DON'T LOCK UP DRUG ADDICTS

I recently was involved in a heated discussion during my psychology class:
Why is the rate of imprisonment increasing?

One of the reasons is the crackdown on drug abuse. But what should we do
with violators? Some have never committed a violent crime, yet these people
are being housed with murderers and rapists.

To reduce our rate of imprisonment, we should educate them rather than lock
them up. These people need help. We need to focus on putting nonviolent
drug users into rehabs rather than jail. Some classmates argued that they
have to want to help themselves in order to get help. I agree with that
statement, but how do these people have a chance to help themselves if they
are locked up?

It is possible that drug addicts will change their ways if given the
opportunity - even if they are forced to take the opportunity. Halfway
homes and rehab centers succeed in changing their views on life. They
educate addicts about addiction, teach them how to make an honest living
and help them establish values. Yes, doing hard time does scare some out of
doing drugs but most of them are soon back in jail for the same offense.

I'd rather see my tax dollars go to a place that will try to help people
rather then see them go to jail repeatedly and get very little professional
help. Some people deserve a chance. After all, this is an illness and
should be treated as such - unless other crimes are involved.

If we cannot bring these imprisoned people into rehabs, we at least need to
bring the resources to them and show them that there are options to life.
In the long run, fewer people returning to jail will mean fewer tax dollars
spent.

Virginia Ingram Penndel