The overpopulation of prisons is no new dilemma. When looking for a solution to this problem, one might wonder how these female inmates ended up in prison.
According to federal and state crime data, drug-related offenses account for about 12 percent of arrests among females in Oklahoma, and about 50 percent of women in prison are there on drug-related convictions.
The average sentence in Oklahoma for women in drug-related convictions is 5 ½ years, according to a “Tulsa World” analysis of prison sentences since 2000.
The future solution to this problem may be as simple as drug prevention by way of rehabilitation and education. Narconon Arrowhead, one of the world’s largest and most successful addiction treatment centers, offers both of these drug prevention options and is located right here in Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services have been working on a new project called “Smart on Crime,” which promotes specific programs before and after a person is incarcerated.
According to Terri White, commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, drug prevention can help decrease the number of people going to prison.
“We took a step back by one phase,” White said. “We’re saying we can step back even further to when contact with law enforcement is made initially or prevent any contact with law enforcement.”
Derry Hallmark, Senior Director for Expansion for Narconon Arrowhead has a similar view on this subject.
“Drug addiction will undoubtedly lead to criminal activity which will then lead to prison,” said Hallmark. “We must handle the problem at the source with drug rehabilitation, leading a person away from drug addiction and prison.”
Narconon, a long-term inpatient addiction treatment program, has had great results with their treatment achieving a more than 70% success rate for permanent sobriety from addiction.
“The drawback is a lack of treatment beds state wide,” said Terri White. “Between 600 and 900 people are on a waiting list for drug treatment services each day.”
According to Hallmark, Narconon of Oklahoma is open for admittance and is prepared to assist as many of these individuals as possible.
For more information on how the Narconon program can help you or a loved one struggling with addiction contact Narconon Arrowhead for addiction treatment today at 800-468-6933 or log onto www.stopaddiction.com.