Why. Do. People. End. Up. In. Jail. Seriously this one is beyond my comprehension - they need treatment, not jails filled with hardened criminals, rapists and probably more (and nastier) drugs than on the street.
These types of policies should be data and analysis questions, not based on politics and world view. Some of them inarguably work better than others.
We need to exit the theater of unfounded opinion when it comes to these things. It's not useful.
I do recognize that cops are just "trying to help", and that no one cares about social workers. Cops are in an advantaged position in the USA because they are relatively well respected by most mainstream members of the population. So the fact that they want to help is good.
But Cops aren't given the right training to deal with medical problems or other problems (ie: Fire hazards. In theory, cops could be the ones to inspect Fire Hazards in buildings, but realistically, its better for Firemen to do it).
There are lots of social work jobs in America. A big problem, a seriously big one... is that we expect Cops to do any job. Erm... no. Have drug specialists deal with the drug problem. Cops really shouldn't shoulder the burden of everything in the country.
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Cops should focus on the distribution of drugs. Not on the users of the drugs. The users need treatment, mental treatment that cops do not have the abilities to give.
These drug abusers need nurses and social workers to check up on them every few hours. Not cops.
We should have figured this out years ago. This won't be the last article we see like this.
Which is why cops should continue to focus on the violent distributors of drugs. But social workers and hospital workers should step up their responsibility and start treating drug abusers better.
Or perhaps, more programs need to be made so that hospital workers / social workers are paid to fix this drug problem.
Hint: throwing drug USERS in jail, where they only get more underground connections and better learn to become a criminal, will start a cycle where they have to end up in jail again. Jail is just about the worst place you can put a person.
What is: the most profitable outcome you can hope for when your prison system is privately owned?
Citation needed.
Watch the video here: https://twitter.com/ProfLAppleby/status/917838820682489858?s...
The initial claim was 'usually turn violent', compared to your 'relatively good predictor of violent behaviour'.
I've known quite a few people with drug dependency problems and very, very few of them were violent.
So, citation still needed.
Why not give them free medical grade heroin, in a safe environment?
* Keeps them off the streets. * They no longer need to resort to crime to fund their addictions. * Besides their appointed time to get their dose, they can lead relatively normal productive lives.
It will save $$$$ and also keep money out of pockets of organised crime.
win:win in my book
I’m suspect of your claim that the majority of addicts seek treatment, since I’ve not seen any data on seeking cessation. Maybe you know of some other data showing that most addicts seek treatment that includes cessation. However, according to surveys by CDC and national survey on drug use and health 23 million Americans have a substance addiction and 3 million seek treatment. Approx 1 in 6 adults has some form of substance abuse problem. There is nowhere near that number seeking treatment.
Switzerland gives their most hopeless heroin addicts free heroin, and a safe place to use it. [0]
A friend's son was expelled from his US high school for dealing heroin - this was probably 12 years ago. Addicts have to advertise to their friends to be able to afford their habit.
[0] http://www.citizensopposingprohibition.org/resources/swiss-h...
https://www.thecommononline.org/decriminalization-a-love-sto...
On the other hand... Norway has some of the nicest prisons in the world. Worth checking out prisons in Norway if you never heard of how nice they are.
The country with the best drug policy is Portugal which quietly decriminalized all personal amounts and they have one of the lowest OD rate now
A middle ground would be a good solution IMO - some kind of jail-esque treatment center or set wings in existing jails just for drug users where they undergo some sort of treatment/detox program. I daresay in a lot of cases, voluntary treatment isn't going to work, and I suspect a lot of treatment centers out there now are nowhere near as secure as a jail.
Being tough on victimless crimes is absurd.
It's truly very black and white.
In a game of "tough on crime"-oneupmanship, when you can't get any tougher you make up new crimes to beat the other guy.
Ask the politicians that own large stakes in (or have ties to) corporate-operated prisons, and you'll find your answer.