Another day, another story about the criminalization of addiction.
Cameron Douglas, the son of actor Michael Douglas, is serving a five year sentence in federal prison. He was recently handed another four and a half years for possessing heroin and Suboxone behind bars.
Our first thought – as well as many other addiction specialists – went something like “how’s this going to help him?”
This is the third news story we’ve covered in the last month addressing the criminalization of addiction. First, we touched on Russell Brand and his pleas for treatment not jail. Then we explored NJ Governor Chris Christie’s drug court programs.
The point is that we hear calls for “treatment not prison” time and time again…but it just doesn’t seem like those in power are listening. The tide’s shifting a small bit with programs like the Gloucester Initiative, but we have yet to see a comprehensive shift in the way addiction’s treated in our country.
We’re not okay with that here at Malvern.
Jail Doesn’t Work
Although addiction’s recognized as a disease in the medical community, it isn’t being treated like a mental illness should. There’s a reason the slogan “treatment not jail” has become a rallying cry across the United States.
People arrested for possession of illegal substances need to face some consequences. No one’s arguing that. What’s been a hot topic lately is how the legal system uses harsh punishment against addicts, rather than providing them the treatment they so desperately need.
So, just what are the facts on arresting those struggling with addiction? Consider the following:
- Approximately 1.5 million inmates meet DSM criteria for substance use disorders (Behind Bars II: Substance Abuse and America’s Prison Population)
- Another 458,000, while not meeting strict DSM criteria, have histories of substance abuse, were under the influence of alcohol or other drugs at the time of their crime, committed offense to get money to buy drugs, were incarcerated for an alcohol or drug law violation, or shared some combination of these characteristics (Behind Bars II: Substance Abuse and America’s Prison Population)
- Those two groups account for around 85% of the entire U.S. prison population (Behind Bars II: Substance Abuse and America’s Prison Population)
- When it comes to treatment in jail, the numbers are alarmingly low. According to a 2004 survey, only 15% of State inmates and 17% of Federal inmates participated in a “professional” treatment program (Bureau of Justice Statistics: Drug Use and Dependence, State and Federal Prisoners)
- The statistics get better when you consider peer counseling, self-help, and 12-step fellowships. Around 40% of State-level inmates and 49% of Federal-level inmates were involved in these types of treatment (Bureau of Justice Statistics: Drug Use and Dependence, State and Federal Prisoners)
For more facts and statistics on the impact drugs and alcohol have on crime and inmates, check out this insightful article from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD).
It’s clear from these numbers that we, as a nation, collectively favor incarceration rather than treatment for drug use.
Thankfully, the tide’s starting to shift. From current Drug Czar Michael Botticelli, a man in long-term recovery himself, and his impassioned call for treatment not jail to individual states expanding access to rehab – things are starting to look up.
The Case for Treatment
Sitting down and detailing why addiction treatment works better than jail seems almost like an exercise in futility. Those who believe it, believe it. Those who don’t, don’t.
Let’s go back to the Cameron Douglas’ case. It’s obvious this young man has a serious addiction and his time behind bars isn’t helping him move past that addiction. He needs treatment to discover where his addictive tendencies stem from and how to overcome them.
So, what are the facts about offering addicts various forms of help rather than locking them up? They go something like this:
- Community-based treatment costs around $20,000 less than incarceration per person per year (Justice Policy Institute)
- According to the Washington State Institute for Public Policy, every dollar spent on treatment yields over $18 in cost savings related to crime. Prison, on the other hand, yields only $.37 (Justice Policy Institute)
- Likewise, the cost to house someone in jail for one year in Maryland is $20,000. The cost of treatment is only $4,000 (Justice Policy Institute)
While the above statistics are focused on the monitory impact of treatment instead of jail, there’s just as much to be said for the positive impact on individuals.
One study found that around “a third of all deaths among men and half of all deaths among women who have been released from prison are due to drug and alcohol abuse” (Medical News Today).
Compare that with the 82% of New Jersey drug court graduates who are never arrested again.
Comparing deaths to arrests is like comparing apples to oranges. Still, it does show a clear pattern – treatment offers better results than incarceration.
Things aren’t going to change until we change. That’s been shown over and over. It’s conversations like these that spark that change. We only hope it isn’t too late.
What do you think? Let us know on social media!