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| High-ranking Vermont Cop, Corrections Official Speak on Drugs |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 09/30/2002 |
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Vermont's growing drug problem can only be addressed if addicts are given treatment and major dealers long jail terms, two leaders in the state's drug wars say. The two-pronged approach is being recommended both by Capt. James Baker of the Vermont State Police and John G. Perry, director of planning for the Vermont Department of Corrections. In separate interviews with the Bennington Banner this past week, the two men painted similar pictures of the needs of the state when it comes to fighting hard drugs. ''What we're seeing in the last two years statewide is an increase in the number of drug-related offenses and drug crime. Clearly that's a new phenomenon for Vermont, particularly as it relates to heroin and crack cocaine,'' Perry said. Both men said the most alarming aspect of the problem is seeing significant numbers of young Vermonters seriously addicted to heroin, coupled with the fact that Vermont simply doesn't have the treatment resources that many states have. Both men also said jail does nothing to help drug addicts. For addicts, including people selling just enough heroin to support their habits, the answer is treatment. ''Treatment works, jail doesn't,'' Perry said. Baker, commander of the Vermont State Police in Bennington, Rutland and Addison counties, said he's disappointed that a report generated by Gov. Howard Dean's heroin task force last fall, recommending treatment facilities in Vermont, appears to be gathering dust in Montpelier. Treatment is expensive, but jail is even more expensive, and the only thing accomplished by putting addicts in jail is increasing the jail population, Perry said. ''They all come home,'' he added. Vermont needs to understand what California and New York have already learned - that putting the emphasis on treatment will reduce the jail population and improve the addiction problem, provided addicts are held accountable through strong follow-up programs, Perry said. Treatment centers would likely be run by existing health care facilities, such as hospitals and mental health clinics, Perry said. In the larger community, the emphasis should be on finding out why young people are using heroin. |
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