The Anger Blog-Drug Possession

A recent state senate bill was introduced in Colorado that would make drug possession a misdemeanor. At the present time, it is considered a felony in most states. The person convicted of a felony may not only serve time in prison, but will also be impacted in many other ways. It will affect, among other things, his employability, his right to vote, and the stigma that accompanies being labeled as a felon.

The addiction to drugs, whether it be prescription medications or illegal street drugs, should be treated as a disease. Most health organizations, as well as drug treatment programs have recognized this for many years. Isn't it time for lawmakers to keep abreast of current research findings? I'm not referring to dealers and traffickers, of course, as those activities should be considered serious crimes (felonies).

If drug users who are arrested were placed in treatment programs (instead of jails), not only would lives be spared (from continued use and/or overdoses), but considerable funds that now are spent on incarceration would be recouped as well. How many thousands of prisoners in this country are there only because they are addicted to drugs? Maybe some lawmakers would reconsider this penalty if other addictive substances that they may use, such as alcohol or tobacco products, were prohibited by law and would become a felony if found in their possession. How successful was the 18th Amendment?

Related reading on this subject: Substance abuse treatment with motivational interviewing.