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Data presented recently at an interim legislative committee hearing by Utah corrections officials is stunning. The information bears repeating, along with serious societal reflection.
Since 1988, the number people serving prison time in Utah on drug charges has risen a whopping 903 percent. In 1988, 16 percent of criminals went to prison for drug crimes, whereas last year, the figure was 43 percent.
And that, according to corrections officials, is the tip of the iceberg, since those drug offenders who end up in prison, generally are those with long criminal records. Most first and second offenders get minimal jail time or probation, or assignment to treatment programs.
The Corrections Department testimony underscores the horrible cost of drug abuse. It also raises important questions about how to deal with the debilitating scourge.
KSL is reminded of a statement made earlier this year by Governor Huntsman, "you cannot incarcerate your way out of this drug problem."
We agree, and reaffirm our belief that education, prevention and treatment are keys to slowing the insidious and costly scourge of drug abuse. It is why we encourage more adequate funding of drug courts and other successful programs that have demonstrated their healing value. Everything possible must be done to reverse the alarming proliferation of drug abuse.
