FIRM HAND NEEDED IN DEALING WITH ADDICTS

Hollywood and politics are not strangers to each other, but often the
glitterati line up behind the trendy side of an issue. That's why it's
gratifying that popular movie and television actor Martin Sheen will
be the honorary chairman of the campaign against Proposition 36, the
drug decriminalization initiative.

Sheen knows something about dealing with drug addiction. A few years
ago, when his son Charlie Sheen, an actor with substance-abuse
problems, left a court-mandated rehabilitation program, Martin Sheen
called his son's probation officer and turned him in. An arrest
warrant was issued, and Charlie Sheen was forced back into treatment.
The younger Sheen admitted later that his father "saved my life."

Unlike the principal backer of Proposition 36, billionaire financier
George Soros, Martin Sheen understands that leniency doesn't work with
drug addicts. A firm hand is a must.

Proposition 36 on the November ballot would do one good thing: Mandate
an additional $120 million for addiction treatment in California. But
it would also do one very bad thing: Ban nonviolent drug offenders
from being sent to jail. That would erase the proposition's benefits,
and eviscerate drug court programs throughout the state.

Drug courts depend on swift sanctions for those who relapse, usually
by sending them to jail for a few days. It works very well to focus
addicts on the need for sobriety. Proposition 36 would make it illegal
to send drug court participants to jail.

Moreover, several major studies show that mandatory drug treatment
works as well as voluntary treatment.

Drug-treatment professionals don't support Proposition 36. They, like
Martin Sheen in dealing with his son, understand that only tough love
will work. The vicious cycle of addiction and crime can only be broken
through forcing addicts to get the treatment they need.