Court Treatment System Is Found to Help Drug Offenders Stay Clean

[Khephra]

Nonviolent drug offenders who complete judge-supervised treatment programs are significantly less likely to commit crimes again than those who serve prison time, according to a new study by an independent research arm of the New York State court system.

The study underscores what New York's chief judge, officials at the United States Justice Department and local judges across the country have believed for years, without the benefit of formal research: that state-run "drug courts" offering court-supervised treatment programs are far better at preventing future criminal behavior than prison is, and that they do so at a fraction of the cost.

The study of New York's drug court system, by the Center for Court Innovation, found that in six sample jurisdictions — including three in New York City — the rearrest rate among drug offenders who had completed a court-monitored treatment plan was 29 percent lower over three years than the rate for the same type of drug offenders who opt for prison time without treatment.

more.............

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/09/nyregion/09DRUG.html?ex=1068958800&

[Cha]

1. Hmmm?! I wonder why?..

I'm kidding! I'm glad "they" came to this conclusion.

[Nikia]

2. I think that makes a lot of sense

For drug users to quit using drugs, they need to be treated through a program that helps them quit drugs. Prisions only punish. They also make the offender bitter, help them meet "real" criminals, and make it more difficult to get a job and fully participate in society. An offender punished with prision is probably even more likely to be using more drugs and selling drugs than if they had not gone to prision. I hope that more politicians and others who can affect policy pay attention to this.

[Khephra]

3. And, of course

The rich get off with treatment, while the poor and middleclass go to jail. If more rich people went to jail for drug problems, I'd bet that drug laws would be reformed within a year.