Funds for Drug Rehab in Missouri To Be Spent on Computers

Missouri has a devastating drug scene. A survey revealed that 11% of 12 to 17-year-olds had taken illegal drugs within the month prior to the survey. For 18 to 25 year-olds, that figure jumped to 18%. The alcohol problem is nearly as bad - about one in ten people abuse or are dependent on alcohol. Nevertheless, state officials want to spend money earmarked for alcohol and drug rehab and other rehabilitation services for prisoners to buy computers.

If Missouri is anything like other states, only a small percentage of those who need alcohol or drug rehab actually get it. In the case of prisoners who have been arrested on drug-related offenses or who were drinking or taking drugs at the time of their arrest, this is a disaster. One of the only ways we have of closing the revolving door of our prison systems is by ensuring prisoners get through alcohol and drug rehab.

Since April 2006, more than $27.4 million has been collected for rehabilitation. Parolees pay the state $30 monthly while they're on parole. These fees are specifically for intervention services - services that will help people who were in prison get on the straight and narrow, including doing alcohol and drug rehab, so they won't wind up back in prison.

Nationwide, drug-related offenses account for approximately one-third of all arrests, according to the FBI. In Missouri, there are about 30,000 currently in prison and, as of 2005, two more people were going into prison every day. At that rate, the state would have to build a new prison every two years. The Corrections Department has an annual budget of $624 million.

Missouri has recently implemented changes in prison and sentencing policies that have actually reduced the number of people in prison. Although the improvement is marginal, Missouri is only one of eight states that have managed to accomplish this at all.

With progress like that, you would think state officials would want to do everything in their power to continue to make headway. A good Missouri drug rehab program, and treatment for alcohol abuse, is pivotal.