Rehab vs. Jail Debate

Rapper Lil Boosie is the latest celebrity to draw attention to the issue of rehabilitation vs. jail time for addicted drug offenders.

Lil Boosie, aka Torrence Hatch, is a 26-year-old rapper with a successful music career. But that career – not to mention his personal life – has been derailed by a prison sentence. In November 2009 he was sentenced to four years in jail. He was initially convicted of drug and firearm offenses when a judge ruled he had broken the terms of his probation and imposed the stiff jail term.

The 2008 arrest in the rapper’s home state of Louisiana led to possession charges that ranged from marijuana to a firearm to a drug-laced cigar. The rapper was originally ordered to house arrest in September 2009. It was during the following months that the alleged probation offense occurred.

Now Lil Boosie is requesting that his jail time be traded for a stint in drug rehab. Claiming to struggle with a serious addiction, he told local WENN that, "I've been on marijuana since a teenager.” He went on to add, “If I made a mistake with marijuana, why am I not eligible for rehab? I need some rehab. Jail is not rehab."

In addition to missing out on the option to attend rehab, Lil Boosie’s jail time means he will also miss the birth of his eighth child.

Drug Addiction Treatment

If you or someone you love is battling an addiction, call La Paloma at our toll-free number, 877-345-1887. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.