Action: Drug Treatment is Essential

Tell the Oregonian You Agree that Drug Treatment is Essential

The Oregonian editorial on Tuesday “Good luck with that drug addiction – Oregon is whacking away at drug and alcohol treatment, and crime, child neglect and homelessness are sure to rise”  really hits the nail on the head when it describes Oregon’s approach to substance abuse treatment and incarceration. The editorial points out that we are too ready to give out mandatory sentences and that the Governor’s proposed 2009-2011 budget guts drug and alcohol treatment programs.

The Oregonian, the public and your legislators need to hear that you believe Oregon needs to invest in drug and alcohol treatment! Please read this email and then write a short letter to the editors at the Oregonian. (If you want to write a letter, but want some help with it, call us and we’ll help out!)

Oregon ranks 45th nationally for funded treatment access per capita. And Oregon spends a greater portion of our general fund budget on prisons than any other state! Oregon should be ashamed! The Oregon Department of Human Services estimates that untreated substance abuse costs us nearly $6 billion a year in health care, lost earnings, law enforcement, criminal justice and social welfare.

This editorial provides an important opportunity for us to highlight the need for Oregon to invest in community-based drug and alcohol treatment. The editorial mentions that the treatment promised by Measure 57 is now being abandoned. Let the Oregonian and the public know that we want to see drug and alcohol treatment funded!

Key points to consider in writing your letter:
 

• The Oregonian really got it right in the “Good luck with that drug addiction” editorial, especially stating sarcastically that “…in this state…nothing ails a person that a mandatory 60 months in a state prison cannot fix. That’s why Oregon spends about the same amount on prisons as it does on higher education...”
• Oregon must invest in community-based drug and alcohol treatment, which saves lives, families and our communities.
• If you or someone you know and love successfully completed drug or alcohol treatment, mention this in your letter.

Won’t you please take a moment and write a letter today? Here are some basic tips that will help get your letter published:
 

• Letters will only get published if they are short and concise. No more than 150 words.
• Keep it to one main idea.
• Be sure to cite the story you are responding to (the April 7 editorial “Good luck with that drug addiction”…). It is important for them to know what you are responding to.
• Introduce something personal or a key fact (As the parent of someone with an addiction…).
• Close with a strong statement.
• Sign your letter and be sure to include your phone number and address. Without contact info they will not publish your letter. (The Oregonian won’t publish your phone number or address.)

Email your letter to: letters@news.oregonian.com.

Please email us a copy of your letter to denise@safetyandjustice.org. Remember, even if your letter doesn't get published, submitting a letter lets the Oregonian know that criminal justice issues are important.

Thank you for all you do as a member of our Action Alert Network!