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WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO TREAT THE OPIOID EPEDEMIC, WITH PRISIONS OR WITH TREATMENT?
In the 1980s when it came to crack cocaine. The sentiment from the politicians were to build more prisons and longer drugs
sentences. “Just say no to drugs” was a popular saying back then. Thanks in part to former first lady Nancy Regan. “The War on
Drugs” was a popular slogan used by politicians to sell to the American people, to look as though they were actually doing
something on the drug problems.

According to the Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics;

“ Ohio’s opioid epidemic continued to evolve in 2016 to stronger drugs, driving an increase in unintentional overdose deaths. The data shows a
significant increase in overdose deaths involving the opioid fentanyl, the emergence of more powerful fentanyl related drugs like carfentanil,
and indication that cocaine was used with fentanyl and other opiates. The data also shows some promising progress-the fewest unintentional
overdose deaths involving prescription opioids since 2009.

Our local newspaper, The Columbus Dispatch, reported this grim headline fact in 2016:

Ohio leads nation in overdose death

Posted Nov 29, 2016 at 12:01 AM Updated Nov 29, 2016 at 4:20 PM
In a grim, statistics that surprise no one close to the problems, Ohio lead the nation in opioid overdose death, a new report shows. Along with
the overall category, Ohio also had the most death related to heroin. One in 9 heroin death across the U.S. happened in Oho. The Buckeye State
also recorded the most death from synthetic opioids: About 1 in 14 U.S. deaths. In all categories, Ohio easily surpassed states with larger
populations. According to state-by-state statistics compiled by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 2,106 opioid overdoses were reported in
Ohio in 2014, which was 7.4 percent of the 28,647 deaths reported nationwide that year. California ranked second with 2,024 deaths and New
York was third with 1,739.

Our local politician reactions, was as follow: according to the Dayton Daily News:

By Jessica Wehrman, Washington Bureau Updated Aug. 10,2017

Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, who spent Thursday morning at a Chillicothe treatment
facility and who last year successfully pushed for a comprehensive bill to address the
problem, praised Trump for declaring the epidemic a national emergency.

“There is no doubt that this heroin and prescription drug epidemic is a crisis affecting
our entire country, and I applaud the president for his decision to declare it a national
emergency,” he said.

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said he hopes the designation will spur the administration
to work quickly to address the epidemic.

“Communities across Ohio don’t need a declaration to tell them the opioid crisis is an
emergency,” he said.

Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, called it a “good step to provide potentially life-saving
relief to the millions of Americans suffering from this crisis.”
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My opinion has always been to lock them up and throw away the key. They got what they deserve by
choosing to choose drug. They sold their soul to the devil by choosing drugs over their friends and family. My
opinion changed when my local priest at my church made me volunteer at their local soup kitchen and
showed me “hooker row”, the local streets where the hookers walk late at night. Our priest showed me the
consequent of these drugs and how they affect the children of these women. Most of the people who visit
the soup kitchen looking for food and help are women and children. That’s the reason my priest recommend
I read the following article written by Dr. Thomas G. Kimball, at this wed site. You can read the full article
here: ( ttps://thisismap.com/insights/map-blog/we-cant-punish-our-way-out-addiction-epidemic)

According to Dr. Thomas G. Kimball, PHD:

“Despite being the place where the “War on Drugs” started, the U.S. continues to have some of the highest drug use rate in the world. By most

every reasonable measure (e.g., finances, drug trafficking, drug use) the “War on Drugs” has been a complete and utter failure. We, as a

society, must do better and must find new and creative way to address the addiction epidemic and our current crisis-moving away from the

ineffective incarceration of individuals who suffer from the chronic disease of addiction. We can’t punish our way out of the addiction epidemic

and indication that cocaine was used with fentanyl and other opiates. Incarceration does not reduce drug use. The annual cost of incarceration

for a federal inmate was estimated at $36,299.25 in 2017 and the number will only climb. State annual incarceration amounts can be much

