You cannot effectively combat the addiction issues without, in most cases, taking a "resocialization" approach for many of the incarcerated. In many cases, these individuals were "born into" dyfunction and they have never been properly habilitated, so the benefits of rehabilitation are minimized without the "Whole Person" effort...

Make Yoga meditation a central instruction for inmates receiving addiction treatment therapy, providing them with a deeper psychological level of control and freedom.

DOJ statistics will also tell us that outpatient treatment for drug addiction returns about $7 per dollar spent on the rehab... add the cost of incarceration of about $55,000 per year and the economy of treating drug addition through the penal code loses its luster... indeed, why do we take a public health.mental health issue and treat it as crime in the first place?

Treatment failure rates reflect our inability to meet and understand the unique cultural, social and behavior needs of different segments of our society. Many treatment providers have the notion that one treatment modality fits the needs of all; this is far from the truth. We have a complex, ever-growing society and social network with unique variables/challenges that influence its interactions and as such affect the outcome of our interventions. In my humble opinion, there are two (2) fundamental issues that time and time again are generally ignored and have a direct influence on treatment outcomes. They are adequate and appropriate cognitive therapy and lack of long term social support systems to help maintain sobriety, especially when we see relapses of 90 to 95% within a 5 to 10 year period.

In NC. we have a treatment system "The New Directions" model, which is a Cognitive/Behavorial model. Treatment ranges from residential 30 days (approx.5 hrs. per day. We conduct intensive treatment group sessions to challenge distorted belief systems, self-esteem issues, childhood conflicts, and "spirituality" among a few.We've also incorporated a clinical art therapy session and have seen wonderful results.

As usual this study, or the summary, omits mention of tobacco cigarettes. 50%? I remember a study years ago stating that 3/4 of all prisoners in NY state were cigarette addicts. John has it right: "born into dysfunction", i.e. very likely children of cigarette-smoking families.

(Re)-Educating our society on drug misuse needs to be the priority. Addiction is a health concern & not Law enforcement ‘s fear based portrayal being used to protect both their jobs and million dollar budgets. Instilled beliefs of these industries leaders (criminal, judicial, legal & corrections field) will be difficult to change. Fear based strategies will increase fueling their own interests; need for more cops, harsher penalties & longer sentencing, thus requiring more prisons & people to run and monitor these non-violent addicts The arm guarded revolving doors of injustice will continue to revolve unless we re-educate our society on the “Treatment over Incarceration” premise, second redirect the millions currently being used to fight the war on drugs to force early retirement and buy out the “old school” “baby boomers. Third, replace them with innovative, forward thinking gen xer’s. While challenging, we must continue to inform and demand change now cause gen yer’s now use with their parents thus eroding family & values and creating additional addicts. Today’s crisis will be tomorrow’s plague if we continue to treat addiction as a criminal activity.

Most clients I see are court ordered in some way. However, of those that have received any txmt in prison, most say it is minimal and doesn't give hope.

First to those who advocate not arresting people for addiction...... they are arrested for committing crimes not addiction. Without some accountability, there would be anarchy. Second, having seen thousands of addicted inmates over many years, I have concluded that, based on a good assessment, about 1/3 only committed a drug possession, distributoion, or related crime and could safely, much more effectively, and economically be treated in the community. Another group, in addition to being addicted, committed a serious crime. Many of those , based on a good assessment, could also be treated safely and economically in the community. Lastly, there is a smaller group that, although addicted, are also seriously impaired, psychopathic, or have chosen a criminal way of life and need to be treated in a secure facility.

While I believe more treatment should be offered what has not been brought up is that the programs are voluntary. Many inmate don't want to go to them until they are in trouble again then they say I never got any treatment.

We have a son in this predicament. He is bipolar with multiple abuse and has been in prison twice now with no substance abuse treatment even though he has sent a kite to be in a program. He asks for treatment but is unable to obtain it. As a family, we had to fight with the prison to get him medicated for his bipolar but unable to obtain treatment for his substance abuse. This problem WILL continue unless another solution is found.

Being an x-offender & addict I have been trying to start a transition house but am having tons of trouble with funding. There are seven correctional facilities in this county alone and not a single transitional facilty.I personally know the size of this problem and need help correcting it.

I understand that an addict must want to get help before they can start to get better. However, if they transformed some of our correctional institutions into inpatient substance abuse institutions, by keeping the prisoner locked up, but receiving the necessary treatment for both the addiction and the mental illness would be so much more cost effective overall. Our government needs to take a serious look at the terrible disease of addiction. They have seen what doesn't work, why not change the system to make it work!

A few often repeated myths to bust here: Firstly, you do not have to 'want to get help before you can get better'. Research has shown that 'stated' motivation at the start of rehab/treatment does not correlate with success rates and those that are poorly motivated initially or cforced into treatment often do better once they see others like themselves doing well in treatment - indeed, it is this that usually starts them on the road to their own recovery. Secondly, as a 'baby boomer' myself and running a highly successful addiction service in the UK, I have found the younger generation no more enlightened in this field than us old guys. Thirdly, 'education' is no way to fight addiction; it has singularly failed for decades. If you think people do not know the dangers of illegal drugs (prescription drug addiction education could be improved particulalrly for those over prescribing Doctors!)then I'm afraid you are going to fall into the same trap as most Drug/Alcohol/Addiction Government Agencies and Administrators. Early identification, prevention and effective ethical treatment particularly for those with a genetic connection to addiction is a simple way forward. 90% of those who come to my service ADMIT to a genetic connection to addiction and depression.