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 - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman