Pubdate: Wed, 29 Mar 2006
Source: Homer News (AK)
Copyright: 2006 Homer News, a Division of Morris Communications
Contact:  http://www.homernews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4113
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n360/a11.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

ACCESS TO DRUG TREATMENT NEEDED

How should Alaska respond to the growing use of methamphetamine? 
During the crack epidemic of the eighties, New York City chose the 
zero tolerance approach, opting to arrest and prosecute as many 
offenders 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 firsthand 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 
methamphetamine.  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.

Robert Sharpe, policy analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C. 
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman