Pubdate: Thu, 17 Jun 1999 Source: Oakland Tribune (CA) Copyright: 1999 MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers Contact: 66 Jack London Sq., Oakland, CA 94607 Website: http://www.newschoice.com/newspapers/alameda/tribune/ TREATMENT FOR DRUG ADDICTS It's a wonderful thing that the voters of Arizona came up with a humane and more cost effective drug policy. A better policy, than could their politicians, who are supposed to respond to the voters. Clearly the politicians were responding to special interests, such as, prison guards, police officers, and all the rest in the criminal justice system. While many in the Crime and Punishment business are dedicated public servants, all are members of a special interest group of the highest order. The truth of that is shown by our governor's proposed budget item for building yet another prison. With "Drug Czar" McCaffrey saying that treatment is the best way to reduce drug crime, we should be re-evaluating California's lack of fiscal dedication for treatment of drug addition. It has been known a long time that marijuana is not addictive and now the government funded Institute of Medicine report on medical marijuana supported that conclusion. With no need for addiciton treatment for marijuana users, what are they doing in jail, costing us money? They chose to use marijuana, let's leave them alone. As the citizens of Arizon have shown that society's "hard drug" problem is best helped by treatment, let's declare addiction a disease, offer treatment on demand to criminals and non-criminals, alike. Think of money we would save. Now, where can I get treatment for my caffine addiciton? - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea