REHAP CHEAPER THAN LOCK-UP

There is a high probability that about $38.8 million in substance
abuse treatment may be cut from the troubled Florida budget. I
implore our Legislature to take a strong stand against any cuts in
substance abuse treatment funds. They are already woefully
under-funded. Statistics and studies have shown in a multitude of
studies that treating the disease is far more cost effective than to
send someone to prison for non-violent alcohol- and drug-related crimes.

Studies show that about 60 percent of domestic violence, robberies,
burglaries, aggravated assaults and other incidents in Florida were
alcohol or other drug related, and 60 percent of all persons arrested
in Florida were either under the influence of or committed their
crime to gain access to alcohol or drugs.

But what really stands out is the fact that it costs $9,000 to treat
a probationer in community substance abuse treatment versus $57,890
for the same offender in prison.

In these very tough times for Florida I respectfully request that the
public demand that our Legislature and all of the others involved in
making these decisions use what funds we do have wisely and get the
biggest bang for our bucks!

ROSEMARY BOISVERT

Cape Coral