A Different View of Society's Drug Problem.

Recently, the U.S. Conference of Mayors again declared that drugs are easier to get in prison than on the streets. Corrections professionals believe that such remarks, as well as their tone, cause problems rather than address the underlying issues. To point fingers at the men and women who have the difficult task of providing the care, custody and control of people charged with and/or convicted of crimes is not just counterproductive -- it is wrong.

The Conference of Mayors asserts that the majority of inmates enter the correctional system with drug problems. This is quite true. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, approximately two-thirds of the more than 2 million people incarcerated in this country have some type of substance abuse problem. What was not said was that these individuals come from communities -- such as those represented by the members of the Conference of Mayors. The offenders develop their drug problems in America's towns, cities and rural areas long before they enter correctional facilities.

If the leaders of state and local governments are truly concerned about our nation's drug problem, they should take the necessary steps, such as providing adequate funding, to address these issues on the front end. Prevention, starting with our children, is a far better investment than the mere warehousing of people through incarceration, which leads to nothing more than wasted lives and generally unproductive citizens. "Out of sight, out of mind" only works for so long, and the American Correctional Association (ACA) is pleased to see the Conference of Mayors call for jail and prison programs - something ACA has been advocating for more than 25 years.

Corrections professionals at all levels have been long-time supporters and are on record for better and more effective programming -- be it drug rehabilitation, education, job training or life skills. Those who serve these populations understand better and are more committed than anyone else to protecting the public while helping those in their charge return as more productive society members.

No group is more supportive of drug testing than corrections professionals. However, testing alone is not the solution. Testing without follow-up or treatment does little to actually address the problem. If the Conference of Mayors sincerely is concerned, it should support corrections' efforts to receive more funding for treatment options, drug rehabilitation, education, job training or life skills programs. At the same time, it should look at what it is doing in individual cities to address the issue of drug abuse in society. Is it committing the resources necessary to address the problem or just passing it on to someone else - in this case, the correctional system?

For too long, there has been the misconception that drugs are easy to obtain in prison. Someone once made this observation and it has taken on a life of its own. In fact, the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gen. Barry McCaffrey has promulgated this myth. It is not just a myth -- it is patently false. As corrections professionals, we ask the Conference of Mayors, the drug czar or anyone who believes this is true, to come forward and prove it. Those who know -- the men and women who run the nation's correctional system -- know better. For these officials to imply otherwise is an insult to the professionalism of the individuals who have dedicated their careers to enforcing the law. We certainly will not assert that drugs never enter prisons or jails, but to state what McCaffrey and the Conference of Mayors have is just as false.

The members of the Conference of Mayors should take the time to visit their local jails or nearby prisons. There they will find good people trying to do a good job -- often, with less than adequate resources. They also will find an environment that is far more drug-free than most neighborhoods or even schools.

James S. Turpin, CAE, is ACA's legislative liaison.

In conclusion, the Conference of Mayors would be better-served to end its criticism and to work with corrections professionals to find a solution that is effective and benefits society as a whole. We are all one community and we should address this issue together. We ask the Conference of Mayors to join us in an effort to promote public safety and incorporate meaningful and useful programs for America's 2 million incarcerated citizens.