Pubdate: Sun, 18 Feb 2001
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2001 The New York Times Company
Contact:  229 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036
Fax: (212) 556-3622
Website: http://www.nytimes.com/
Forum: http://forums.nytimes.com/comment/
Authors: Phil Enright, Kenneth I. Clayman, Maia Szalavitz
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n271/a12.html
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n258/a07.html

A SOFTER WAY TO FIGHT DRUG ABUSE

To the Editor:

Re "Antidrug Program Says It Will Adopt a New Strategy" (front page, Feb. 15):

The new antidrug strategy of DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) should 
consider an idea that I presented to the Glen Cove, N.Y., Board of 
Education recently: granting academic credit to any high school student who 
remains drug-free. Testing would be through the same non-invasive hair test 
already used by more than 1,600 companies.

What better way for parents, schools and students to overcome peer pressure 
and discourage drug use?

Phil Enright, Glen Cove, N.Y., Feb. 15, 2001, The writer is a member of the 
Glen Cove Board of Education.

~~~

To the Editor:

In California, whenever a draconian initiative is passed, the police, 
judges and district attorneys jump on it with vigor. Their feeling is that 
such laws, despite any warts, must be zealously enforced because they 
represent "the will of the people."

Yet the same people are now criticizing Proposition 36, overwhelmingly 
approved by California voters to provide treatment instead of prison for 
drug users (news article, Feb. 12). While these law enforcement officials 
assert that the law lacks financing, their real agenda is to undermine 
Proposition 36 because it eliminates the coercion they cherish.

Proposition 36, though not perfect, provides millions of dollars to finance 
treatment programs. It is a clear reflection of the voters' dismay with the 
failed "war on drugs." If those in the justice system devote their energies 
to making Proposition 36 work, the will of the people to reduce the scourge 
of drugs will be advanced.

Kenneth I. Clayman, Public Defender, Ventura County Ventura, Calif., Feb. 
14, 2001

~~~

To the Editor:

Re "California Lacks Resources for Law on Drug Offenders, Officials Say" 
(news article, Feb. 12):

Drug treatment professionals have long asserted that coercion is a 
necessary part of addiction care. But research shows that coercion does not 
improve outcomes.

If we were really serious about treating addiction as a disease, the idea 
that any type of coercion was needed would be abhorrent. And if providers 
based their treatment on the research, they would find that empathy, 
respect and support lead to far better outcomes and greater engagement in 
treatment than do the traditional humiliation and confrontation.

Maia Szalavitz, New York, Feb. 13, 2001
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D