaneously.

Simply put, the younger generation saw firsthand what crack was doing to 
their older brothers and sisters and decided for themselves that crack was 
bad news. This is not to say nothing can be done about methamphetamine. 
Access to drug treatment is critical for the current generation of meth 
users. Diverting resources away from prisons and into cost-effective 
treatment would save both tax dollars and lives.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy 
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman