DRUG TREATMENT

Monday's story on the Regina McKnight case quoted government officials
saying that the policy of arresting drug-addicted pregnant women is a
treatment-based or "amnesty" program.

One fact must be made clear - Regina McKnight was never offered drug treatment.

If you review her hospital records and her arrest records, there is no
mention of drug treatment being offered. As a matter of fact, the Conway
Hospital Protocol does not have any mention of treatment, only how to
arrest a woman based on a positive urine test.

I tried my best to find drug treatment in Horry County for Ms. McKnight to
no avail.

I believe the people of South Carolina want drug treatment for
drug-addicted pregnant women, but they need to know the truth about South
Carolina's current policy: When you arrest someone, it is not treatment and
it is not amnesty.

In this case, it is using the criminal justice system to warehouse another
person with a drug problem in our prison system.

WYNDI ANDERSON, Executive Director, S.C. Advocates for Pregnant Women, 171
Church St.