Pubdate: Wed, 11 Jan 2006
Source: Salt Lake Tribune (UT)
Copyright: 2006 The Salt Lake Tribune
Contact:  http://www.sltrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/383
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

METHAMPHETAMINE: INSIDIOUS DRUG REQUIRES A DIFFERENT APPROACH

The First Step

When facing up to substance abuse, the first step is not only to 
admit that you have a problem, but that your old ways of dealing with 
it won't work any better tomorrow than they did yesterday.

Gov. Jon Huntsman's announced approach to the problem of 
methamphetamine abuse in Utah admits that the state has a problem 
with this harshly addictive chemical. More importantly, it admits 
that the traditional approach to drug abuse - jail - doesn't work.

The abuse of meth, a super-stimulant that wrecks bodies, families and 
futures, is a big problem for law enforcement. But it is not a law 
enforcement problem. It is a public health problem.

That is true, more or less, for all illegal and misused drugs. But 
meth takes that truth to a much higher and more important level.

Meth is the drug of choice for more and more abusers, most notably 
and most horribly women of child-bearing age. It is a cheap and 
towering high, pushing people to stay awake for days and function 
with a euphoric feeling of endless energy - until they crash.

Without treatment - not wastefully expensive punishment but real, 
effective treatment - the only answer to the crash is to get high 
again. And again. And again. Until the final crash ends in prison or the grave.

Meth's insidious appeal is much broader than just to the clearly 
irresponsible recreational abuser. It is also a too-often 
irresistible temptation to previously responsible professionals, 
workers, mothers and teens who feel the need to operate at full speed 
for days on end - working, playing, dating and taking care of 
children - until the crash causes the addict to lose all those things 
they were working so hard to acquire and maintain.

That's why meth is, as Huntsman says, not just a social or behavioral 
issue, but a health issue. That's why his newly announced task force 
includes not only people in law enforcement and corrections but also 
specialists in mental health, education, substance abuse treatment 
and child welfare.

As satisfying as it can be to bust meth dealers and confiscate their 
wares, the fact is that the law of Utah is powerless before the law 
of supply and demand. As long as there is demand, there will be supply.

And, without such approaches as drug courts, education and serious 
treatment made available throughout the state to all who need it, 
there will be far too much demand.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman