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 - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom