Pubdate: Mon, 17 Sep 2007
Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA)
Copyright: 2007 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Contact:  http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/408
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH EPIDEMIC - A HELPFUL MESSAGE

When the meth epidemic hit Western states in the 1990s,  there was a
lot of confusion, ignorance and even  misinformation. One of the
biggest, most discouraging  myths was that meth addicts were
untreatable.

National drug czar John Walters brought an important,  more hopeful
message to Seattle last week. He said that  while many people continue
to believe meth addiction is  untreatable, research has shown otherwise.

We can't help but like the congressionally funded "life  after meth"
program that Walters was touting here, one  of eight states targeted
because of high rates of abuse  of the drug. The photos of real people
who have fought  and overcome meth addiction are both an inspiration
and  a reminder of the dangers the drug can pose to anyone.

Effective police and prosecutorial work remain critical  to dealing
with meth addiction. Addicts don't often  seek and stay with treatment
just because they noticed  the drastic social, health and personal
problems  created by the drug. As one former addict told the P-I,
arrest and treatment was the best money the public  could have spent
for him.

In this state, drug courts have been very helpful in  encouraging
treatment. A 2001 paper for the King County  Prosecutor's Office noted
there's typically at least a  12-month program before defendants
"graduate" from drug  court and have charges dismissed. The office
found  researchers repeatedly have concluded "drug court  participants
commit new crimes at a significantly lower  rate." Participation even
without graduation seems to  help.

Meth remains a huge challenge for society and  individuals. But
treatment is a real option.
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MAP posted-by: Derek