- Is it better to put drug addicts in jail or to send them to mandatory drug treatment programs?
I think both, drug addicts should be punished for crimes they commit, however they should also be required to seek drug treatment to treat their illness – addiction. It is amazing to watch the news and learn that a repeat offender has committed yet another crime. Jail has become a revolving door…they go in and serve their time and then they are released back into society, into the same environment…many of them are homeless and unemployed…some live with relatives or friends who try to assist them until they are able to sustain themselves but since they have not been treated for the issue that causes them to commit crimes they return to the familiar and end up back in jail. I believe mandatory drug treatment in addition to jail time will assist them to seek alternatives to their deviant lifestyle. Not only does drug treatment help with their addiction, but they also help and refer them for assistance for employment and housing. Once a drug addict is delivered that is an opportunity for them to reach out to someone they know who is struggling with the addiction…each one, helps one! Putting them in jail does not help them with their drug addiction, although it should break the addiction, however once they are released and return to the same environment they return to what they know. Some repeat offenders have confessed that they repeat crimes because they know for certain when they go to jail they will have shelter, clothing and food.
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