It costs less to treat the disease than build prisons to house addicts.
There are two approaches to the problem. Some politicos are of the "lock-em-up and throw-away-the-key" bent;" Do Drugs- Do Time". This attitude has led to prison-building becoming the fastest growth industry- more spent on prisons than on schools. MY THOUGHT: CERTAINLY VIOLENT CRIMINALS AND REPEAT OFFENDERS MUST BE REMOVED AND KEPT FROM SOCIETY. 70% OF THE INMATES ARE CONFINED FOR DRUG RELATED OFFENSES. CARROL O'CONNOR AND BILL MOYERS SAY ADDICTION IS A DISEASE. IT COSTS LESS TO TREAT THE DISEASE THAN BUILD PRISONS TO HOUSE ADDICTS. MOST OF THESE PEOPLE NEED AND DESERVE THE TREATMENT BETTY FORD, CINDY MCCAIN, 'COPE' MOYERS, DICK VAN DYKE, ETC. COULD AFFORD. MY EFFORTS WILL BE CONCENTRATED IN THE AREAS OF PREVENTION AND REHABILITATION. IT'S LESS EXPENSIVE, LESS VIOLENT, WITH LESS PRODUCTIVITY LOSS, LESS WELFARE, AND FEWER THEFTS. TREAT THE DISEASE, DON'T PUNISH FOR HAVING IT. AND LETS START NOW! WE DON'T PUNISH FOR DIABETES AND HEART DISEASE.
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