Treatment vs. prison leads justice group's discussion

DOVER - Ways to rehabilitate drug abusers and prevent them from going to prison dominated discussion Thursday night during a criminal-justice reform group's convention at the Modern Maturity Center.

About 50 people attended the meeting of Stand Up for what is Right and Just (SURJ). The House of Pride in Dover, which treats drug and alcohol addicts, received much praise for rehabilitating people and helping them successfully re-enter society.

"Marian Harris and the House of Pride are on the right track," Sen. John C. Still III, R-Dover, said about the treatment center's executive director.

"We just need to give them more help. It is one thing to talk about treatment, it is another thing to fund it."

Robert Downer, a House of Pride staffer and former resident, said the program does good work but it often goes unnoticed. Unlike 28-day treatment programs, Mr. Downer said the House of Pride provides long-term treatment that better helps drug and alcohol addicts kick their habits.

"Human lives are very valuable," Mr. Downer said.

"Too many times we are willing to use a quick fix. This situation requires much more than a quick fix."

Rep. Bruce C. Ennis, D-Smyrna, a SURJ member, said legislators who support sentence-reform efforts are not soft on crime. Instead, he said, the lawmakers recognize that first-time drug offenders need treatment more than they need a mandatory prison sentence.

Rep. Ennis and Sen. Still supported House Bill 210 in this year's legislative session. The bill, which passed in June, eased mandatory minimum sentences for some drug possession crimes.

"I do not support drug abuse, but prison should be a place for people who are serious criminals," Rep. Ennis said.

"People who commit crimes should be punished, but there are alternatives for first-time drug offenders.

"We need to get them help, not throw them into jail for a long period of time."

Josh Templet, SURJ's deputy director, said in 2004 the organization plans to continue its efforts to reduce minimum mandatory sentences while also giving attention to helping released offenders re-enter society and treatment issues.

"If you don't receive the treatment you need, you will have a very hard time re-entering society," Mr. Templet said.