Narconon Of Georgia Supports Sentencing Reform
During tough economic times some states are taking a hard look this big budget item and some are doing something about it.

NORCROSS, GA, June 07, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Non-violent drug offenders are tough on state prison budgets and there is little return on the investment. There is little if any reform and offenders are released from prison without addiction treatment being provided. Not surprisingly, many of them return again to prison for drug related crimes. For some, the addiction problem worsens with each visit to prison. Each failure at reform in prison costs the taxpayers money.

During tough economic times some states are taking a hard look this big budget item and some are doing something about it.

For example, Texas cut the prison budget by two billion and put 241 million towards probation, parole and specialty courts programs. North Carolina is working to reduce prison costs by researching alternatives that are more effective and investing in those and South Carolina just approved a sentencing reform package that will save the state 400 million dollars over the next five years.
Georgia on the other hand is listed as the 12th most dangerous state in the country, yet ranks number one nationally in criminal punishment. An astonishingly high percentage of Georgia citizens are on probation, parole or in jail - one out of every thirteen.

The fact that Georgia ranks 12th in danger, yet number one in punishment is testament that we are punishing some of the wrong people. Roughly two thirds of those involved in the criminal system are non-violent offenders.

On June 4th the US Attorney General Eric H. Holder spoke to several thousand at a conference on drugs and crimes in Baltimore. Acknowledging the role of drug courts in rehabilitation he told the crowd, "At my Justice Department this is a top priority. You have proven that redemption and rehabilitation are possible.''

He went on to say, "I believe that we can put drug courts within reach of every person who needs them, and I am confident that we can.''

Mary Rieser, Director of Narconon of Georgia, stated, "The political message is changing to one that makes more sense for the addict, family and society. This country has spent one trillion dollars on the War on Drugs and the situation has only gotten worse through the years. Too much of this money has been spent on locking up non-violent offenders without result."

While the message brings more hope for the future, families of drug abusers cannot expect that there will be immediate change in the system. While the message is changing in Washington, more money of the national budget has been appropriated this year for the War on Drugs than previous years. Much of this money will be spent on prisons.

"It takes a while for reality to catch up with the talk in Washington. Meanwhile, there are 23 million drug abusers in this country." stated Mary Rieser. "Too many people are still suffering and dying. My advice to any family affected by addiction is to seek drug treatment for the addict immediately. Workable treatment saves lives and money in the long run. The costs for attorneys, extra medical needs and the drugs themselves diminish once the addict is sober. Money is saved and more importantly so is a life."

Press Release Contact Information:

Mary Rieser
Narconon Of Georgia
Director Of Promotion
5688 Peachtree Pkwy Ste B1
Norcross, GA
USA 30092
Voice: 877-413-3073
Website: Visit Our Website