The true purpose of the prison system can often become convoluted, especially in the
case of drug offenders. Instead of serving to reform and rehabilitate drug offenders, the
American prison system has chosen to instead simply punish drug offenders. This approach is
not only an ineffective use of resources but also an unsuccessful method of rehabilitating those
who struggle with drug abuse. It Is appalling that we can continue to punish these people and
offer them no practical path to take for reformation and rehabilitation.
To make myself clear, I am not arguing against their incarceration. These people did,
without a doubt, break the law. It was absolutely appropriate for them to serve a jail sentence.
However, knowing that fifty percent of the prisons at the federal level are serving time for drug
offenses (Drug War Facts, 2014), we must ask ourselves if we our allocating our resources in the
most effective way. With the cost of incarcerating an inmate for one year being, on average,
$31,286 (Center on Sentencing and Corrections, 2012)we must ask ourselves, if not for anything
else, if there is a more effective way of dealing with this issue.
Besides the gross amount of money this issue is costing the United States, we must also
realize that the people who commit drug offenses are not a lost cause. It is easy for many of us
not to think about this problem. Many will ask themselves, “Why should we try to help these
people? They’re criminals.” Too often we are content with putting the problem in prison rather
than attempting to correct the problem. If seventy-six percent of drug offenders will commit
another crime (National Institute of Justice, 2014), it is obvious that going to prison does not
discourage drug use. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse finds that sixtyfive percent of inmates meet the medical criteria for drug addiction but only eleven percent are
being treated (CASAColumbia, 2010). This number is staggering, especially knowing the nature
of drug addiction. Many believe that addiction is simply a weakness in personal character, but I
witnessed my uncle, a man who lived to make people laugh, be destroyed by his addiction to
heroin. It is not a choice to become addicted to drugs. My uncle committed himself to getting
clean. He wanted to shake himself free from the clutches of the drug that was destroying his life.
However, it isn’t that easy. Seeing my uncle’s struggle with drugs allows me sympathize with
drug offenders. Although some may refuse help, I am certain that even more want to be in
control of their own lives again. Drug addiction is a chemical dependence that needs to be treated
medically. In addition to medical treatment, prisoners need a plan to fight their addiction. Instead
of allocating resources to incarcerating a drug offender for multiple years, money could be put
forth into creating a program to effectively rehabilitate drug offenders. Not only will this
program help individuals reclaim their lives, it will be a more effective use of the United States’
resources.
I realize that this is not a problem that many people are concerned about. However, I
want everyone, even prisoners, have the opportunity to overcome their addictions. It is very
encouraging to see that my own state of Arizona offers a rehabilitation program. However, only
800 prisoners are enrolled in this program (Wasu, 2015). I believe that many more prisoners
should have access to this program. To make this happen, I will inquire further about the nature
of the program through the Arizona Department of Corrections. Solving this problem will not be
easy, but we cannot continue to let our opinions of prisoners damage their opportunity for a
better life.
Works Cited
CASAColumbia. (2010, February 26). NEW CASA* REPORT FINDS: 65% OF ALL U.S.
INMATES MEET MEDICAL CRITERIA FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE ADDICTION, ONLY
11% RECEIVE ANY TREATMENT. Retrieved from Ending Addiction Changes
Everything: http://www.casacolumbia.org/newsroom/press-releases/2010-behind-bars-II
Center on Sentencing and Corrections. (2012, July 20). The Price of Prisons. Retrieved from
Legistlative Analysist's Office.
Drug War Facts. (2014, September 14). People Sentenced For Drug Offenses In The US
Correctional System - See more at:
http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/Prisons_and_Drugs#sthash.4fDzmOtq.K8Twbwku.dpu
f. Retrieved from drugwarfacts.org:
http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/Prisons_and_Drugs#sthash.4fDzmOtq.K8Twbwku.dpb
s
National Institute of Justice. (2014, June 17). Recidivism. Retrieved from National Institute of
Justice: http://www.nij.gov/topics/corrections/recidivism/pages/welcome.aspx
Wasu, S. (2015, February 2). Prison substance abuse program saving lives. Retrieved from
Arizona Department of Corrections: https://corrections.az.gov/article/prison-substanceabuse-program-saving-lives