DON'T ABANDON PAROLE REFORM

The Sun's editorials on Maryland's Break the Cycle program may lead
readers to the unfortunate conclusion that the state's efforts are a
failure ("Crime and no punishment," Nov. 19 and "Lieutenant governor
hijacks probation," Nov. 20).

On the contrary, Break the Cycle is a first step to Maryland's
leading the nation out of the costly morass of drugs and crime.

Like every state, Maryland has a considerable drug abuse problem
among its criminal population.

Entrenched drug problems among criminals are not easily resolved.
They tend to deny dependence and need external pressures to change
their behavior. One of the best ways of hastening recovery is to use
the power of the criminal justice system.

Research has shown that referring offenders to treatment while
holding them accountable for drug use through consistent urine
monitoring, coupled with sanctions, is not only effective but saves
money and reduces crime.

It is on these research-based principles of coerced abstinence that
the Break the Cycle program was designed.

In almost 30 years of drug-policy research, I have rarely encountered
the vision and courage shown by Maryland's leaders in launching the
innovative Break the Cycle program.

It is comparatively easy to launch simple programs grounded in public
opinion. Maryland has taken the more difficult path of building a
program grounded in rigorous, scientific research.

Expanding limited research models to a statewide system is not
straightforward or easy. Rather than becoming disillusioned by
problems or assigning blame, we should assess what has worked and
what can be improved.

The stakes are too high for the nation and for Maryland to give up on
such a promising experiment.