March 26, 2004
Boundary County Prosecutor Jack Douglas spent $10 to attend a seminar titled “Essence of Addiction” in Spokane March 19, and the things he learned from presenter Dr. S. Alex Stalcup, a noted expert on addiction issues, he said, will help him prosecute drug cases and reinforces the need to implement a local drug court.
“It was a good investment in time, effort and money,” Douglas said.
Around 350 law enforcement and health care officials from around the region attended the event, and what they learned shattered some misconceptions about substance addiction.
Dr. Stalcup was one of nine scientists granted federal funding in 1985 to study addiction to the then-burgeoning drug, methamphetamine. What he learned, he said, shattered even his own preconceived notions.
According to Dr. Stalcup, only 37% of meth users who try to lose their addiction stay clean for six months … and that is a better percentage than those who try to give up nicotine. Stalcup admitted that early on he did not believe that addiction was a disease, but rather that it was an excuse. His work over the years with countless addicts, he said, has shown him otherwise.
Douglas said Dr. Stalcup’s presentation helped explain as to the destructive things people will do even though they know full well what the outcome of their substance use will be.
“We’ve always shook our heads in disbelief at some of the behavior of addicts,” Douglas said. “It never makes much sense when you watch an addict or alcoholic continue down the path of destruction, yet so many of them seem to do precisely that. Dealing with the problem is heart-breaking.”
Dr. Stalcup told those in the audience that every addict is a family member, friend and neighbor, and that the battle for their souls is a battle for the survival of society itself. Imprisonment alone, Stalcup said, is not effective in dealing with addiction; treatment is essential.
“Imprisoned addicts come out of prison not much better off than what they were when they went in unless we also offer treatment,” Dr. Stalcup said.
Douglas has long recognized this, and he’s advocated the establishment of a “drug court” that will provide alternatives to prison when dealing with those whose offenses are the result of or stem from substance abuse.
“I think we need to enforce the law, and punishment is very important,” Douglas said. “But we also need to remember that we also work to salvage people and their families. Every person turned around is a victory for our society and for the people who love them. Working as both a prosecutor and at times as a defense attorney shows me that we have to use the sanction of prison wisely. People don’t like hearing it, but there are no easy answers. Each case and each defendant is different. I believe in the sanction of prison or local jail time, but I also agree with Dr. Stalcup that we need to treat those who can be reached.”