[Drug Treatment Programs]
"Drug Treatment Gets a Boost," New York Times, December 13, 1999, Sec A, page 32.

General Barry McCaffrey, the Clinton administration drug czar, encouraged state and local officials to put more money into drug treatment programs for inmates. Of the 1.8 million people in the prison system nationwide, 400,000 are addicts or chronic drug users. Research shows that the recidivism rate declines significantly among those who undergo treatment before, during or after their incarceration. Treating drug use behind bars would help to alleviate overcrowding by reducing the number of repeat offenders.

McCaffrey also used these statistics to claim that moving away from jail time for minor drug offences would save taxpayer money over the long run. Treating offenders, rather than jailing them, would also reduce the number of repeat offenders.

• What effects might the lack of programs like this one have on recidivism rates for inmates with drug addictions?
• Is the additional cost for such programs justified by the benefit? Why or why not?