INCOMPLETE TREATMENT LEADS TO DRUG RELAPSES

This letter is in reference to a recent article titled "Study calls
for treatment, not prison, for drug users."

The research regarding alternatives to prison for drug crime
violations consistently indicates that successful outcomes can be
achieved with combinations of sanctions, treatment and supportive
resocialization. In application of these elements, however, the
programs often fail to effectively extend the structure of treatment
and support for a long enough period for the individual to achieve
significant attitudinal and behavioral changes.

In going for the short-term approach (treatment) as a alternative to
the long-term approach (prison), the public often has expectations
that the treatment programs cannot meet.

Drug-use relapse and criminal recidivism are often the outcome of
incomplete treatment plans that end with intensive outpatient
treatment and do not have resources for supportive resocialization of
the individuals through continuing chemical dependency treatment
linked with vocational development and transitional housing support.

Treatment provided in prisons with very little community follow-up is
seldom effective in preventing recidivism.

Community-based treatment with committed resources for long-term
resocialization can significantly reduce relapse and recidivism.

Existing community treatment resources are not structured for this
level of service and should not be considered the alternative for
sentencing.

Carl Flowers

Olympia