DISPATCHES FROM THE WAR ON DRUGS

To the Editor:

Jimmy Carter reflects the recommendation of the Global Commission on
Drug Policy to "substitute treatment for imprisonment for people who
use drugs." The fly in the ointment is that addiction is a disease in
which the host rarely wants treatment.

A recent survey of Houston drug treatment centers revealed a 40
percent bed availability for drug treatment, modifying a famous
expression to "if you build it, they don't seem to come."

Often, terrible things have to happen to addicts to motivate them to
go to treatment, and the results of enforcement (and the threat of
imprisonment) are one of these things.

GERALD BUSCH

Houston, June 18, 2011