Pubdate: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 Source: Times, The (LA) Copyright: 2004 The Times Contact: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1019 Author: Paul Glanville DRUG TREATMENT KEEPS YOUTHS OUT OF PRISON Some 77 percent of those in prison are there because of drugs, but we have no drug treatment programs in our prisons. But there is hope, with the announcement of this area's first state-funded inpatient chemical dependency treatment center for troubled teens. Now there is help for these troubled teenagers before they end up behind the walls at the David Wade Correctional Center at Homer. And there are the monetary savings. For each dollar Louisiana puts into alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs, it will reduce future expenditures on crime and medical treatment by anywhere from $3.69 to $5.19, research shows. Paul Glanville Shreveport - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin