VOLUNTARY OR NOT, DRUG TREATMENT WORKS (2/2)

I applaud The Sun for raising the visibility of drug abuse treatment as a
way to address Baltimore's drug addiction problem.

As president of the Maryland Chapter of the National Council on Alcoholism
and Drug Dependence, I am acutely aware of how inadequate treatment funding
has hampered efforts to reduce the harm associated with drug addiction.

It is unfortunate, however, that The Sun criticized recent efforts by the
city's health department and Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems Inc. because
they haven't reserved treatment for offenders.

While few dispute the need for treatment within the criminal justice system,
providing voluntary and non-voluntary treatment should not be presented as
opposing alternatives.

Treatment is effective -- whether prompted by court referral or
self-referral.

The problem is that all types of substance abuse treatment have been
inadequately funded for years and are not available to all who seek it.

A Band-aid solution will not work here. We need a real commitment from city
and state leadership to enhance the treatment system so that it can provide
care and services to all.

If we are going to make real progress on this important issue, we must put
aside arguments about whether voluntary or non-voluntary treatment is
better.

In the meantime, let's support all efforts to increase the access to and
quality of drug treatment.

Robert White Baltimore