A recent letter writer decried the methadone and harm-reduction programs within our federal penitentiaries. While surely written with good intentions, unfortunately the critisicm comes out of a misunderstanding of drug addiction.

A 2001 report by the Correctional Service of Canada found that 44 per cent of the crimes committed by offenders were associated with either consumption of or addiction to a psychoactive substance (including alcohol). Of the inmates who used illegal drugs on the day of their offence, the largest proportion of crimes committed were break and enter, theft, robbery and fraud. The inmates who consumed alcohol on the day of their offence were far more likely to have committed assault, murder, sexual assault, or driving under the influence.

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