Many people may be unaware that over two millions United States citizens occupy the federal and state prisons and local jails. Another shocking truth is that a large majority of those incarcerated are drug users, most notably addicted to methamphetamines. What is not shocking, in fact, is considered common knowledge, is that those who have been to jail have an exceptionaltendency to be incarcerated again, sometimes on several occasions, or eventually transferred to prison. The public has recognized this problem and many believethe government needs to use different methods, as the former appears to be ineffective. While the consequences of committing crimes should be a punishment, not a cushiony rehabilitation center, jail often exacerbates problems with inmates addicted to drugs.

One of the most frequent complaints citizens have for law enforcement is why criminals are allowed to go free, notwithstanding the crime he or she has committed against society. There are many explanations, but the clearest reason for releasing offenders prior to their court hearing is due to the ridiculously high correctional facility populations. Recidivism, which is defined as succumbing to prior criminal behavior, is currently at an all time high. According to Gaines and Miller, over two million people populate the jails and prisons in the United States, surpassing any other country in the world. Four million more adults are given an early release as an answer to the overcrowding issue, and the rate continues to climb 3% every year. (2006) However, prison officials are more concerned with housing criminals who are charged with the worst crimes, so that means petty thefts, drug pushers, and probation and parole violators are inevitably given freedom early. This can create a multitude of problems, and often makes the surrounding communities suffer because of it. Since crime statistics show no positive decline, one would have to wonder if harsh sentences are indeed effective as a deterrent to crime. "Since 1980," states the author of Criminal Justice in Action: The Core "the rate of incarceration for drug arrests in the United States has risen 1,000 percent, and there are more Americans in prison or jail for drug offenses today than there were for all offenses in the early 1970s." Many states are favoring the use of stiffer penalties as opposed to "curing" inmates with treatment, because some believe that rehabilitation is not working. What they are not considering is that methamphetamines are "contributing to rising treatment admissions for methamphetamine is a very high recidivism rate among individuals seeking treatment for abuse of the drug." (National Drug Intelligence Center, 2006)

Instead of focusing on using long-term jail time as a solution to a growing problem, the government needs to reevaluate why crime rates are soaring, and why jails and prisons are so packed full of offenders that they have to release small-level criminals. One of the best-known reasons for increasing crime and jail overpopulation is the growing trend in methamphetamine abuse. One statistic shows that nearly 70% of inmates currently incarcerated have been charged with a drug-related crime, mostly because of "meth." In California, recidivism rates are causing the state to nearly spend more on jailing offenders than on higher education. Treatment is clearly something that needs to be considered. (Newman, 2007)

A study performed in 1999 with 478 inmates at a prison by San Diego, California showed in the course of three years, 27% of the inmates that participated in the drug treatment program returned to custody, whereas 75% returned without rehabilitation. (De Miranda, 2007)

Methamphetamine addiction rarely made public news a decade ago, but over the years, the public and law enforcement agencies have been exasperated by the escalating numbers of addicts, the consequences of long-termuse, and the blatant neglect that follows. The National Drug Information Center states that while methamphetamine use appears to be relatively stable, treatment for the addiction has "more than doubled since 2000." (2008)

The powerful narcotic has its roots in the late nineteenth century and was used for many different medical ailments through the 1900's, from treating obesity to depression. (2007) Throughout the course of this century, use spread drastically, both medically and non-medically. Not until the 1990's did the Drug Enforcement Agency realize that this was becoming a widespread problem. Along with the startling rise in addiction, was the rise in crime, jail and prison inhabitants, and child abuse and neglect. Nowadays, meth has become a popular illegal drug, used intravenously or smoked, among others, and draws in all types of people from all walks of life. Truck drivers, teenage delinquents, college students, and even mothers give in to the difficult narcotic addiction. (2007) They use it to lose weight when dieting is notworking fast enough, to focus better, and overcome sleep. Meth users will use all sorts of techniques to get the desirable sensation: "ingestion, inhalation (nasal and smoking) and intravenous injection." (Vocci &Appel, 2007)

Meth can become addictive immediately after the first use, and the affect the drug has on its users is captivating. People will ignore anything and everything important to have it. The drug decays teeth and causes the skin to become irritated, but the addict will ignore these growing problems because if he or she were to put his or her mind to this truth, he or she would be forced to face the harsh reality. Not only is the mouth affected by meth, but also the body becomes frail and emaciated from lack of nutrients. The user is simply incapable of recognizing his or her condition, and in fact, the drug alters the perception so that he or she cannot see how horrible the crisis has become. The drug user's body is not the only neglected aspect in the addict's life, but families, households and careers suffer as they take a backseat to the drug. Dishes and laundry go untouched, children endure periods of starvation and their needs fail to be met, and work goes neglected or deteriorates quickly. (2007) The meth abuser will drain their money sources and will stoop to selling off their once prized possessions to have more of it.

