Pubdate: Thu, 17 Jul 2003
Source: Messenger-Inquirer (KY)
Copyright: 2003 Messenger-Inquirer
Contact:  http://www.messenger-inquirer.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1285

DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM AT JAIL NEEDED

The debate over punishment versus treatment for drug offenders, from an 
ideological perspective, is one that has strong arguments on both sides of 
the issue.

But study after study show that, without adequate treatment, all the 
enforcement in the world isn't going to alleviate the growing drug problem.

That's bad news for Owensboro, because in terms of treatment options, this 
community is lacking. That was the assessment of an assistant U.S. 
attorney, who in the midst of an all-out assault on meth two years ago, 
said treatment options were limited, and those available weren't very 
successful.

And it was the assessment of a group of local officials -- led by former 
City Commissioner Olive Burroughs -- who last year began exploring how 
additional treatment options could be offered to the community.

Jailer David Osborne, however, has an idea that has the potential to not 
only address some of these concerns, but to do so at a level where need is 
greatest.

Osborne wants to take the 24-bed E. Louis Johnson Youth Alternative Center 
- -- which is sitting empty -- and convert it into an intensive substance 
abuse treatment program for inmates.

He envisions a three-to six-month program for nonviolent offenders, which 
would include daily classes led by area substance abuse professionals.

But if Osborne wants to have maximum results, he should consider a program 
that will also include -- or even require -- a transition phase where 
participants must continue treatment after they are released from custody. 
Studies show that without an after-release program, the impact of treatment 
programs in jails is greatly minimized, if not negated.

Osborne estimates that eight out of every 10 people who enter the Daviess 
County jail eventually return. The obvious reason is that the issues that 
led to their being arrested -- substance abuse, in many cases -- still 
exist when they are released. If their environment isn't changed, addiction 
will ultimately lead them down the same troubled path.

And few are getting the help they need behind bars, both locally and at the 
national level. While the Office of National Drug Control Policy estimates 
that between 60 to 80 percent of all inmates have substance abuse problems, 
the common estimate among treatment professionals is that only one in 10 
get the help they need.

Those who do get help, however, tend to lead more productive lives. A study 
of a New York prison released in March showed that those who received 
treatment were 67 percent less likely to return to jail than those who 
didn't. Similar results were found in a 2000 study of inmates in 
California, Delaware and Texas.

With details still being ironed out, we hope Osborne and others give 
serious consideration to adding after-release options to this program. But 
his idea for a treatment center is one that deserves public support, 
because it offers a real chance to meet a critical area of need in the 
ongoing battle with drugs. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake