Pubdate: Mon, 30 Oct 2006
Source: Columbian, The (WA)
Copyright: 2006 The Columbian Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.columbian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92
Author: Graig S. Andersen

EXPAND TREATMENT

I enjoyed reading the Oct. 26 story, "County told meth war could use 
ammo," on the methamphetamine problem facing this nation.

Having prosecuted drug crimes for two years, I was constantly 
impressed with the fact that most of

the people I incarcerated were

good, intelligent and pleasant people. In contrast to these people's 
incredible potential was their hopeless dependence on methamphetamine 
as their only source of joy or self-assurance.

On many occasions, it pained me that I was forced to send young men 
and women to prison because that was the only option available to me. 
I have long thought that a better approach would be to build secure 
college campuses throughout the state where drug and alcohol addicted 
offenders could live, study and recover.

There is no question that drug users are what drives the narcotics 
trade in this country.

As a pragmatic conservative, my question is this: Is it cheaper in 
the long run to offer hope to people or to warehouse them? Once they 
have been warehoused with rapists, robbers and murderers, what kind 
of a person will the addict be?

He could be treated and be a taxpayer and an outstanding citizen or 
he could be a rapist, robber or murderer.

Craig S. Andersen
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