REHABILITATION AND DRUGS IN THE AMERICAN JUSTICE SYSTEM

NOVEMBER 14, 2013

Ms. Robisch Written by: Ryan Hock

Statistics show that people who are placed in rehabilitation centers overcome their addiction, whereas those who are not given that opportunity simply return to their old ways once they are out of jail. Correctional facilities in the United States are ineffective when used to incarcerate drug addicts, and they deprive offenders of the help they need to receive while behind bars. The justice system is not necessarily helping the offender, instead, they are discarding and forgetting about them until their sentence is complete. The government can save money by rehabilitating the offender, rather than incarcerating them. If we implement rehabilitation more thoroughly throughout the justice system here in the United States, we can not only save money, but also promote healthy behavior after the release of the prisoner. The Judicial Branch needs to change its ways and promote rehabilitation. The government can decrease drug related crime rates and save money by implementing rehabilitation, increasing drug education, and increasing funding for rehabilitation centers. The government can decrease drug related crime rates and save money by implementing rehabilitation. The rate of crime in todays society are mostly controlled by drugs. With drugs as a baseline, many crimes sprout up from the industry. If we were to attack the problem at the source, the entire rate of crime would be reduced tremendously. One of the first steps after a criminal has been tried is to determine their sentence. With rehabilitation implemented into the punishment, the criminal will not only be separated from society temporarily, but also receive the treatment they need to stay clean. Clinical rehabilitation is a possible treatment option for addicts, but majority of tax payers and voters do not want to see the end of prison sentences for drug offenders. To carry out a truly successful sentence with an offender who will not retreat to their old ways, something new must be done. According to James F. Davis, a Board Certified Interventionist, these people need treatment if they are going to manage their addictions and

successfully reintegrate into society. (Davis) He claims that most states prisons do, in fact, have rehabilitation centers; yet he argues that they are drastically underfunded (Davis). Including a combination sentence of prison time and rehabilitation, the addict would be forced to receive treatment for their addiction and help them to become a beneficial member of society. With rehabilitation implemented into the criminals sentence, not only will the government be saving money, but also reducing the rate of drug related crime. The government can decrease drug related crime rates and save money by increasing drug education. Drug education is something many elementary school children have the opportunity to learn. For most children who did not receive drug education, they learn about drugs later on when it may be too late. The problem is that they learn first-hand from a peer, and did not learn formally by an experienced drug officer. These children should be learning about these effects of drugs, and how to say no to drugs at an early age. Gaining knowledge about drugs is the first step in confronting the issue directly. A nationwide program here in the United States is D.A.R.E. This stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. D.A.R.E. teaches them not just that they should refuse drugs and alcohol, and not participate in violent activities, but how to do so. (Department of Safety) This program has been so successful here in the United States, that it has been adopted by 43 other countries around the world. By funding this program more so, we can help funnel our nations youth away from drugs; thus reducing the rate of drug related crime. The government can decrease drug related crime rates and save money by increasing funding for rehabilitation centers. Federal funding to aid in the rehabilitation process would help dramatically. With most rehab centers failing to meet the demand, we need funding more than ever. More therapists, doctors, and even more treatment centers would allow for a healthier

environment for each addict to receive the help they need to feel normal again. Dependency on drugs rules your life. With a growing population dependent upon addictive drugs, the federal government needs to overcome and suppress this war on drugs. Funding rehabilitation centers will keep addicts off the street in a safe environment. Not only does this keep the offender from doing drugs, but it also keeps them from selling to other people. This causes an incredible chain reaction in which less and less drugs become available. With the sentence of prison time and rehabilitation, the government will save money. In New York, they saved over $50,000 in a single calendar year just by implementing more rehabilitation and less prison time. (More) This money could be used to education this nations youth about drugs so that this prominent problem doesnt exist in its entirety in years to come. Often times, criminal drug offenders end up back on the streets doing the same thing that got them in trouble the first time. The offender will spend their time behind bars without truly being changed. Breaking the addiction is often times the only way to ensure that the addict moves away from drugs and becomes a beneficial part of society. (Davis) In order to implement this into our system, our legislative branch needs to recognize the importance of rehabilitation rather than imprisonment. Rehabilitation is critical to the repairs necessary to help our Nations people who struggle with addictions. The first step to improving our system is to recognize that an addiction is a sickness. To treat an addict as criminal and put them behind bars is asinine. It is our duty as civilians to help change our government for the better, and recognize those in need. Currently, we have 330,000 prisoners nationwide serving sentences for drug abuse and addiction. (Drug offenders) In an effort to reduce this number, and also to save money, I propose that we not only sentence these offenders to a prison sentence, but also implement rehabilitation. If the offender learns to deal with their addiction in a healthy,

productive way, then they may turn out to be productive members of society. Another issue that arises from this is that crime rates among children rises when brought up with a single parent. Suppose one or both of the parents are in jail, the children are more susceptible to criminal activity. (Austin, Krisberg) Often times for minor drug offenses, people are put through a diversion program. If these programs were intensified and extended to federal drug criminals, it could have a significant impact. Recent statistics show that 52% of federal prisoners were abusing drugs and were dependent upon them. (Drug Offenders) This is a severely high rate of prisoners who are being overlooked for the opportunity to receive rehabilitation and therapy. Unfortunately, instead of rehabilitating them and aiding their recovery, the justice system prolongs the recovery process and discards them as a social problem. Contrary to common belief, incarcerating the offender and discarding them does not help. The solution would be to put them through strenuous rehabilitation and learn how to deal with their addictions. With the implementation of rehabilitation in the justice system, crime rates will decrease. With drugs playing such a crucial role in modern society, it is important for the government to maintain reasonable yet effective punishments. Funding for drug education will not only inform youth about the harmfulness of drugs, but also make them aware to the heavy consequences they will face; thus reducing the rate of drug related crime. With increased funding for rehabilitation centers offenders will receive the treatment they need to keep them off drugs and remain a productive member of society. Incorporating rehab and prison sentence will deter possible criminal offenders and also act as a more effective punishment for convicted criminals. The government can decrease drug related crime rates and save money by implementing rehabilitation, increasing drug education, and increasing funding for rehabilitation centers.

Austin, J. F., and B. Krisberg. NCJRS. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=143762>. Davis, James F. "Prison Time vs. Rehab for Drug Offenders." RecoveryFirst.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2013. "Department of Safety & Homeland Security. Bill Gibbons, Commissioner." D.A.R.E. Program. Department of Saftey, n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2013. "Drug Offenders in the Correctional System." Welcome. Common Sense for Drug Policy, n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2013. More, Jared. "Jail vs. Treatment for Drug Offenders." Treatment Solutions. 2013 Treatment Solutions, n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2013.