Pubdate: Wed, 28 Feb 2007
Source: Surrey Leader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Surrey Leader
Contact:  http://www.surreyleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1236
Author: N. White

MANDATORY DRUG PROGRAMS NEEDED

I am an ex-junkie who spent the better part of three years doing 
heroin and living on the streets of Whalley.

Looking back on that time, I am convinced that if we would have had a 
more rigid system like the one I propose, I would not have spent 
these three years being such a drain on society, hurting not just 
myself, but others around me in the process.

You should serve an automatic six months in a secure detox facility 
for first arrest and conviction for any property type crime (i.e. 
shoplifting/theft/break and enter, etc). When arrested, it should be 
mandatory to test for drug use to ascertain whether the person is a 
drug addict. A forced detox scenario, like prison but more structured 
towards the safe detox of its inmates.

This time would serve as both detox and rehab for the person, who 
upon release would then attend mandatory drug counselling and/or 
NA/AA meetings and visit with a parole officer until no longer needed.

This system would nip the dope fiend behaviour in the bud and would 
also serve to avoid any more crimes related to this person's drug dependence.

I realize this is an expensive system, but the future avoidance of 
taxpayer affecting property crimes would eventually pay off, not to 
mention the positive influence these reformed dope fiends would have 
on society, as contributing members.

The three years that I spent in Whalley as a heroin addict, I 
shoplifted constantly to feed my habit.

Every single time I was arrested, and it happened on numerous 
occasions, the police would always let me go on my own recognizance. 
I would then proceed to the closest store and steal once again with 
no thought at all to the consequences -- there of course being no 
real consequences.

A junkie thinks about today, not about tomorrow, so giving him his 
requisite "promise to appear" dated for three months in the future 
has absolutely no effect. Stop the drug dependence, stop the resulting crime.

I no longer live in Surrey, but I read the Surrey Leader online and I 
find that crime has gotten worse since I left, with more random 
violence and more brazen criminals. Most of these crimes are 
committed by drug addicts who, if not for their drug dependence would 
probably all be law-abiding citizens.

I had never been arrested for anything before becoming a drug addict, 
and I have never been arrested for anything since I left detox seven 
years ago. I now lead a clean and sober life and crime is the last 
thing on my mind.

N. White, Quebec
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom