TREATMENT FOR DRUG ADDICTS

It's a wonderful thing that the voters of Arizona came up with a
humane and more cost effective drug policy. A better policy, than
could their politicians, who are supposed to respond to the voters.
Clearly the politicians were responding to special interests, such
as, prison guards, police officers, and all the rest in the criminal
justice system. While many in the Crime and Punishment business are
dedicated public servants, all are members of a special interest group
of the highest order. The truth of that is shown by our governor's
proposed budget item for building yet another prison.

With "Drug Czar" McCaffrey saying that treatment is the best way to
reduce drug crime, we should be re-evaluating California's lack of
fiscal dedication for treatment of drug addition.

It has been known a long time that marijuana is not addictive and now
the government funded Institute of Medicine report on medical
marijuana supported that conclusion. With no need for addiciton
treatment for marijuana users, what are they doing in jail, costing us
money? They chose to use marijuana, let's leave them alone.

As the citizens of Arizon have shown that society's "hard drug"
problem is best helped by treatment, let's declare addiction a
disease, offer treatment on demand to criminals and non-criminals,
alike. Think of money we would save. Now, where can I get treatment
for my caffine addiciton?