This is the principle behind a very successful state drug court program that is operating in Salt Lake City. Drug addicted individuals are given the opportunity of participating in education and treatment programs, but they know that if they fail to successfully participate and complete such programs, the hammer of the criminal law sanction is hanging over their heads. The reality is that such an approach is often necessary to keep addicted people away from drugs long enough for them to overcome their problems. Sadly, we regularly see repeat drug offenders in the criminal justice system. Mere incapacitation through incarceration only temporarily solves the problem.
Recidivism rates are extremely high upon release from prison.
Drug addicted individuals often quickly return to drug use and find themselves back in the revolving door of the criminal justice system. Treatment and rehabilitation programs could significantly help in breaking this tragic cycle of drug abuse. At the same time, I must caution that there are those in our country who are simply looking at the drug trade as a lucrative business. For those individuals, lengthy prison sentences still make good sense. Please keep in mind that most criminal investigative and prosecutive resources in our nation go to the supply side of our country s drug problem.