AHS Views

If you have any doubts about whether or not your kid’s drug addiction or abuse could lead them to a life of crime, take a look at the latest figures in the new drug court study:  There are 1.5 million people in jail for non-violent drug-related crime - they’re the ones that may be eligible for drug court. And most of them will be back on drugs when they get out, and most of them will wind up back in prison. All the more reason to get them the drug addiction help they need now.

According to the study, it would cost the U.S. $14 billion to set up a nation-wide drug court system so people who commit these crimes can get addiction help instead of going to prison. That’s a lot of money, but it would save $46 billion - 85% of which is currently spent on repeat offenses.

Many more than 1.5 million lives are ruined with drugs, these are just the people who commit crimes - and get caught. And many of those crimes are committed just to get their hands on the drugs they need.

Being on drugs is dangerous enough to ensure people get addiction help services fast. The possibility of getting involved in crime and going to prison, possibly over and over again, makes the situation all the more urgent.