Pubdate: Mon, 30 Oct 2006 Source: Columbian, The (WA) Copyright: 2006 The Columbian Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.columbian.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92 Author: Graig S. Andersen EXPAND TREATMENT I enjoyed reading the Oct. 26 story, "County told meth war could use ammo," on the methamphetamine problem facing this nation. Having prosecuted drug crimes for two years, I was constantly impressed with the fact that most of the people I incarcerated were good, intelligent and pleasant people. In contrast to these people's incredible potential was their hopeless dependence on methamphetamine as their only source of joy or self-assurance. On many occasions, it pained me that I was forced to send young men and women to prison because that was the only option available to me. I have long thought that a better approach would be to build secure college campuses throughout the state where drug and alcohol addicted offenders could live, study and recover. There is no question that drug users are what drives the narcotics trade in this country. As a pragmatic conservative, my question is this: Is it cheaper in the long run to offer hope to people or to warehouse them? Once they have been warehoused with rapists, robbers and murderers, what kind of a person will the addict be? He could be treated and be a taxpayer and an outstanding citizen or he could be a rapist, robber or murderer. Craig S. Andersen - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine