Pubdate: Mon, 07 Apr 2014
Source: Journal Times, The (Racine, WI)
Copyright: 2014 Earl O. Christianson
Contact:  http://www.journaltimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1659
Author: Earl O. Christianson

EVALUATE ALL LOCAL 'WAR ON DRUGS' PROGRAMS

In 1971, President Nixon, declaring "War on Drugs," requested congress
to pass and fund legislation titled "Drug Abuse Prevention and
Control" for the "... prevention of new addicts and the rehabilitation
of those addicted."

Legislators, to "prevent new addicts," focused on stemming the flow of
drugs."

But now, 43 years and billions of dollars later, recent Journal Times
articles demonstrate drugs continue to flow.

A man (24) and two women (26 and 29) went to prison for committing
crimes to support their addiction to heroin. Deputies confiscated 19
pounds of marijuana and over $30,000 worth of heroin during two
traffic stops.

Therefore, I strongly recommend Mayor Dickert, through the City
Council, establish a Commission to identify and evaluate all local
"War on Drugs" programs. Commission members should be neutral and
detached citizens, keeping in mind this American Society of Addiction
Medicine's definition of addiction (April 19, 2011):

"Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation,
memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to
characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual
manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically
pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.
Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain,
impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of
significant problems with one's behaviors and interpersonal
relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other
chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and
remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities,
addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature
death."

Earl O. Christianson

Racine 
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