To the editor:
Re “The sentence in prison that saved my friend’s life“By Nicholas Christoph (column, February 9):
My father is fighting habit throughout my childhood. Once I was 15, I referred to as the cops on him when he was tall and chaotic. They got here, informed my father to relax and go away. The door closed; I felt empty – nothing was resolved. There was nowhere to show. I by no means wished to name the cops, however I used to be determined.
The identical evening confirmed me what our disaster response system is lacking: behavioral well being employees outfitted to reply at occasions like these, and dependable lengthy -term help connections. When the pal of G -n Christoph Drew sought jail for remedy, he was determined for assist. The jail simply turned out to be the choice in entrance of him.
This illustrates how a lot out of attain is the remedy of habit, with lengthy ready lists, excessive prices, poor circumstances and inadequate suppliers.
In prisons and prisons, medication are nonetheless out there, efficient remedy is uncommon and overdose is noticed. Folks may also stand up and get out of jail, ending again on the road with out important care or help. Save is just not an answer when it additionally harms and kills individuals. If we agree that those that are fighting habit need assistance, then our focus must be on the remedy is obtainable – rapidly and upon request.
Brian Pacheko
New York
The author is the managing director of communications for Alliance for Drug PolicyS
To the editor:
The Nicholas Christoph column begins with a faulty and dangerous prerequisite, however nonetheless acknowledges what continues to be wanted urgently, based mostly on evidence-based drug remedy upon request.
It’s worrying that G -n Christoph emphasizes his pal’s voluntary arrest to recommend that the prison justice system is a helpful method for remedy. For many years, drug remedy has been shaped by mandates by the courts and regulation enforcement, a relic of the struggle towards medication, which establishes the imprint of mass imprisonment on black communities on this nation.
There isn’t a scientific proof that obligatory remedy works. Would not it’s higher pressing to construct the remedy system itself that the Christoph calls – locally – as an alternative of forcing individuals in it by means of imprisonment?
The summoning for arrest and imprisonment as a method for remedy is dangerously near the previous. With The death of an overdose falling sustainable Final yr, we’re simply beginning to witness the change we wish to see.
Let’s proceed to make progress in public well being with compassion. We began to speculate solely on a scale in these approaches and that works.
Dahlia. And
New York
The author is Vice President at Important Methods, a worldwide public well being group.
To the editor:
The Nicholas Cristoff column emphasised most of the difficulties confronted with the addicts in receiving remedy of drug abuse. I’d add one other: legal guidelines that stop individuals from provision Behavioral well being care based mostly on their previous prison recordsdata.
Virginia, for instance, has a lifetime ban on greater than 100 prison offenses. In consequence, nearly 1000 candidates, who’re thought-about certified by rehabilitation facilities and different employers, are nonetheless prohibited for greater than 20 years of age. In Texas, a brand new lifelong ban is forcing social employees due to the 2000 sentences who should not even definitely worth the jail.
Many individuals who’ve overcome habit and crime discover their work in life to assist others do the identical. But, these legal guidelines that intention to guard the general public to irony of destiny so broadly that they cut back the quantity of care out there.
Cristoff referred to as for bilateral reform. Left and proper can agree that the federal government shouldn’t cease individuals from supporting themselves – and their communities – as a consequence of non -elevated prison data.
Andrew Ward
Alexandria, Will.
The author is a senior lawyer on the Institute of Justice.
To the editor:
Grief and powerlessness are the weights of twins, worn by those that have misplaced a few of the overdose – a grief for the individual we cherished, powerlessness within the methods that failed them. Crossing the social gathering strains, this bilateral negligence has turned habit right into a political battlefield, whereas greater than one million People have fatally overdose since 2000.
Nicholas Christoph is correct to name for extra remedy and prevention. Nonetheless, suggesting that the decriminalization of the drug was the engine of the uplifting overdoses in Oregon, he was introduced over research displaying that the actual wrongdoer was fentanylS
If we are not looking for individuals to smoke fontanyl publicly, we have to spend money on secure consumption sites-bosses based mostly on proof saves life and Increases public safetyS In the meantime, the repackage of unsuccessful drug insurance policies solely ensures that we’re repeating the errors that introduced us right here.
If we wish to finish this disaster, we should cease sticking to the failures of the previous and begin investing in what really saves life.
Riley Sullivan
Chapel Hill, NC
To the editor:
I admire the story of Nicholas Christoph for Drew’s journey to restoration and I’m glad to see that his story ends with a constructive notice.
Regardless of the completely happy ending, the story emphasizes the darkish actuality – for 1000’s of People like Drew, it’s simpler to deal with habit behind bars than in their very own communities. Going to jail is just not what saved Drew’s life; Have the chance to search for remedy whereas it’s imprisoned is.
Drew was lucky sufficient to land in jail, which supplied remedy based mostly on proof. When prisons and prisons present medicines to violate using opioids, the chance of die of overdose within the first month after launch decreases by 85 p.c. However on a nationwide scale, solely 12 p.c of prisons and prisons supply these medication. The outcome? Individuals are launched into more and more poisonous unlawful drug supply and are at excessive threat of overdose.
Drew didn’t should lose his freedom to have entry to remedy. The care he receives should be out there in each group throughout the nation. Jail-based habit is a essential intervention that may save lives from overdose-but this must be our final resort, not our solely choice.
Libby Jones
Washington
The author is this system director of the initiative to forestall an overdose on the international incubator for advocacy for well being.
