Pubdate: Wed, 26 Feb 2014
Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Copyright: 2014 Globe Newspaper Company
Contact: http://services.bostonglobe.com/news/opeds/letter.aspx?id=6340
Website: http://bostonglobe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52
Author: Debra Goldman

WE NEED TO INVEST IN BETTER POLICY IN DRUG FIGHT

RE "MORE drug courts sought: Opiate overdoses bring broad calls for
action in state" (Page A1, Feb. 25): More drug courts is a good idea,
but what about more treatment beds? If we treat addicts instead of
incarcerating them - a good idea - then where do we send them for treatment?

In-patient rehab and mental health services have been cut in the state
budget. We don't save money by doing this. We spend it on
incarceration instead.

There is a financial and moral cost to this policy. If we do right by
people who are struggling with addiction and mental illness, we reap
the reward of people living and working instead of dying
unnecessarily.

Debra Goldman

Wayland
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MAP posted-by: Matt