| Addiction is a compulsive craving for drugs, | | | | problem, but the stringent laws have not |
| which is uncontrollable and leads an | | | | worked, as drug usage continues to |
| individual to the point of doing anything, | | | | escalate.Federal prisons have around two |
| whether it is stealing, committing murder or | | | | million inmates with a large percentage of |
| whatever it takes to be able to access | | | | this number convicted of drug abuse crimes. |
| drugs.These drug cravings push people to do | | | | These prisons are already overcrowded, so |
| things they would not normally do. Their | | | | imprisoning drug addicts only adds to the |
| life becomes focused on how to get the drugs | | | | population count. If all drug offenders were |
| and how to keep their drug supply continually | | | | imprisoned, as there are many who are called |
| replenished. All types of crimes are | | | | recreational drug users and these people |
| committed by people simply trying to get | | | | usually are never arrested, the cost to the |
| drugs.Residential property theft is high due | | | | country would be astronomical. The estimated |
| to drug addiction. The addict will steal | | | | cost of putting one drug offender in prison |
| anything they can, such as TV sets, | | | | is around $450,000. That figure includes the |
| microwaves, VCRs, anything that can be turned | | | | arrest, cost of the trial and cost to house |
| into quick money in order to buy their drugs. | | | | an inmate. If that $450,000 were used for |
| They even resort to stealing from family and | | | | rehabilitation costs, about 200 people could |
| friends. Drugs are expensive to buy, so it | | | | receive treatment.By treating drug addiction |
| takes a constant flow of cash to supply their | | | | as an illness and requiring the individual to |
| addiction.The argument goes on as to whether | | | | undergo treatment, this would save society |
| drug addiction is an illness or a crime and | | | | from those who are released from prison, who |
| whether addicts should be punished or | | | | go back to the streets and resume their |
| treatment given them to rehabilitate. Since | | | | former life of abusing drugs and committing |
| 1914, after the Harrison Act was passed | | | | crimes. This system only creates a danger |
| through Congress making it illegal to buy | | | | for other citizens who are subjected to being |
| drugs, drug abuse has not slowed down, only | | | | victims of their crimes.The argument for |
| risen to the point where there are more | | | | rehabilitation over punishment does show good |
| addicts today than ever before. In addition, | | | | merit and possibly needs to be seriously |
| there have been several other laws passed | | | | considered. It is estimated that |
| both on the federal, state and local level | | | | approximately 20% of drug addicts in prison |
| making drugs illegal, but laws have not | | | | could be rehabilitated positively through |
| deterred drug usage.Mandatory prison | | | | proper treatment.At the same time, though, |
| sentences have been implemented to cover | | | | any addict who does commit a serious crime |
| first time offenders and also any who offend | | | | should be imprisoned to receive punishment |
| for the second, third time or more. It was | | | | for that crime. No one is advocating anyone |
| felt that by having tougher penalties in | | | | should 'skate free', after committing a |
| place for offenders this would deter the drug | | | | serious crime. |