Pubdate: Sun, 25 Feb 2007
Source: Nevada Appeal (Carson City, NV)
Copyright: 2007 Nevada Appeal
Contact:  http://www.nevadaappeal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/896
Author: Robert Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

METH ANSWER MUST INCLUDE TREATMENT

How should Nevada respond to illicit methamphetamine use? During the 
crack epidemic of the eighties, New York City chose the zero 
tolerance approach, opting to arrest and prosecute as many offenders 
as possible.

Meanwhile, Washington, D.C., Mayor Marion Barry was smoking crack and 
America's capital had the highest per capita murder rate in the 
country. Yet crack use declined in both cities simultaneously.

Simply put, the younger generation saw firsthand what crack was doing 
to their older brothers and sisters and decided for themselves that 
crack was bad news.

This is not to say nothing can be done about methamphetamine. Access 
to drug treatment is critical for the current generation of meth 
users. Diverting resources away from prisons and into cost-effective 
treatment would save both tax dollars and lives.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Common Sense for Drug Policy 
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman