
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 10, 1993                   TAG: 9311110466
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: WILLIAM D. CLARKSON
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

DRUG-TREATMENT PROGRAMS NEEDED

WE HAVE just experienced another political campaign in which one of the major themes was who can be tougher on crime. Which candidate can put the most criminals behind bars and keep them there the longest? And while they're at it, abolish parole.

Now that we've made our choices, there's a sobering question awaiting us: ``Who is going to pay the bill?'' You, the taxpayer, have been, and you will.

The Oct. 18 commentary by Richard Sorensen entitled ``To cut state spending, look at prison costs'' was right on target. It's utterly foolish to go on building prisons while we undercut education. Virginians are paying twice: more taxes for prisons and higher tuition for our students.

It's time we look for better answers. We can start by asking: ``What percentage of criminals are in jail, at least in part, as a result of alcohol and drug abuse?'' The likely answer will be quite high, possibly 50 percent to 75 percent. The next question would be: ``When criminals in this group are put in jail, are they routinely involved in substance-abuse education?'' The answer, I'm afraid, is very infrequently. It's no wonder that when they are released, they quickly return to both habits - drugs and crime.

Instead of building more expensive prisons to warehouse criminals, let's at least try to do something about one of the main reasons they're there: Have substance-abuse prisoners participate in a mandatory, intensive three-week substance-abuse treatment program. The ones who wish to may continue in Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous while in prison, a decision on their part that could weigh heavily in a proposed early release. After release, they could be followed by their probation officer, and with unannounced urine-drug screens and breathalyzer tests.

Would this cost more? Possibly in the near term, but less later on. We're already paying a big part of intensive treatment: confinement within four walls. If done properly with a well-trained staff, there would be positive results with reduced crime, less recidivism and more-productive citizens. Since adequate staff is lacking, Virginia would have to start with a pilot program that would give us the opportunity to measure results. It's a gamble, perhaps, but as a taxpayer I would consider my money better spent this way than on the alternative.

In the meanwhile, politicians shouldn't insult our intelligence by telling us that jail will solve this problem while the state goes deeper in debt.

\ William D. Clarkson is a local psychiatrist who has been treating patients for substance abuse for 25 years.

by CNB