TREATMENT COULD END REVOLVING JAIL DOOR

Behind the astounding arrest statistics kept by the Lincoln Police
Department is the sad story of a subculture caught in the revolving door of
the criminal justice system. The plight of some of the repeat offenders
demonstrates the need for the community to continue to support and improve
services for those suffering from substance abuse and mental illness.

More than 186 people in Lincoln have 100 or more arrests or citations since
1981, according to a Sunday Lincoln Journal Star story. Among those with
multiple arrests are substance abusers and the mentally ill. They are the
people who might be saved, unlike the career criminals who also make up the
group of repeat offenders, criminal justice officials said.

Economic downturns, budget cutbacks and legislative policy changes have
resulted in reduced treatment services, leaving substance abusers and the
mentally ill with no place to go -- except city streets, where police are
left to deal with them. Several repeat offenders have had in excess of 200
run-ins.

But the matter should be treated as a community health issue, not a law
enforcement problem. "Lawmakers too often fail to address underlying
issues, and leave police to address the mess," said Allen Curtis, Nebraska
Crime Commission executive director.

As a community, Lincoln has an obligation to see that the substance abusers
and mentally ill receive the help they need. It's not only a moral
responsibility, but a financial one as well. Every time a person is
arrested, taxpayers pay for some combination of police, prosecutors, public
defenders, county services and medical costs. Intervention could save
thousands of dollars -- and lives, too.

Treatment programs are expensive, but officials argue that taxpayers could
save in the long run by paying now. Chronic abusers cost more to treat. And
the recent demand for methamphetamine in the Capital City may further drain
already limited treatment services.

Police often express frustration at having to deal with the same people
time and again -- especially those who refuse help. But the city needs to
make sure treatment is available, and that the people who need assistance
know about those services.

One of those who refused help but finally was "saved" is Vernie Bird Head,
whose turnaround is a strong message that hope is possible in what seems to
be a hopeless situation.

Bird Head -- who had been arrested or cited more than 200 times since 1981
- -- quit drinking in 1998, after 13 unsuccessful attempts at Cornhusker
Place Inc. He now runs Thursday night meetings for recovering alcoholics,
and is an inspiration for others. His story highlights the importance of
treatment services and demonstrates how the community benefits.