Most of us have a “hot spot”. Some people become irate when they talk about animal abuse. For others, the topic of child abuse strikes a note of discord so powerful, they are moved to action. Still others battle for an end to hunger or homelessness or any number of other, worthy causes.
There are a few people who appear to move through life without becoming concerned or involved in any cause. I envy them a little. I try to pick my battles and limit my considerable energy to community issues, but occasionally, some egregious wrong captures my attention unexpectedly and lately that occurs ever more frequently.
The recent budget deliberations in Prince William County managed to set off one of those alarms when the DORM (Drug Offenders’ Rehabilitation Module) was cut. I’m not going to write a great deal about this program because a number of excellent writers have detailed the definition of the program, the cuts and the respected opinions of numerous individuals qualified to speak about the DORM. Jeremy Borden, of the Washington Post wrote one article on April 21 and followed with another on April 24. Bristow Beat gave the topic space on April 24, too. Potomac Local covered the cut to DORM on April 23 and insidenova addressed the same topic on April 23 online and in Prince William Today, as well.
If you’d like to watch the BOCS meeting from April 23 you can select the portions you want to view. If you watch Citizens’ Time, you’ll find numerous citizens who spoke on the value of the DORM program.
I’m not a soft touch when it comes to social programs. I always tell people I am willing to give to anyone who wants a hand up, but I am not at all sentimental about people who want a hand out.
I don’t have (mercifully) any tales from my youth to relate here. I’ve lost no family members to drug abuse. None of my friends lost their lives or became criminals as a result of drug use, yet I absolutely believe the DORM program to be an investment. There are ample statistics to prove the value of this program and demonstrate the ability to actually save money.
As a public safety program, it helps reduce the number of repeat offenders; therefore, less money is expended for the future process of arrest and court. So, never mind that we have an opportunity to help someone out of a viscous cycle of self-destruction. Forget that we may actually be preventing a crime or even saving a life. Don’t think about the drug user being someone’s son or daughter and don’t consider the offender may be a parent. Ignore the fact the offender may have once been a productive member of society or a veteran of a war who served his/her country. Just focus on the idea we may save money by reinstating DORM.
If this sounds like just my opinion, I suggest you read a little more. A great resource page describes the current status and offers numerous studies as evidence. The page opens with this eye-popping statement:
Between 1980 and 2006, the number of people incarcerated for drug offenses in state and federal prisons increased 1,412 percent from 23,900 to 361,276. There is little evidence to suggest that current harsh sentences or incarceration affect drug sales, deter drug use, or improve public safety; meanwhile, what we know works - community-based treatment and rehabilitation services - remain substantially underfunded.
While you’re at it, try a Google search with these parameters: “Crime Drug Arrests Prince William County” I’m pretty sure we’d better be doing something besides incarceration.
