Pubdate: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 Source: Palm Beach Post, The (FL) Copyright: 2008 The Palm Beach Post Contact: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/333 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n314/a07.html Author: Robert Sharpe SUBSTANCE-ABUSE PROGRAMS NEEDED Regarding the March 24 editorial "Fewer addicts, less crime:" Florida legislators should think twice before cutting substance-abuse treatment programs. A better way to save money is alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent drug offenders. Children of inmates are at risk of educational failure, joblessness, addiction and delinquency. Not only do the children lose out, but society as a whole does, too. It's time to declare peace in the failed drug war and begin treating all substance abuse, legal or otherwise, as the public health problem it is. ROBERT SHARPE, policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake