Drug Rehabilitation Over Prison Sentencing

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

This project is focused on determining if rehabilitation is better for drug offenders who suffer from addiction than sending them strictly to prison. History confirms that the criminal justice system is more concerned with punishing those with addiction to illicit drugs (e.g., drug offenders with addictions as opposed to drug traffickers) through prison sentences rather than helping to treat the root cause of people’s addiction to illicit drugs. Dr. Gabor Mate’s research tells us to ask, “Why the pain?” instead of “Why the addiction?” When you understand the root cause of the problem (addiction) you can begin rehabilitation and reduce the likelihood of addiction and drug abuse. Rehabilitation is focused on helping those addicted to drugs to get at the root of their trauma to understand their need to numb the pain and also works to help them find positive coping mechanisms instead of using drugs. Rehabilitation also works to provide basic needs of those with addictions while teaching basic life skills that will help them in the future. Under the rehabilitation model, those with addictions may be less likely to reoffend than those who are sent to prison without any rehabilitation.

Authors

• Grace Davis, Dalton State College

• Natalie Johnson, Dalton State College