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DrugScreening.org


 
McCain, Obama Differ in Emphasis on Drug Treatment, Law Enforcement
October 21, 2008

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News Summary

Republican presidential candidate John McCain favors drug policies that focus on tougher law enforcement while Democrat Barack Obama's approach is more oriented towards treatment, the Fort Wayne (Ind.) News-Sentinel reported Oct. 20.

McCain opposes imprisonment of first-time drug users and supports prisoner reentry programs, but also backs mandatory minimum sentences for drug dealers. "Illegal narcotics are a scourge that I have fought against my entire legislative career and I believe this fight must begin with prevention and enforcement," McCain wrote in response to a survey from the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

The Arizona senator also supports less judicial sentencing discretion, executing drug kingpins, and increasing drug interdiction on the Mexican border. "As president, I would continue these efforts to ensure that our nation's children are protected from the influence of illegal drugs and the drug peddlers are brought to justice for their crimes."

Obama focuses more on drug courts, needle-exchange programs and alternatives to incarceration for drug addicts. "I say to myself that if I had been growing up in low-income neighborhoods in Chicago, there is no reason to think that I wouldn't be in jail today, that I could have easily taken the wrong turn. That is something that I am very mindful of and it is something that motivates me," Obama said in David Mendell's book, "Obama: From Promise to Power."

McCain is a cancer survivor but opposes legalization of medical marijuana, which some cancer patients use to mitigate pain. Obama voted in favor of stricter sentences for marijuana possession while serving as an Illinois state senator. McCain opposes methadone treatment for heroin addicts, and Obama favored more funding to fight methamphetamine dealing.

The candidates are united in opposition to drug legalization.

Ken Fries, Indiana Allen County Sheriff appreciates that McCain is in favor of increasing spending on sheriff's departments to help federal agencies arrest and deport illegal immigrants. However, Fort Wayne Police Chief Rusty York is skeptical about the prospects of receiving financial support from the administration of either candidate. He aid the Bush administration overspent on homeland security and didn't put enough into local crime fighting.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Aubrey@stonehill on 04 Nov 08 08:41 AM EST
I think that treating the issue is the way to go. We need to get to the roots of why we live in such an addictive world. Just throwing people in jail for drug offenses doesnt teach them anything, we need to get treatment for these individuals even if it cost us taxpayers money. I beleive that it is a step in the right direction. These individuals need to be followed up on and kept on probationary terms. I 100% agree with Richard Goldbergs post, treating the addiction can restore life and hope, for the addict and there loved ones.

Posted by Erik@Stonehill on 02 Nov 08 10:48 PM EST
I believe that the next president, whomever it will be, needs to make many changes in regards to illegal drug use and addiction. It is common sense that more drug addiction leads to more drug use which leads to breaking the law which leads to over populated prisons and court rooms. I believe that treatment for addiction is a very important issue because it will ultimately lead to less drug use. In addition, I do not think that first time drug users should receive punishments that end them up in court or prison. People make mistakes...However, I do believe that there should be harsher penalties for people. The cycle will just continue unless these people are punished enough. I think McCain is on the right track with backing mandatory minimum sentences for drug dealers.

Posted by Erin G. @Stonehill College on 28 Oct 08 01:24 PM EDT
Given McCain's vehement stance against "illegal narcotics" and other drugs, it is surprising how adamant he is about using enforcement and punishment in order to fight the “drug war”. The only way that drug abuse and violence are to be dealt with is by treating the addiction--not by incarcerating the addict. This is where funding for prevention education and treatment become so important, and yet McCain does not seem to be focused on these objectives. McCain supports removing the drug peddlers and dealers from our borders and from our nation's streets, but this method does not address the heart of the issue--which is addiction. Dealers' livelihoods depend on addiction. If addiction is addressed and reduced through an increased focus on treatment and prevention, then we are helping to remove traffickers from our streets without spending thousands of dollars per inmate each year to keep these offenders in jail.

Posted by Henry Steinberger on 27 Oct 08 06:55 PM EDT
It's sad that both candidates must pander to the folks who want to keep all drugs, other than alcohol and tobacco (i.e. the most deadly) illegal. I'm hoping that Obama will be more open minded when he takes office.

Posted by Gerry on 27 Oct 08 03:19 PM EDT
I find it interesting that John McCain takes the firm position that he holds considering that fact that he and his wife make/made their vast fortune peddling a legal, toxic, and highly devastating drug - alcohol.

Posted by Terri on 27 Oct 08 02:29 PM EDT
I live in Kansas. The state has decreased treatment programsin part by turning over funding to Value Options for monitering. The programs that were working for parolees have been eliminated along with many jobs. Having a president that advocates treatment as an alternative to already crowded prisons would be awsome. maybe if the demand is lower the supply will be as well.I would be happy to be out of a job if the addiction rate in this county would decrease. As far as medical marijuana....i don't know. Chronic diseases maybe, decriminalizing yes. Why send a mellowed out pot head to prison..makes no sense, educate him on what he is really doing to his body, mind, and future and maybe he will get a clue, if not he is not costing the state well over $30,000 a year to keep in prison.

Posted by ashley on 27 Oct 08 02:17 PM EDT
it doesnt really matter who takes office on this issue. alcoholics and addicts are going to continue to drink and use. we need to focus more on treatment options and the availability of programs for when they are ready to get help.

Posted by Marcia on 27 Oct 08 01:08 PM EDT
I recently attended a conference where part of the focus was on the tools that law enforcement bring to the table to "guide" a person into treatment and to "motivate" them to stay there. (As we know, the longer a person stays sober in some sort of treatment and recovery program, the more likely they are to succeed in sobriety.) Legislation such as NORA that decouples substnace abuse from penalties removes all these important tools. Just emphasizing "treatment" is a strategy doomed to failure.

