CONSIDER PRISON DRUG TREATMENT

The United States government in 2002 did a study and found that
approximately 60 per cent of juvenile male detainees and 40 per cent
of female detainees tested positive for drug abuse.

The estimated cost to their society was $181 billion dollars - $107
billion dollars of it is associated directly with drug related crimes.

It is a pivotal time in their lives when drug and alcohol abusers find
themselves entering the criminal justice system.

It also offers a unique opportunity to institute treatment for drug
abuse and addiction.

It is a well known fact that comprehensive drug treatment works.It not
only reduces drug use but also curtails criminal behavior and recidivism.

Known addicts should be provided this service under legal mandate.

In British Columbia we should have a work-release system that legally
requires that the person who participated in prison-based treatment
must follow up with ongoing post-release care.

The State of Delaware has a very successful program and is a model for
many other states to follow.

If we are truly the caring society we believe ourselves to be, it is
time to follow Delaware's example rather than have prisons that have
drugs for sale.

Bob Ritchie,

Qualicum Beach