Robbing Peter to pay Paul

Last night while I was reading I overheard stories from a guy in my dorm who spent some time in a mental hospital. He was sharing his tales as if they were glory stories, but they really just confirmed what I had suspected - a severe lack of adequate mental facilities.

I read an article in the Wall Street Journal a couple of weeks ago that lamented the shift of treatment for the mentally ill away from state hospitals. The author, Dr. E. Fuller Torrey, notes studies stating that 10% of homicides are committed by seriously mentally ill people (not a huge surprise) and that the majority of inmates in the country suffer from mental illness.

"In fact, there are now more individuals with a serious mental illness in state prisons than in state mental hospitals," he reckons.

The shift in treatment certainly can't account entirely for the rapid growth of the prison system on its own, but the healthcare system should be taking a look at itself to see how to keep more people living productive lives on the outside instead of locking them away without treatment. It is alarming how many times I see inmates say or do completely illogical things. Maybe drugs have fried their brains, but I still think they deserve better care and help to become the best citizens possible.


This just in: The following is a letter written to USA Today newspaper, July 22, 2008.



Texas Rangers Josh Hamilton is the new golden boy of baseball. Hamilton's record-breaking performance in Major League Baseball's All-Star Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium last week is a living testament to the fact that people who struggled with drugs in the past can change their lives in a positive way. ("It's not just a comeback for Hamilton," From the Press Box, Sports, July 15, USA Today)

A few years ago, Hamilton, who developed an addiction to alcohol and drugs, was at a low point in his life when he was suspended from baseball for nearly two seasons. Instead of giving into the downward spiral of drug addiction, he made an effort to turn around his life. After eight stints in rehab, Hamilton was finally able to kick his addiction and return to baseball. Although he didn't win the Home Run Derby crown, battling and defeating the monster of addiction makes him a winner.

Hamilton didn't have to deal with his demons behind bars. Instead, his addiction was treated as a medical problem, which helped him get his life back on track. .Hamilton's story sends a powerful message to society. Drug addicts can become productive citizens, if given the chance.

But Hamilton's case is the exception, not the rule. We need to give individuals who are struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol the treatment they need instead of a jail cell.

Maybe then we can give other would-be stars a second chance to make good on their potential.


Anthony Papa
Communications Specialist
Drug Policy Alliance
New York