Pubdate: Sun, 06 Aug 2000 Source: Standard-Speaker (PA) Website: http://www.standardspeaker.com/ Address: 21 N. Wyoming St., Hazleton, PA 18201 Contact: 2000 The Standard-Speaker TREATMENT, AND ENFORCEMENT, ARE NEEDED IN DRUG WAR One thing Carbon County Commissioner Thomas Gerhard's critics can never say about him is that he's not consistent. Like a clock that never loses its time, Gerhard sticks to simple things in his life as a public servant. He is a strong believer that government should play virtually no role in the private lives of its citizens - that too many tax dollars go to fund goody-goody programs that never seem to work. Unfortunately, the commissioner sometimes turns his wrath toward efforts that deserve better. Once more, Gerhard has opposed county funding of drug and alcohol treatment programs. He voted Thursday against a "purchase of service agreement" involving the county's Children and Youth Services agency and a Pittsburgh firm that would direct its prevention efforts toward substance-abusing youths. In stating his opposition, Gerhard offered some narrow-minded platitudes. The commissioner believes that if "you want to clean up the drugs in this country, then stop them where they're coming from and pass laws and enforce them. And don't give me this tear-jerky stuff when you rubber-stamp everything" related to funding treatment programs and centers. Gerhard reasonably argues that those who do and sell the drugs should be responsible for their actions. Throwing the scoundrels in jail surely will rid the country of its substance-abuse scourge. How wonderful a world it would be if everything worked so simply. Just say no. And if they don't, toss them in the already-overcrowded prison system until they learn their lesson. But what the commissioner's views neglect is the many billions of taxpayer money already wasted on the so-called national drug war. Massive law enforcement efforts have made no dent whatsoever in the trade. Still, legislators continue to pour more good money after bad in this well-intentioned but poorly conducted onslaught. At this weeks's Shadow Convention in Philadelphia, which played against the Republican National Convention in the same city, many of Gerhard's fellow conservatives, led by commentator Arianna Huffington, bemoaned the wasteful federal spending in the drug war. While their overall position on the matter may not be the answer either, they rightly point out the national futility in this endeavor. Enforce the drug laws? Of course, and with vigilance. But to think that simply arresting people will stop drugs is small-minded. As proven many times before, one drug dealer will simply be replaced by another. What's needed is a combined effort toward punishment and treatment. The best way to stop drugs at their source is not only to stymie the distributors but also to deter the consumers. Prevention and education efforts the like of which Carbon will make are just as vital a part of the equation. In many cases, Gerhard's tenacity is to be admired. But that also must be tempered with thoughtfulness and sensitivity toward the issues, particularly one that tears at our society as much as drug abuse. He needs to rethink his position on this matter, as much for his government as for his neighbors. - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck