[beebuster2000]

another example of unintended consequences for another bad lib idea. and we bear the cost.

[traderrob6]

Straight out of the "No Sh!%" files

[EagleUSA]

Yes, the mindless liberals, with another one of their "feel good" ideas, have demonstrated their total disconnect with reality in an attempt to minimize their hand-wringing over feelings of drug addicts.

Liberalism remains a disease of the mind.

[goldstategop]

Half of those given a second chance turn their lives around. The rest are just too stupid to stay out of trouble. You can't save every one. We're still saving some however, and that's no small thing.

[BureaucratusMaximus]

Drug offenders steered into treatment programs instead of jail under provisions set by Proposition 36 in 2000 were more likely to be rearrested for drug-related crimes than defendants who went through non-Prop. 36 treatments, according to a study released today.

Gee whiz...that took me about 1.2 seconds and a sip of $0.99 coffee to figure out. Just think of all the money I could have saved the government!

[randog]

His findings show recidivism rates for Prop. 36 participants were even worse (65 percent more) when compared with the noncriminal cases of people who entered treatment voluntarily, or without the involvement of the criminal justice system.

Anyone in AA or NA could have told you that. It's no secret that drug/alcohol abusers that get the "judge nudge" are likely to get back into their old habits. The hospital programs are even worse--only about 10% of patients that go through those programs are clean/sober in a year. It just boils down to one simple principle: you're not going to get clean/sober if you don't want to.

[MikefromOhio]

From a few of my old high school friends, they said that drug treatment just showed them how to hide it better....that was about it....

[SSG USA]

Aw come on, cut 'em a break!!!

We really should not be so hard on the drug addicts. After all, their addiction is a disease you know, and it is not their fault that they are dopers. It is the Big Bad Republican's fault. They want everyone to go out and get a job and become useful parts of society instead of parasites. Imagine that, have you ever heard of a more preposterous thing?!!! For some people this is just too much pressure. They fold under the pressure, turn to drugs and become addicts. It's plain ol' not their fault!!!

The new Democrapic motto should be "It's not your fault, blame it all on the evil satanic Conservatives"

[glaseatr]

As someone who has almost 10yrs of sobriety I consider that this program a success. It took me several years of prep work, going in and out of programs, until it finally stuck. IMHO this program is turning semi-productive people into real productive people.

And in this case has increased the number of die-hard conservatives in our nation by 2.

[claudiustg]

---"There were limitations to the study," said Farabee. "It wasn't designed to measure what's happened beyond the first six months. All we know is that there was a difference in arrest rates."---

All six months will tell you is that people who have been to jail are more frightened about going back than people that haven't been to jail. If you want to know if the rehab is working you've got to look at least a year and a half down the line, and I would like to see data after three years. I can tell you that the portion of addicts that recover is painfully small.

[television is just wrong]

Put all illicit drugs on prescription. Then wean these guys slowly.

[joesnuffy]

What are you gonna base secular drug programs on...where is the power to stay sober to change lives..?

[robertpaulsen]

"About 36 percent of drug offenders referred to treatment instead of prison under California's Proposition 36 aren't in treatment programs, according to preliminary figures released Tuesday by supporters of the 2000 initiative."
-- Associated Press, April 9, 2002

The program was screwed up from the beginning, and went downhill from there.

[Raycpa]

False conclusion. Its more likely repeat offenders are sent for drug treatment than general population.

[Know your rights]

Drug offenders steered into treatment programs instead of jail under provisions set by Proposition 36 in 2000 were more likely to be rearrested for drug-related crimes than defendants who went through non-Prop. 36 treatments

Duh. Treatment has no effect on non-addicts, and many "drug offenders" are not addicted. I have an effective program: if they haven't violated anyone's rights, leave them alone.