PROGRESSIVE APPROACH

I commend you for bringing attention to a positive change in the "war on
drugs" in the Jan. 4 editorial, "Grand Traverse County's Drug Court is
worth a try." I couldn't agree more with the author who points out the
benefits of a drug court as opposed to the traditional criminal justice
approach. Drug treatment programs, especially in the long run, are far more
efficient at reducing crime and recidivism of substance abuse than
shuffling these non-violent offenders through our overcrowded prisons and
jails.

Also, by allowing these individuals to remain in the community, they have
the ability to continue to provide for their families, who are often the
ones that suffer the most when a parent goes to jail. I hope other
communities in Michigan will take notice of the progressive approach Grand
Traverse is taking at dealing with our drug problem.

Shaun Hittle,

Kalamazoo