TREATMENT, THE HUMANE ALTERNATIVE

Despite recent signals from the federal government that it is renewing
efforts to block the supply of drugs to the United States, it is clear to
most citizens that the war on drugs has failed and that it is time to
concentrate our efforts upon demand. Drug addiction is a public health
problem of epidemic proportions, and treatment appears to be the only
viable solution.

Last November, the people of California proved that they were ahead of the
politicians by passing Proposition 36, mandating treatment instead of
incarceration for nonviolent drug offenders. With this change of focus to
demand reduction, comes the opportunity to not only save wasted dollars,
but to save lives and heal families.

Because the rest of the nation is watching us in California and our efforts
will make an even greater impact as this change sweeps across the states,
it is imperative that the new law is implemented effectively on July 1.
Success should be the only option. Unfortunately, there are obstacles that
could alter the outcomes.

It seems ironic that many of the same people who decried the proposition as
"dangerous and misleading" are now taking charge of its implementation.
Sitting on committees are various people from the criminal justice system
as well as members of the health care community. Working out all the
details while respecting each other's concerns and priorities is difficult
but crucial.

The justice system still wants to utilize a criminal justice model when
handling drug offenders. However, most medical and health care
professionals see addiction as a disease -- an illness like diabetes or
high blood pressure -- and, like those medical conditions, requiring
control with proper treatment by health care providers. From a parental
perspective, I believe that the best way to protect public safety, which is
the major concern of the District Attorney's Office, is to treat offenders
so that they can lead productive lives, which leads to reduced crime and
safer neighborhoods.

Although the $120 million that will be allocated annually for treatment
sounds like a lot, when it is divided among all the counties in the state,
and when you realize how many addicted offenders need intensive and
extensive care, there just isn't enough money to go around.

In 1999 there were more than 11,000 felony and misdemeanor drug possession
arrests in San Diego County, and the numbers are going up. To add to that
problem, several agencies are voicing a need to beef up staffing and systems.

The lack of money and treatment spots available will alter our ability to
match appropriate recovery plans to the addicted individuals. Four levels
of treatment have been set up in San Diego County from education plans to
structured residential programs. Early assessment would indicate that many
of the individuals who will qualify for treatment are heroin and
methamphetamine users with long histories of use. Although they need
intensive care, they may only get minimum programs, which would set them up
for further failures.

The preferred plan would be for long-term structured rehabilitation with
gradually increasing independence as they move forward in recovery. And, in
the event of relapse, a loss of privileges and a return to more structure
is an appropriate consequence. It is our hope that the court understands
relapse and doesn't abandon the addict with a third slip and order punitive
incarceration.

A major obstacle could be many citizens' reluctance to accept recovery
centers in their own back yard. Fear and prejudice close people's minds to
change for the greater good. Recovering individuals actually make good
neighbors. They have service work to do and society to repay, and are often
grateful for the opportunity. Community-based recovery centers are a far
better alternative than having illicit drug activity occurring in your
neighborhood. Therapeutic communities should be embraced and supported all
over the county in order to address the magnitude of the need.

PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment and Healing) continues to deliver the
message that drug addicts are human beings who probably started their lives
with a lot of promise before the disease took them off course. Working
together we can be sure that they are given the opportunity to overcome
their illness, realize their potential and become contributing members of
society.

We are on the brink of exciting change. Success depends on collaborative
efforts and commitment to positive solutions.