Pubdate: Sat, 18 Aug 2007
Source: North County Times (Escondido, CA)
Copyright: 2007 North County Times
Contact:  http://www.nctimes.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1080
Note: Gives LTE priority to North San Diego County and Southwest 
Riverside County residents
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n960/a12.html?76602
Author: Robert Sharpe

ACCESS TO TREATMENT CRITICAL FOR METH USERS

How should North County respond to illicit methamphetamine use 
("Responding to the meth epidemic: More treatment, less hype," 
Community Forum, Aug. 11)?

During the crack epidemic of the 1980s, New York City chose the 
zero-tolerance approach, opting to arrest and incarcerate as many 
offenders as possible. Meanwhile, Washington, D.C., Mayor Marion 
Barry was smoking crack and America's capital had the highest per 
capita murder rate in the country. Yet crack use declined in both 
cities simultaneously.

Simply put, the younger generation saw firsthand what crack was doing 
to their older brothers and sisters and decided for themselves that 
crack was bad news. This is not to say nothing can be done about 
meth. Access to drug treatment is critical for the current generation 
of meth users. Diverting resources away from prisons and into 
cost-effective treatment would save both tax dollars and lives.

ROBERT SHARPE

MPA policy analyst Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom