Pubdate: Sun, 22 May 2005
Source: Bristol Herald Courier (VA)
Copyright: 2005 Bristol Herald Courier
Contact:  http://www.bristolnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1211
Author: Robert Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

OFFER TREATMENT, NOT JAIL

How should Virginia 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 users 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 first hand 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 meth.

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

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Arlington, Va. 
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MAP posted-by: Beth