A WASTEFUL CUT

State budget problems have prompted the governor to request cost-cutting
proposals from his departmental leadership. One measure proposed by the
Department of Correction is to shut down the DART (Drug Alcohol Recovery
Treatment)-Cherry Program.

Each year this program provides long-term treatment for nearly 2,000
criminal offenders who have chemical dependency problems. The cost of
housing and treating these men amounts to less than $40 per day as compared
to the average daily in-prison cost of $65.27. It does not take an
accountant to show which one will save you money.

The stated mission of the Department of Correction is to protect public
safety. Yet to place an additional burden on the criminal justice system by
the elimination of DART-Cherry would mean more drug-addicted criminals on
the street.

Some think that "treatment" is a soft approach to crime. There is nothing
soft about the DART-Cherry program. It is an extremely arduous course of
treatment. Many offenders state that they would rather do time in a prison
than endure this course of therapy.

Others may wonder if treatment works. Research shows it does indeed work,
that forced treatment works better than voluntary treatment, and that it
saves money.

Closing this program is penny wise but pound foolish, costing us more in
the long run.

John V. G. Mayton

Goldsboro