Jail and Junkies

I have been reading alot of posts lately regarding children/addicts who are jailed.

And, the parents all feel bad, which is understandable. Some feel relief. Some feel sad.

the one thing that is not easily understood however, is how/why the criminal justice system works,and doesn't work and why.

I hear alot of "why don't they have a program my addict can get into in jail?".

Well, the fact is they do have some programs, depending on what State the inmate is in. The problem is....

They don't work.

So you can be angry, and you can say, MY CHILD IS SICK, why don't you help them while they are locked up.

Because, it is NOT the State's problem to help your child. And, having tried for about 20 years, most State's simply don't bother. The recidivism rate is still the same, the addicts start using as soon as they get out, and nothing changes. THAT is what the statistics and programs have shown.

So the taxpayer's and those IN CHARGE, look at the budget and say, should we spend money we don't have on programs that are proven not to work? And they then say, Well no, that would be stupid as hell.

Of course, we all want our children clean. Of course we are all looking for that 'magic moment/program' that hit's our addicts right in the gut and makes them want sobriety. Of course, we all look to 'SOMEONE' to cure our child.

The problem is, none of those programs work long term. Some don't even work short term. The only program that WORKS is when the addict decides ON THEIR OWN to get clean.

And, I have to honestly tell you that in jail EVERY ADDICT WILL SWEAR that they LOVE being clean, love the clarity of mind that comes with sobriety...and are going to do every single thing possible to stay that way.

Until the day or two after they get out of jail anyway.

It's like a jailhouse Christianity conversion. The inmate is all about "I've been saved!!!" and then within a month of getting out, 90% of them have forgotten every single thing they allegedly wanted.

Nodding...I know, I know. It's really sad. And it really hurts too.

Even rehabs and other programs. It seems to us, when our child is in, and they achieve the state of not being drugged, that we have our child back. Then, they get out and for most of them, eventually, they relapse.

There just isn't any easy way to say this guys.

AN ADDICT WILL NOT BENEFIT FROM ANY PROGRAM THERE IS UNTIL THEY WANT SOBRIETY MORE THAN THEY WANT DRUGS

And, once an addict wants to get clean, really wants to get clean, they will. And there are lots of programs easily accessible to an addict to assist them.

That being said, the 'clean living' homes, the 'halfway houses' and all the programs that an addict is forced into, or has accessible to them by virtue of being in prison are a waste of time and effort. Though it will make the family feel better for them to be in one. That's the only benefit however.

Bottom line, your children are in jail because they broke the law. No, they are not child molesters. No they are not murderers. But they are still lawbreakers, and criminals.

I have heard parents say over and over, "I am so surprised that ****** isn't mad that they got more jail time..."

It's because THEY know they are criminals. It's the parents who don't realize it.

I reiterate.

AN ADDICT WILL NOT BENEFIT FROM ANY PROGRAM WHATSOEVER UNTIL THEY WANT SOBRIETY, TRULY WANT SOBRIETY. And all the love in the world won't hurry that up. Neither will state run programs, jail programs or forced rehabs.

Sorry.