Pubdate: Mon, 27 Aug 2007
Source: Daytona Beach News-Journal (FL)
Copyright: 2007 News-Journal Corporation
Contact:  http://www.news-journalonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/700
Note: gives priority to local writers
Referenced:  http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n964/a01.html
Author: Robert Stevenson

TREATMENT FOR ADDICTS

I read with interest The News-Journal's Aug. 16 editorial "Treatment 
under lock: County should use jail to fight addiction cost," and I 
agree with the overall argument.

I also read the Community Voices column "County's math doesn't add up 
to justify end to treating addicts" (Aug. 15) written by Edie 
McKnight, and I strongly disagree with her position. She states that 
"there is a solution to this disease through a 12-step program and 
divine intervention."

The government should not be purchasing "divine intervention."

The experts agree that the most addictive drug and the drug most 
difficult to overcome is nicotine, more difficult than heroin, or 
cocaine, or meth or any other of the illegal drugs. However, most of 
the Americans who have ever smoked cigarettes have quit, usually on 
their own with no help! Now, does that tell us something?

The best program any jail can provide is a voluntary self-help group 
to discuss among themselves the problems of their incarceration, how 
they got there and what they plan for the future. Group interaction 
helps some people to quit and to stay quit. It would be a valuable 
opportunity at a time when they have been removed from all drugs. The 
decision they must face is whether they will start again when they 
are released.

It is their choice. Programs, or treatment, or mama, or sponsors or 
meetings cannot do it for them.

Robert Stevenson

Daytona Beach
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman