Pubdate: Wed, 27 May 2009
Source: Chicago Sun-Times (IL)
Copyright: 2009 The Sun-Times Co.
Contact: http://www.suntimes.com/aboutus/feedback/index.html
Website: http://www.suntimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/81
Author:  Pamela F. Rodriguez,

DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS CUT CRIME

Gov. Quinn has threatened to eliminate funding for drug treatment and 
wipe out two extraordinarily successful drug treatment prisons, 
releasing 2,200 offenders (Gov. Quinn paints "doomsday" budget 
picture, May 18).

Some are not taking the governor's threats seriously. I am.

The elimination of drug treatment would be a disastrous move. For 
families who need help for loved ones, the absence of treatment is 
tragic. For communities beset by drug use and crime, the absence of 
treatment is dangerous.

Offenders mandated to community-based drug treatment are a third less 
likely than other probationers to re-offend. Without treatment in the 
community, there will be more crime.

Offenders who go through the Sheridan or Southwest Illinois drug 
treatment prisons are 40 percent less likely to return to prison than 
those who didn't get these services. Without dedicated drug treatment 
prisons, there will be more crime as 2,200 offenders return to local 
communities.

In this economy, it would be foolhardy to cut the very services that 
make our communities safer. These cuts would cause Illinois to lose 
millions of dollars in federal matching funds.

The governor's "doomsday" budget proposal cannot be taken lightly.

Without treatment, the real doomsday will occur when our communities 
face an explosion in drug-related crime.

Pamela F. Rodriguez,

executive vice president,

TASC, Inc.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom