AHS Views

Should addicts who commit crimes as a result of drug addiction get their prison sentence reduced if they successfully complete a drug rehab program?

I read an article today about a man who robbed 11 restaurants, a liquor store and a convenience store to get money for drugs. While awaiting sentencing, he got into a drug rehab program and, so far, appears to have handled his addiction. As a result, the judge reduced his seven-year sentence to five.

The judge noted that this is the first time in the man’s adult life that he’s been clean and that “his efforts should be encouraged as being the best means of protecting the public.”

The success of drug courts in the U.S. has proven his point. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration quotes about 80% of addicts commit crimes directly related to their drug addiction. If the criminal gets help with his addiction through a successful drug rehab program, he’s likely to stay out of prison permanently.