METH EPIDEMIC - A HELPFUL MESSAGE

When the meth epidemic hit Western states in the 1990s, there was a
lot of confusion, ignorance and even misinformation. One of the
biggest, most discouraging myths was that meth addicts were
untreatable.

National drug czar John Walters brought an important, more hopeful
message to Seattle last week. He said that while many people continue
to believe meth addiction is untreatable, research has shown otherwise.

We can't help but like the congressionally funded "life after meth"
program that Walters was touting here, one of eight states targeted
because of high rates of abuse of the drug. The photos of real people
who have fought and overcome meth addiction are both an inspiration
and a reminder of the dangers the drug can pose to anyone.

Effective police and prosecutorial work remain critical to dealing
with meth addiction. Addicts don't often seek and stay with treatment
just because they noticed the drastic social, health and personal
problems created by the drug. As one former addict told the P-I,
arrest and treatment was the best money the public could have spent
for him.

In this state, drug courts have been very helpful in encouraging
treatment. A 2001 paper for the King County Prosecutor's Office noted
there's typically at least a 12-month program before defendants
"graduate" from drug court and have charges dismissed. The office
found researchers repeatedly have concluded "drug court participants
commit new crimes at a significantly lower rate." Participation even
without graduation seems to help.

Meth remains a huge challenge for society and individuals. But
treatment is a real option.