DRUG PROGRAM: THOSE WHO COMMIT CRIMES NOT TREATED AS INDIVIDUALS

I believe that the inmate drug rehabilitation program is not working
because it puts principles before people ("Drug program bears sparse fruit,
critics say," Aug. 16).

The program is based on the philosophy of psychologist Stanton Samenow, who
believes that all criminals think alike and that their criminal thinking
needs to be redirected. Offenders are always bad people who abuse wives,
neglect kids and cannot keep jobs. The program thus stereotypes.

Offenders tend not to respond to generalizations, as their reasons to use
or sell drugs are diverse and complex. The program does not acknowledge
that and hopes a one-size-fits-all approach bears fruit.

We need to stop basing programs on ideology and admit that people cannot be
brainwashed into sanity. The rhetoric of being tough on crime has clouded
our good judgment. We deify law enforcement personnel and vilify offenders.
An "us against them" mentality ensues that does not permit us to take an
honest look.

We need to stop our single focus on drugs as a criminal problem and once
again open our minds to the possibility of a social or a medical problem.
The orange jumpsuits are deceiving: Offenders are individuals and need to
be treated as such.

Elke Sommers, Milwaukee