Pubdate: Mon, 28 Mar 2005
Source: Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC)
Copyright: 2005 The Herald-Sun
Contact:  http://www.herald-sun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1428
Author: Robert Sharpe

TACKLE METH EXPLOSION WITH TREATMENT FACILITIES

How should North Carolina respond to the growing use of methamphetmine? 
During the crack epidemic of the '80s, New York City chose the zero 
tolerance approach, opting to arrest and prosecute as many users 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 first hand 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.

The writer is a policy analyst for Common Sense for Drug Policy

ROBERT SHARPE

Arlington, Va.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom