What's a community to do?
An effective guide to drug policy
The situation seems dire - kids getting high, dealers cruising the streets, meth labs popping up just blocks from the school house, prisons running over. Concerned citizens look for ways to stem the continuing growth of substance abuse in their home town, but aren't sure what to do --- budget for more police, more jail space? It seems as though it is time to really get tough.
But just a minute! Isn't this exactly what we've been doing for the last forty years? States and the federal government spent $9 billion on jails and prisons in 1982 and $49 billion in 1999, an increase of more than 400 percent But the drug problem hasn't dropped by 400 percent. In fact, the problem has become worse. Clearly something isn't working.
Increasingly, concerned communities are discovering that new approaches yield better results. For example, offering treatment programs instead of jail time is not only less expensive, but offers long-lasting solutions to the fundamental problem of addiction. Treated as the medical problem that it really is, addiction responds much better to counseling, education, and behavioral modification than it does to a crime-and-punishment approach. When a community wants to take action, what are some effective steps and options?
1. Set realistic goals
a. Just as many people use alcohol responsibly without driving drunk or becoming an alcoholic, many people use marijuana responsibly. It is not realistic to believe that marijuana or any other illegal drug can ever be eradicated from the face of the earth. This is a lesson America should have learned from its failed effort with alcohol prohibition. A more effective approach would be to ask, how can we reduce the number of people who abuse illegal drugs? And, how can we reduce the harm these drugs cause to families and communities?
b. Working within one community, or even within a region, there are still only a limited number of changes that can be made at this level. Drug policy is established at the state and national level. So local efforts may ultimately involve working to make changes not only at the local level, but also at the state and national level. In order to be effective, you may need to network with other local, regional, and even state and national organizations.
2. Get clear on what you want
Two sides to the same coin approach: On one side is a person whose life is out of control. He abuses drugs, can't support his family, and spreads a bad influence in the community. He's been arrested several times and it seems the only answer is to lock him up forever. Get tough on this guy! On the other side is a person who is hopelessly addicted to substance abuse. He can't stop and can't seem to get any help trying to stop. He doesn't want to throw his life away but can't figure out how to avoid abusing drugs, which leads to more jail time. The only thing that feels good is getting high. What does the community want? Does it want to keep building more jails so there is always room to throw away more broken people? Or does it want to provide ways to help broken people get well?
3. Find out what works in other communities
a. Drug Court. Encouraged by research showing treatment to be more effective than jail time in reducing substance abuse, many communities have called for change in the approach to substance abuse problems. In Arkansas, drug courts have begun to offer treatment instead criminal sentencing for persons whose offenses stem from their substance abuse. For example, a person may write hot checks in order to support a drug habit. Rather than spend time in jail, this person could spend time in treatment and learn how to control the drug habit. This follows the simple logic of addressing the real problem (addiction) instead of just the symptoms (writing hot checks). If drug court is not available in your community, it should be.
b. Effective, accessible treatment. Just because treatment is available for people in your community doesn't mean it is effective. Substance abuse is usually a problem that has been growing for a long time. It won't go away in a three-week treatment program. Sometimes even a year in treatment isn't enough. It could take years for a person to overcome the urge to get high and learn new ways to feel good. Some of the contributing factors to substance abuse occurred early in life, such as sexual or emotional abuse. Many substance abusers had parents who also abused substances, so that's all they know. They have learned to see themselves as outsiders, bad people who can't have the good things in life. It takes a lot of hard work to turn around this kind of attitude. And it takes a whole-person approach: improvement in educational and job skills, self-esteem, health and appearance.
Programs that are effective in helping people make these kinds of changes are also expensive. Very few "good" treatment programs are available in Arkansas. Taxpayers in Arkansas, through their elected representatives, need to decide if they want to keep paying $60,000 per year to put people in jail for substance abuse, or if they would rather spend that money on quality treatment.
c. Meaningful prevention. Why wait 'til it gets that bad? Some communities are getting proactive about substance abuse, looking at ways to prevent addiction. They acknowledge that prohibition isn't working. Among the preventative approaches are:
-
improved early education, helping kids catch up and stay up with their grade level
-
full community services for families, including medical and mental health care
-
a reality-based drug education program
-
high quality, easily available treatment programs
-
a non-punitive approach to addiction
4. Find out what works in other nations
Many nations have begun a process of dismantling the drug war. Instead of shuttling billions toward police and prisons, nations are embarking on a new approach to drug policy. Adult citizens are granted the right to use marijuana without risk of arrest. In return, governments are gaining additional resources to provide treatment for persons with serious addiction problems who commit crimes in order to support their addictions. Even in the United States, some states and municipalities have found that this approach offers tremendous benefits. Marijuana offenses are given the lowest law enforcement priority, freeing up resources for more serious offenses. Is this something that would work in your community? Before a community or citizen committee makes choices about how to move forward on an issue of concern such as drugs, it is good to learn about other similar efforts. No one wants to re-invent the wheel. A wide range of literature at public libraries and online information is available. Study groups could select some topics and report back to the group. And what do others in the community think? Consider hosting public meetings to hear input from every possible point of view. Think some folks might be too squeamish to talk about big new ideas? Offer to accept anonymous input. Sit down with community leaders, especially those on the front lines like law enforcement and public defenders. Tell them what they say will remain confidential, and then ask them if prohibition is working. Above all, be willing to consider new ideas. Think long term. We didn't get in this mess overnight and we won't get out quickly. Incremental change will be required. What comes first?
News
UA-F Student Body Votes YES on SAFER Initiative
Sunday, May 17, 2009
After two previous attempts to gather sufficient signatures to place a SAFER (Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation) initiative before UA students, campus organizers were successful in March to quality their...
Blog
Government propaganda
Wednesday, Oct 22, 2008
A friend sent a link http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/stoners/# and said it was “humorous,” and so in a quiet moment amid the perpetual storm on my desk, I clicked. I guess I...
Social Networks
Stay connected to DPEG