South of the Border
Mexican border drug abuse problem: drug treatment vs jail time

ROSWELL, GA, August 31, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Mexican border towns have long been a destination for college kids looking for adventure. Now for some, the adventure may include getting high legally, thanks to a Mexican law. The new drug law eliminates jail time for possession of small amounts of drugs and it has some United States citizens worried that Mexico will become attractive to even more kids as a fun vacation spot.

In an Associated Press (AP) news article U.S. law enforcement officials are reportedly stunned as the new law takes effect allowing Mexican citizens to possess small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD and methamphetamine. The legalization of substances which carry the consequence of drug addiction is what many are having a problem with.

In the AP news story San Diego Police Chief William Lansdown says. "For a country that has experienced thousands of deaths from warring drug cartels for many years, it defies logic why they would pass a law that will clearly encourage drug use."

Not everyone agrees that decriminalizing drug use is a bad move, Don Thornhill, a retired Drug Enforcement Administration supervisor who investigated Mexican cartels for 25 years, said Mexico's rampant drug violence will likely deter most U.S. drug users, and the new law will allow Mexican police to focus on "the bigger fish."

Mexico also has a provision for substance abuse treatment in lieu of jail. Officers are required to suggest drug treatment as an alternative to jail time, and drug treatment is required for third time offenders.

Mary Rieser Director of an Addiction treatment facility in Georgia stated; "While Narconon does not promote making drug abuse legal, we do need a happy medium where small time users are not locked up without an opportunity for treatment. The move by Mexico to focus on substance abuse treatment and not jail time is definitely a step in the right direction. Studies have shown that drug addicts respond much better to drug treatment than to jail time."

Mary Rieser is the Director of Narconon of Georgia a drug treatment and education facility in Georgia. Narconon of Georgia has continually called for alternatives to incarceration and holds a yearly rally in downtown Atlanta during red ribbon week in order to increase public awareness about drug abuse and the lack of effective solutions in society.

It is clear that any move to decriminalize drug addiction must be met with a increased consideration for drug treatment programs. The new law in Mexico attempts this but does not provide funding for drug treatment, so even if officers are required to suggest treatment it is doubtful that offenders will ever receive treatment.

Press Release Contact Information:

Gordon Weinand
Narconon of Georgia
Manager Public Relations
5688 Peachtree Parkway Ste B-1
Roswell, Georgia
USA 30092
Voice: 877-413-3073
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