Editor,

Imagine trying to swim in a pit of quicksand. That’s what it is like for drug convicted felons stepping back into society after years of incarceration. These individuals are often labeled as the black sheep of their family, employers may be less likely to hire them, especially in regards to professional jobs, and they are less likely to be eligible for housing and food benefits. Treatment programs should be put into place to prevent the likelihood of past offenders reoffending due to their unfortunate circumstances.

Two reasons to support preventive drug treatment programs for convicted felons are (1) so that the individual can receive the necessary assistance that will allow them to feel a sense of hope, resulting in their likelihood to take part in legal functions of society, and (2) because the cost of re-imprisoning an individual costs more taxpayer money than it would to provide them with benefits to help them succeed.

A common argument against drug treatment options as opposed to incarceration is that implementing these programs would be too expensive. According to The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College, for every $1 spent on treatment Maine alone would save $3.30 from incarcerating an individual. Another common argument is that the individuals who receive benefits take advantage of them. However, there is a lifetime limit of 5 years for TANF in most states to ensure that individuals cannot take advantage of the system, allowing others who are in more need of assistance to gain it.

The United States is not limited on its resources. Rather, funding is being distributed unevenly in the wrong places. It is our government’s job to protect its citizens by ensuring the safety and well-being for each and every individual. By implementing programs for drug offenders to reintegrate back into society with the proper assistance, we can ensure their success in legally contributing to society upon initial release, allowing them to get the care and treatment they need, while still being cost efficient.

Danielle Martin

East Waterboro