GOV. BUSH'S NEW BUDGET RESTORES DRUG TREATMENT

As The Post reported in last Tuesday's editorial "Drug-treatment cuts
leave state vulnerable," financing for residential and outpatient
drug-treatment programs was cut severely during a special session of
the Legislature last year. Lawmakers weighed heavily the decision to
reduce money for these programs against the core functions of the
Department of Corrections such as security and public safety.

Gov. Bush's executive budget, released in early January, outlined a
$7.3 million restoration of substance-abuse treatment financing. His
recent supplemental budget included an additional $3.1 million to
restore fully the residential and outpatient substance-abuse treatment
programs.

Under Gov. Bush's leadership, financing for these programs has
increased steadily. In fact, we have seen a 33 percent increase since
1997-98.

The governor and I recognize that to fight crime effectively, we must
do all we can to make sure offenders don't return to prison.
Substance-abuse treatment programs help reduce recidivism and the cost
to taxpayers for repeat incarcerations. I fully support the governor
in asking the Legislature to restore these programs, which have been
an important tool in fighting crime on our streets, in our communities
and in the neighborhoods we call home.

MICHAEL W. MOORE
Secretary
Florida Department of Corrections