Confronting the Myths Certain myths maintain a strong hold on many policy makers, and hinder the provision of effective treatment. Among them are the following.
Treatment is soft on criminals.
Providing offenders with substance abuse treatment services amounts to leniency in punishment. Offering the offender treatment services undercuts the punishment goals of a sentence. Treatment is a privilege that offenders do not warrant because of their involvement in crime. Because substance abuse treatment is a specialized service that addresses underlying behaviors, it can not be offered effectively in punishment environments. At a minimum, services offered in these environments will be compromised None of these myths holds up under scrutiny.