In an "As I See It" by Justice Patrick A. Fox (Telegram & Gazette, May 2), he urged us, as a community, to address the problem within the criminal justice system of substance abuse. In my experience ,as a longtime counselor in court-mandated programs for driver alcohol education, I have seen again and again the benefits that treatment provides to all members of our community. Lives change, families are strengthened and people become contributing members of society.

I agree with Judge Fox that we already know what needs to be done in order to move beyond the chaos and high price of substance abuse. We need funding for treatment programs that help people recover from substance abuse.

[continues 66 words]