Pubdate: Mon, 05 May 2008
Source: East Valley Tribune (AZ)
Copyright: 2008 East Valley Tribune.
Contact:  http://www.eastvalleytribune.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2708
Author: Robert Sharpe

DRUG TREATMENT BEST CURE

How should Arizona respond to illicit methamphetamine use? During the 
crack epidemic of the 1980s, New York City chose the zero tolerance 
approach, opting to arrest and incarcerate 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 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

WASHINGTON, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom