FORCED TREATMENT WORTH A TRY

Forcing people into treatment for substance abuse raises troubling
questions about how far the state should be allowed to intrude into civil
liberties. But, for convicted crystal meth traffickers and users,
protecting one's rights to self-determination isn't worth much if you're dead.

Instead, enforced treatment represents a practical approach to the
devastation wrought by this dangerous drug.

When a Commons justice committee convenes to study a conditional sentencing
bill this month, critics plan to raise the notion of forced rehabilitation.

Reforming the unwilling is a mug's game. Yet, South Korea is experimenting
with forced treatment.

Canadians have long been frustrated at the meaningless of conditional
sentences which order people to serve their time in the comfort of their
own homes.

Prison terms for meth addicts don't necessarily translate into
rehabilitation, if inmates can't or won't take advantage of programs behind
bars.

A conditional sentence that orders rehabilitation would be a welcome
change, and a proactive way of reducing recidivism among crystal meth users.