Children and families are by far the most affected by addiction and incarceration, and foster homes are just as overflowing as correctional facilities. Once authorities catch a mother or father in the midst of a severe meth addiction either by possessing or selling the drug, or committing a crime in order to get more, the children of these addicts are removed from their homes and thrust into new, strange ones. They have to go through the court system just as their parents must, and live with the knowledge that their parent or parents are locked up.

Foster homes are normally a cleaner and safer alternative to the abuse and neglect the children endure in their own homes, but there are not enough homes and enough funds to support the growing need. (2007) Children in foster homes understandably have many challenges to overcome, but since their parents have neglected their duties and have given their focus to meth, these innocent victims act out. Foster parents must give muchattention to them. This can be a daunting task; since childrenhave a tendency to have psychological problems, among others, they must endure numerous changes while waiting for their parent or parents to return to them. The frequent change in residence is hectic to even the most stable of adults. Children crave routine and a familiar schedule, so moving around constantly to unusual foster homes creates a sense of insecurity, and anger and trust issues result. Unfortunately, men and women in jail, addicted to drugs with their children in foster care have grim chance to get their children back, since many addicts end up relapsing and recidivating many times before recovering fully. Children reuniting with parents continue to be what the state of Oregon is striving for: "There's a 60% target," says Karen Wheeler, as the current rate is only at 49.3%. (Wheeler, 2007)

A study was performed by a group in the California State University San Marcos, called the Prisoner Re-Entry Employment Program (PREP) that showed immensesuccesses with inmates who received specialized treatment while incarcerated. John de Miranda states, "The study found that ex-offenders who graduated from the PREP program were significantly less likely to return to prison (recidivate) than ex-offenders who did not participate in PREP." (De Miranda, 2007)

A drug addict and a child waiting for his or her parent will have a tough time succeeding without rehabilitation. There are citizens who believe that harsh sentences, like the "three strikes" law in many states, are too severe and do not give parents and children a fair chance. Statistics show that inmates have a far better success rate when treated in and/or out of custody. Drug courts are a popular choice for men and women who have been charged with relatively minor crimes. This offers those who truly want to change their lives an opportunity to regain a sense of normalcy when meth has destroyed it. Not only does a drug court give the addict an offer to seek treatment instead of a lengthy sentence, but their families are allowed to attend meetings, so that their fractured relationships have a chance to heal much earlier than if they had not. Karen Wheeler of the Oregon Department of Human Services is quoted as saying that treatment services will "be training people on motivational interviewing, stages of change, and recovery over the lifespan, with the focus on recovery and child safety." (Wheeler, 2007)

Opposing sides state that drug courts do not work; treatment instead of jail does not fix any of the problems that addicts have, and in fact,gives offenders an "easy road." Drug courts are offering "sunny" ideals of treatment that may be giving the offender the wrong indication of what to expect. (2008) Those who do not agree that rehabilitation should replace jail sentences believe that inmates use this opportunity to their advantage. The drug abusers who enter into treatment do not have the extensive addictions of a seasoned user. The "beds" that should be reserved for those who truly need it are not able to get it; they desire this "in order to avoid otherwise certain grim fates." This is clearly a problem, since many addicts are relying on this possibility to return to what they truly desire to be. (Bowers, 2008)

Crime rates are at an alarming level and methamphetamine addiction, while just one aspect of the entire scenario, are a growing crisis that law officials are realizing is a hard problem to suppress. Jails are crammed with petty criminals with drug habits, who feel at a loss, and the government is beginning to recognize this. If the judicial system concentrates less on punishing the criminal and more on figuring out a way to fix the problem, there is a possibility that crime rates will drop, drug addiction will be treated, and overpopulation will no longer be such a serious issue.

References:

Appel, N. M. &Vocci, F. J. (2007, April). Approaches to the Development of Medications For the Treatment of Methamphetamine Dependence. Supplement, Vol. 102, p96-106, 11. Retrieved from EBSCOHost.

Bowers, J. (2008, April). Contraindicated Drug Courts. UCLA Law Review, Vol. 55 Issue 4, p783-835, 53p, 1 chart. Retrieved from EBSCOHost.

De Miranda, J. (2007, December 3). Successful Prisoner Reentry: San Diego's Second Chance. Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly, Vol. 19 Issue 45, p5-5, 0p. Retrieved from EBSCOHost.

Gaines, L. & Miller, R. L. (2006). Criminal Justice in Action: The Core (3^rd Ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomas/Wadsworth. ISBN: 0-495-00305-4.

National Drug Intelligence Center. (2006, January). National Drug Threat Assessment 2006. Retrieved from http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs11/18862/meth.htm.

Newman, N. (2007, June 21). Prison Crowding Makes States Look to Rehabilitation. California Progress Report. Retrieved from http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2007/06/post_39.html.

Wheeler, K. (2007, July 30). Oregon Addictions Treatment Grows by $14 Million. Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly, Vol. 19 Issue 29, p3-4, 2p. Retrieved from EBSCSOHost.