I am in complete agreement regarding the need for more alternatives to incarceration for addicts. Where is the research on whether incarceration helps the disease of addiction? Non violent addicts should not be incarcerated. I do not live in MASS. I live in fl. and strongly believe changes are needed here and in all states.

Ditto on those comments Pat I would like to see the media ask some challenging questions regarding the issue of addiction to the presidential candidates. How about it journalists??

i have a husband incarcerated for drug and alcohol abuse he asked for rehab and they denied it.what these people need is to be apart of society but still be controled not to do it maybe a haqlfway house or something. prison does nothing cause they cant get it and there not around it so they are not tempted. i am also from florida and this system sucks.prison is for murderers or rapist not people with an addiction lets help these people not hurt them

We need stronger leaders who stand up in outrage and harness all of their resources to fight this battle with the alcohol industry and license boards that give out licenses as if it a right of passage. I can't listen to another person say these people need to make better choices parents need to do better jobs . we now have in congress over 200 congressmen and women who are on the side of the alcohol industry that don't see any problem with voting on the side of the alcohol industry. We need a loud voice in our communities. I hope the Dukakis can bring this to light .The huge increased access to cheap alcohol has a role in all this, despite what the lobbist of the alcohol industry would have you believe. Opening new off-licence everyday in this country where supermarkets sometime sell alcohol for less than they charge for bottled water,it suggests we turn a blind eye to the awful consequences of alcohol abuse as long as the needs of commerce are satisfied. The common theme in all of this hand-wringing: conspicuous absence of political will to confront the escalating alcohol problem. we need to reduce availability, constrain advertising, increase prices of alcohol.

While I agree treatment is much needed, I also agree that there isn't enough spent on prevention. The only problem I have with "treatment" is why so often those who are locked up don't look for it before they commit the crimes that they are committing? I agree that I don't think I've seen either obama or mccain mention substance abuse or mental health treatment and that is a shame in itself.

Prevention needs to begin in preschool. My child had learning difficulties all his life, esp. social which lead to very low self worth. Back in early seventies it was not addressed to the extent it is now. he grew up to self medicate for the lack of social skills which leads to depression and addiction. More treatment is needed.

I am in total agreement. I have been trying to find out more about Narconon, and it's treatment. My 21 year old daughter is addicted to Meth and other pills. She has been to prison once already and is more than likely going back before the end of this year. All drug related.

Because of the justice system my son comitted suicide 5 yrs ago. He was a Heroin addict who needed help and the only help he got was a county jail cell. He was an intelligent, loving person who was sick and people treated him like he was a criminal. Since his death Ive spent thousands of hours educating myself on addiction. All the scientists conquet that addiction is a disease, why is NO ONE listening?? HURRAH for people like Kitty Dukakis

I'm a victim of the alternative's to prison. I spent 55 months incarcerated and for most programs I had to be put on a waiting list because they told me I had to much time and they needed to address the people who had less time to serve. I watched and for the most part some of those getting treatment before me was doing only to impress a judge for early release. I couldn't even get a program because as soon as I became eligible I was transferred to a minimum security facility and had to wait all over again.

Incarceration is not what addicts need. I have known people who were incarcerated for a marijuana charge(less than an oz) and come out of prison with a full-blown heroin addiction. Our privately owned prisons are not an environment conducive to treatment. And our prisons have not been about rehabilatation for a long time. I too would like to hear our presidental candidates discuss where they stand on these issues.Tucson,Az

My Niece at 24 yrs old 1st time offender and has never been in any trouble, was recently convicted to 15 years for a non violent conspiracy charge related to drug trafficing. She literally had the book thrown her. The laws allow murders and repeat ofenders to serve less time for violent crimes. The laws from the 80's need to be changed. Our plea's for help are being ignored, all that seems to matter to the governer of florida Ch. Crist is to fill up the prisons with as many non violent offenders as possible. Know wonder there are so many familys (Victims) with children of suicide. Please change the laws. Note there was an artical on both President clinton and obama rergarding the fact they both used drugs(Marijuana). how were they rewarded. by becoming the leaders of our country. Wow!!!!!! what's wrong with this picture.

Years ago,I was incarcerated for delivery of a controlled substance.Although I was there for punishment,I begged for treatment before I was released.I wrote to every single politician I could find,and finally I managed to get ONE response that said that they would help me.I DID get help,and I went on to live a drug-free life and later returned to college to get my degree for a Substance Abuse Counselor. For the person above who asked why someone didn't get help for themselves before they commit a crime, you must not be aware of the cost of treatment or the difficulty to find funding that is needed.(no disrespect intended) There truly is no money available for treatment,and as far as simply going to NA meetings,it is next to impossible for a true addict to be able to change their life just by going to meetings, no matter what you've heard. And remember,the best time to try and help an addict is when they hit their "bottom",which for many is incarceration. If we all don't start helping others, then all we will have is more crime...and more death.I also believe that addicts would be the ultimate spokespeople as well as counselors for those wanting help.Thanks for listening! Rozi