Because of mandatory sentencing laws, drug offenders now represent more than 60 percent of federal prisoners. U.S. drug policy has historically been influenced by elected officials and police, driven by sensational news stories of drug lords and predatory dealers. But beyond the headlines is the core problem of millions of ordinary people, with no connection to the crime world, who are caught up in abuse and addiction. As police know, if this medical problem can be reduced, the drug dealers at the top would be strangled by the shrinking market. Although serious and violent offenders must be dealt with by the law, the vast majority of substance abusers and addicts threaten only themselves.
Recovery is more likely if effective treatment is available.
Physicians, as well as many police officials, believe that a far greater percentage should go to treatment. In response to this need, a group of 37 nationally known doctors, Physician Leadership on National Drug Policy, is taking an unprecedented step. Others include the editors of the preeminent medical journals Science, The New England Journal of Medicine and The Journal of the American Medical Association. It concluded that drug addiction treatment is at least as effective as treatment for hypertension, asthma and diabetes. The societal stigma surrounding drug problems must be reduced so those needing care will seek it, those providing care will be encouraged to do so and health care programs will reimburse the costs.