Posted by Frank James on 27 Oct 08 01:05 PM EDT
I don't believe that the government should be involved in peoples bad choices, Alcoholism, nor drug addiction has been definitive proven to be anything but human failure to control bad habits and why should tax payers bail them out for thier bad choices. How long are we going to continue to bail out one bad choice after another because people get themselves in these fixes and they should get themselves out. No more get out of jail free cards of the rehab clubs. Break the Law , Go to Jail. Stop crying and accept responsibilty for your own bad behavior and pay for your own treatment. America it's time to get the the bail out business, especially this one!

Posted by Richard Goldberg on 27 Oct 08 12:01 PM EDT
Money spent on drug use prevention in a country whose acted-upon values encourage intoxication and irresponsibility is money wasted. If, indeed, addiction is a disease, criminalizing addiction makes no sense. Monies spent to treat addiction restore life and hope to both those addicted and those who love and care about them. Not bad...

Posted by profBAM on 27 Oct 08 11:53 AM EDT
Whatever the two candidates have to say is meaningless because they have no money to work with. The states will be increasingly on their own to deal with these issues. That said, I believe substance abuse is a public health issue and should be dealt with as such. Emily Mauer says she is voting McCain because he is Pro-Life: he only made that stand when he decided to run for the GOP nomination, he was pro-individual rights before. In addition, please keep in mind that if you make abortion illegal the rate will go up not down as has been our experience with every other form of prohibition.

Posted by Caitlin W. @ Stonehill College on 23 Oct 08 05:02 PM EDT
I believe that whoever is president should focus more on drug treatment, than incarceration and prevention. I think that a more treatment oriented approach would help decrease drug abuse. The prisons are already overcrowded, and most inmates in them have some drug related issue. When they are released, they go right back to their old ways. A more treatment oriented approach can offer addicts effective ways to deal with their urges and craving and give them support and guidance on how to stay sober. Treatment also cost a lot less than prison. Obama is on the right path for supporting needle exchange programs, as this also helps decrease the spread of HIV. I hope that the next president will spend more time on treatment approaches to drug abuse.

Posted by mikeg@sc on 23 Oct 08 03:03 PM EDT
According to the original article: "More than half of all federal prisoners and about 20 percent of state prisoners were imprisoned on drug charges in 2006, according to Bureau of Justice statistics." According to Marc Mauer a prison reform advocate, 2/3 of federal tax payer money is going towards drug prevention and 1/3 to drug treatment. Wouldn't it make more sense to put more money towards treatment therefore decreasing the demand on the streets, and perhaps freeing up the prison system? McCain is focusing more on enforcement and incarceration, where as Obama is focusing on drug treatment and drug courts. It will be interesting to see how either candidate nominated to the presidency will address the issue.

Posted by Emily Maurer on 22 Oct 08 03:18 PM EDT
It sounds like both canidates support re entry programs, e.g. Drug Courts, treatment etc Get it togehter. Besides, I am still for Mc Cain re; Pro life and SAVING LIVES. I will take my conscoius to the Polls...

Posted by Robert Curley, News Editor, Join Together on 22 Oct 08 02:36 PM EDT
As summaries of previously published news articles, the stories on Join Together typically reflect the tone and tenor of the source material. In this case, the headline of the original Ft. Wayne News-Sentinel story read, "McCain Would Focus on Law Enforcement, While Obama Would Emphasize Treatment," so we are comfortable that our article reflects the source material accurately. Our articles are only intended to be a brief summation, which is why we always provide a link to the original article for those readers who wish to read further.

Posted by Bob on 22 Oct 08 12:48 PM EDT
What an embarassingly careless summary. According to this article, Obama "voted in favor of stricter sentences for marijuana possession" and "favored more funding to fight methamphetamine dealing." McCain "opposes imprisonment of first-time drug users," and "supports prisoner reentry programs." These statements contradict the summary. Re-read the article without the opening summary, and you will find that BOTH candidates focus on enforcement AND prevention and treatment. It's too bad we can't trust an important organization like Join Together to be objective in its "reporting." Oh, and if you read the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel article, you'll find a quote from a judge who oversees Allen County's drug court and prisoner re-entry program, saying "the Bush administration did a good job of supporting alternatives to incarceration and prisoner reintegration."

Posted by Gerrit DenHartog on 22 Oct 08 12:40 PM EDT
A more important question for the candidates: Do you consider FUNDING for prevention and treatment of substance use and addiction to be an esential investment in public health and safety, or is it non-essential and vulnerable to the first round of cuts in the federal budget?

Posted by Bernie Ellis on 22 Oct 08 09:34 AM EDT
We already have "medical heroin". It goes by a number of names, including oxycontin, Lortab, hydrocodone, oxycodone, etc. Like real heroin, these drugs are dangerous when misused (or even when not misused), causing hundreds of overdose deaths in Tennessee alone over the past several years. Compare that to cannabis, which has no known LD50. (If you don't know what that is, Google can be your friend.) Care to try again?

Posted by jrzshor on 22 Oct 08 09:22 AM EDT
wouldn't "medical heroin" be better?

Posted by Bernie Ellis on 22 Oct 08 08:53 AM EDT
Barack Obama has been very clear about his position toward medical cannabis: “I think the basic concept that using medical marijuana in the same way, with the same controls, as other drugs prescribed by doctors, I think that's entirely appropriate.” Senator Obama has given states a clear signal and it is incumbent that states prepare for his Presidency by developing fully integrated medical cannabis production/distribution systems that are sufficient to meet this challenge. I remain hopeful that New Mexico will lead the way in this regard.

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