MORE TREATMENT WILL REDUCE COST OF DRUG WAR

I'm writing to express support for Gil Puder's article. As an outreach
worker for the Veterans Affairs Addiction Treatment Center in Seattle
for the past two years, I have interviewed more than 250 individuals
incarcerated in the King County Jail system generally for drug-related
offenses. Addicts incarcerated within King County receive limited drug
treatment and serve their time watching television, playing cards and
waiting to pick up their addictions once they are released back into
the community.

Increasing, criminal justice spending to combat drug use and its costs
is reactive policy. The war on drugs will continue to be costly and
ineffective until addicts are given more opportunities for treatment
and rehabilitation in addition to being punished for the crimes they
commit. The benefits to the community would be immediate, resulting in
a higher quality of life to all citizens.

Until substance use in this country is treated as a chronic medical
condition such as cancer or diabetes, our government will continue to
struggle with why, after spending billions on the war on drugs since
1980, the situation has not gone away. In reading Puder's article I
was very impressed at his courage, clarity and insight in describing
this public health crisis.

Mark Correale
Seattle