TREATMENT, JOBS ARE WHAT'S NEEDED

I wholeheartedly applaud the federal government for trying to reduce
sentencing for crack-cocaine sales and possession convictions.
However, the problem continues and grows when they are released into
the community with minimal resources to tap in terms of treatment and
employment.

As a parole substance-abuse counselor for many years, I am well aware
that the government is not real keen on treatment. Treatment options
are meager and haphazard. Long waiting lists for more intense
treatment discourage any spark of hope in terms of "rehabilitating"
those with a penchant for addiction. And as far as employment for
those with a drug conviction, the few above-minimum-wage choices
usually send them into the construction sector, which is rife with
drug use. And let's not forget the discrimination from the federal
food stamp program. (No food stamps to drug offenders). When a
drug-convicted parolee can't pay their bills or feed their families,
they return to the streets since that's what they know best. And the
cycle continues.

These parolees need wrap-around services to include most importantly
addiction and /or mental health treatment, education, job training and
placement. Many of the parolees I counsel have never been
"habilitated" let alone "rehabilitated." It's no wonder the rate of
recidivism is so high. I am one of their voices calling out their
needs that can utlimately benefit the society in which we live.

LAUREL SUE MASON

Monticello