1/27/99
Los Angeles Times, Thursday, January 7, 1999. EDITORIAL
Attacking the Drug/Crime Link
With new studies showing that half of all substance abusers have been arrested at
some point for crimes ranging from burglary and auto theft to assault and murder,
the link between drugs and crime is clearer than ever. Incredibly, most law enforcement
officials let these captive audiences go without so much as a sermon on the dangers
of illegal drugs.
The California prison system, for instance, can provide intensive substance abuse
treatment and education to only about 3,000 of the estimated 120,000 inmates with
substance abuse problems. On Tuesday, President Clinton proposed doubling federal
spending for rehabilitating prisoners with drug problems. Congress should strongly
support the president's initiative, for data show that proven substance abuse programs
in prison significantly reduce recidivism rates and thus crime overall. The trick
comes in ensuring that federal dollars flow to the most effective use. A 1978 study
showing that many of California's substance abuse programs were ineffective led legislators
to shut down inept and effective programs alike. The new head of the state Youth
and Adult Correctional Agency, Robert Presley, should take a balanced approach, directing
dollars to where they can do the most good.
One model should be the Amity [THERAPEUTIC
COMMUNITY] program at Donovan, a medium-security state prison
east of San Diego. According to a 1997 federal study, only 16% of inmates who completed
Donovan's program were rearrested within one year of their release, as opposed to
65% of Donovan inmates who did not participate. The program works because it demands
that prisoners attend hours of drug rehabilitation treatment each day and that they
submit to intensive drug testing and counseling when they are on parole.
A link between crime and drugs is unassailable. Last year, the Legislature set aside
$10 million for prison-based substance abuse programs. If Congress embraces Clinton's
proposal to distribute $120 million for similar programs nationwide, California will
gain even more resources. The challenge will be to maximize the benefits.
(Copyright 1999 Los Angeles Times.)
For a more detailed analysis of the therapeutic community approach, with emphasis
on the Amity methodology, see Lewis Yablonsky's book THE THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY: A SUCCESSFUL APPROACH
FOR TREATING SUBSTANCE ABUSERS (Gardner Press, 1994).
For United States residents the book is available for $30 by sending a cashiers check to: Dr. Lewis Yablonsky, 2311 4th St., Santa Monica, Ca. 90405. For out of country requests please add $13.00 for shippng and handling charges.