CRIMINAL JUSTICE APPROACH THREATENS PUBLIC SAFETY

This is regarding "Time's up for the war on drugs" (Dec. 16). Thanks in
large part to a handful of committed activists in King County, Washington
is one of many states whose lawmakers are debating prison vs.
rehabilitation. The drug war is the principal reason the United States now
has the highest incarceration rate in the world.

At an average cost of $25,071 per inmate annually, maintaining the world's
largest prison system can hardly be considered fiscally conservative.

Treating substance abuse as a public health problem would do more than just
save Washington taxpayers money. The criminal justice approach is a very
real threat to public safety. Prisons transmit violent habits and values
rather than reduce them.

Most non-violent drug offenders are eventually released, with dismal job
opportunities due to criminal records. Turning recreational drug users into
hardened criminals is not a good use of tax dollars.

Alcohol and tobacco are by far the two deadliest drugs, yet the government
does not make it its business to actively destroy the lives of drinkers and
smokers.

Instead of wasting billions on a hypocritical war on some drugs we should
be funding cost-effective drug treatment. Of course, in order for treatment
to really work politicians are going to have to tone down the
tough-on-drugs rhetoric. Would alcoholics seek help for their illness if
doing so were tantamount to confessing to criminal activity?

Robert Sharpe

Program Officer

The Lindesmith Center - Drug Policy Foundation

Washington, D.C.