LOCKED UP AND STRUNG OUT

It's broken, so let's fix it: Thanks to Kathy Glasgow for a
well-researched and well-written article about the lack of
substance-abuse recovery programs in our jails ("My Name Is Victor,
and I'm a Jail Bird," April 5). Most of us law-abiding citizens
choose to distance ourselves from the world of crime and punishment.
We know little about what happens after someone has been led away in
handcuffs.

Over the years I have known a number of substance abusers --
alcoholics and addicts, some active, some recovering. Almost all were
incarcerated during their active addiction, be it for committing
crimes against others or for victimizing themselves by using illegal
drugs. The vast majority, if not all successful recovering drug
addicts and alcoholics I know, are active members of Alcoholics
Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

These twelve-step programs are recognized as being the most
successful at taming the monster of addiction and helping its victims
become productive, upstanding citizens able to live rewarding lives.
And attending these meetings does not cost a nickel; they are
absolutely free.

Although I am sure some staff members at the Miami-Dade Department of
Corrections and Rehabilitation are concerned and caring individuals,
the agency itself doesn't seem much concerned with the rehabilitation
part of its title. Not only should AA and NA volunteers be welcome
and encouraged to share their experiences and their time with their
fellow human beings behind bars, all inmates whose transgressions are
directly or indirectly linked to addiction should be mandated to
attend these meetings.

The present recidivism rate alone tells us that what we are doing
simply is not working. We need to change it, we need reforms, we need
to treat the cause rather than the symptoms. It is time for all of us
who are shedding the tears, suffering emotional distress, and
carrying the enormous financial burden created by addiction and crime
to step forward. It is time to contact our legislators, to call,
write, petition, and demand positive reforms of our penal system. The
focus must be on rehabilitation rather than on incarceration. It can
be done and only we can do it.

Monique Taylor
Miami