Proposed Drug Rehab Policy Sparks Debate
Drug rehabilitation is one of several drug treatment options for those suffering from drug addiction – or even alcoholism or other substance abuse. Tough government policies often make getting treatment more difficult, especially if abusers are sent to jails with no rehab facilities or programs. Serving time may encourage people to think twice about using drugs, but for some who are seriously addicted, prison provides no cure to their addiction.
That’s why some states across the nation are revisiting the local drug laws to force drug rehab onto offenders, instead of putting them into prisons. California is in the midst of a new proposition, called the Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act (NORA). If passed, the Act will provide drug rehab services to people suffering from illegal drug addictions.
Not everyone thinks the policy will be successful. Actor Martin Sheen is reported by the Los Angeles Times to be against the proposition, because it affords drug abusers too many second chances without consequences. The topic is relevant and personal to Sheen – he has openly discussed his own struggle with alcoholism, and the difficulties his son Charlie Sheen has had with substance abuse. As someone who has experienced the negative aspects of alcohol and drug abuse, on his own life and the effects on his family, he has said it’s important to keep consequences into place – to stay tough on the issue of drugs.
Both points of view raise very good issues. Rehab can be forced on to someone, but unless the person wants to change, they won’t. If the Act passes, the state of California will need to have an excellent drug rehab program into place to ensure success.
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