Pubdate: Thu, 19 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
Author:  Mike Buchanan, Salt Lake City
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

TREATMENT AND PUNISHMENT

I heartily agree with Robert Sharpe's Jan. 20 letter calling for 
treatment and not prison for drug addicts.

The contradiction with this philosophy is that only a percentage of 
addicts are sent to prison. They do get there eventually when they 1) 
break your car window and hijack your stereo for money to buy 
methamphetamine, 2) rob a retail store to sustain their habit, 3) 
invade your home for the same reason, 4) steal identities to make 
money for drugs, or 5) commit assaults and violent acts when 
obtaining or distributing drugs.

The drug addict does not exist in a vacuum. A mixture of treatment 
and punishment seems to be in order.

Mike Buchanan

Salt Lake City
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