DRUG OFFENDERS

The prison population in this country outnumbers any other
industrialized country. The increase in the number of prisoners in
South Carolina is due largely to locking up non-violent drug
offenders. Many of those people locked up could be getting much-needed
drug and alcohol addiction treatment and rehabilitation, working
toward leading healthier lives.

Recent polling found that South Carolinians across party lines support
treatment over punishment. In a state where we have chosen to target
pregnant drug-using women and lock them up, it makes sense that our
prisons are overflowing with people who need health care. The whole
notion of alternative sentencing is something we need to consider, but
please, let's not forget -- non-punitive, accessible drug treatment in
this state will go far to prevent filling the prisons in the first place.

Wyndi Anderson

S.C. Advocates for Pregnant Women