Attacking the Drug/Crime Link

With new studies showing that half of all substance abusers have been arrested at some point for crimes ranging from burglary and auto theft to assault and murder, the link between drugs and crime is clearer than ever.

Incredibly, most law enforcement officials let these captive audiences go without so much as a sermon on the dangers of illegal drugs. The California prison system, for instance, can provide intensive substance abuse treatment and education to only about 3,000 of the estimated 120,000 inmates with substance abuse problems.

On Tuesday, President Clinton proposed doubling federal spending for rehabilitating prisoners with drug problems. Congress should strongly support the president’s initiative, for data show that proven substance abuse programs in prison significantly reduce recidivism rates and thus crime overall.

The trick comes in ensuring that federal dollars flow to the most effective use. A 1978 study showing that many of California’s substance abuse programs were ineffective led legislators to shut down inept and effective programs alike. The new head of the state Youth and Adult Correctional Agency, Robert Presley, should take a balanced approach, directing dollars to where they can do the most good.

One model should be the Amity program at Donovan, a medium-security state prison east of San Diego. According to a 1997 federal study, only 16% of inmates who completed Donovan’s program were rearrested within one year of their release, as opposed to 65% of Donovan inmates who did not participate. The program works because it demands that prisoners attend hours of drug rehabilitation treatment each day and that they submit to intensive drug testing and counseling when they are on parole.

A link between crime and drugs is unassailable. Last year, the Legislature set aside $10 million for prison-based substance abuse programs. If Congress embraces Clinton’s proposal to distribute $120 million for similar programs nationwide, California will gain even more resources. The challenge will be to maximize the benefits.