higher. This financial cost does not account for the familial and societal cost of non-violent drug offenders who are capable of being treated and

rehabilitated taken away from families and away from the workforce. More support, less punishment. During this time of increased awareness

regarding the addiction epidemic as well as the opioid crisis, we are beginning to understand where our tax dollars really should be spent. This

is particularly relevant for those who commit non-violent drug offenses who need treatment and extended support. What is particular

important to note is that those who suffer from opioid use disorder may need specialize considerations. Any such model developed to help in

this crisis should offer extended recovery supports where program participants are connected with long-term recovery incentives, such as

employment and education. Moving toward a focus on more rehabilitation efforts and away from increased incarceration and punitive

measures will not only improve outcomes for those suffering from addiction but also improve society as a whole by creating more productive

people in the process.”

According to CNN reporter Drew Kann article,(https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/28/us/mass-incarceration-

five-key-facts/index.html) approximately $80 billion is still spent each year on corrections facilities alone,
according to a Prison Policy Initiative report, dwarfing the $68 billion discretionary budget of the Department
of Educations. This is the same thing my priest told me about how much we spend on prison instead of
education. The politician that I mention above want it both ways. They know that building more prison is a
money-making venture, that create more jobs. But the amount of death each year from opioid addiction is a
national disgrace. They sound as though they are on board with the thinking of Dr. Kimball, but will they
follow through with “More support, Less punishment” that the doctor mention? Only time will tell.
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Jérôme Sessini Youngstown, in the Mahoning valley, is a post-industrial city that fell into decline in
the 1970s. Youngstown, Ohio. March 10, 2018. © Jérôme Sessini | Magnum Photos
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September 5, 2018 Thomas G. Kimball, PhD

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According to CNN reporter Drew Kann article,(https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/28/us/mass-incarceration-

five-key-facts/index.html) approximately $80 billion is still spent each year on corrections facilities alone,
according to a Prison Policy Initiative report, dwarfing the $68 billion discretionary budget of the Department
of Educations. This is the same thing my priest told me about how much we spend on prison instead of
education.

September 5, 2018 Thomas G. Kimball, PhD

m addiction but also improve society as a whole by creating more productive people in the
process
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national-crisis/

Incarceration does not reduce drug use

Not only is incarceration not effective in reducing drug use but the financial cost is Despite
being the place where the “War on Drugs” started, the U.S. continues to have some of the
highest drug use rates in the world.[2] By most every reasonable measure (e.g., finances,
drug trafficking, drug use) the “War on Drugs” has been a complete and utter failure. We,
as a society, must do better and must find new and creative ways to address the addiction
epidemic and our current crisis—moving away from the ineffective incarceration of
individuals who suffer from the chronic disease of addiction.

extraordinary. The annual cost of incarceration for a federal inmate was estimated at
$36,299.25 in 2017 and the number only climbs.[3] State annual incarceration amounts can
be much higher. This financial cost does not account for the familial and societal costs of
non-violent drug offenders who are capable of being treated and rehabilitated taken away
from families and away from the workforce.

Improving long-term outcomes for those who suffer from addiction is of paramount
importance. The intersection between the judicial system and treatment is critical to this
effort. Historically, both the substance abuse treatment field and the judicial system have
focused on a reduction of substance use. This focus on the short-term does little to make
the recovery journey attractive over a lifetime.

More Support, Less Punishment

During this time of increased awareness regarding the addiction epidemic as well as the
opioid crisis, we are beginning to understand where our tax dollars really should be spent.
This is particularly relevant for those who commit non-violent drug offenses who need
treatment and extended support.

What is particularly important to note is that those who suffer from opioid use disorder may
need specialized considerations. Any such model developed to help in this crisis should offer
extended recovery supports where program participants are connected with long-term
recovery incentives, such as employment and education. Moving toward a focus on more
rehabilitation efforts and away from increased incarceration and punitive measures will not
only improve outcomes for those suffering fros.
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national-crisis/
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