The Benefits of Drug Rehab Over Incarceration for Drug Conspiracy

The Benefits of Drug Rehab Over Incarceration for Drug Conspiracy

Drug conspiracy charges are very serious. They can lead to long prison sentences, even for people who are innocent or only tangentially involved. But throwing people in jail doesn’t always help them or society. Drug rehab can be a better solution in many cases.

Lots of times, folks charged with drug conspiracy are addicts or small-time dealers just trying to support their habit. They need help, not punishment. Drug rehab can give them the tools to turn their lives around. It’s more compassionate and practical than locking them up.

How Drug Conspiracy Laws Work

Conspiracy charges are about planning with others to commit a crime, even if you don’t go through with it. With drugs, you can face conspiracy charges for:

• Agreeing to distribute drugs with someone
• Planning to manufacture drugs
• Making a deal to transport large quantities

You don’t have to actually sell or make the drugs. Just planning it with others is enough. Conspiracy charges depend on the drug type and amount, your criminal record, weapons involvement, etc. But they can lead to years in prison even for first offenses or small amounts.

These laws sweep up all kinds of people – kingpins but also addicts doing favors for dealers so they can get a fix. Lots of times, folks don’t realize how serious it is until they’re facing charges.

How Drug Rehab Can Help

Instead of jail time, drug rehab gives people the chance to get clean and learn new life skills. There are lots of different kinds of programs:

• Residential rehab – Live at a facility full-time for 1-3 months.
• Outpatient – Attend sessions 1-5 times a week while living at home.
• 12-step programs like NA or AA – Free support groups to help you stay clean.
• Medication-assisted treatment – Use meds like methadone to reduce cravings and withdrawal.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy – Identify unhealthy thought patterns and change behaviors.

A good program will provide counseling, group support, life skills training, job assistance, and follow-up care. This gives people the tools to build a life without drugs.

Why It’s Better Than Jail

Research shows rehab has much better outcomes than prison for drug offenders. Here’s why it’s the better choice:

More Humane

Incarceration is cruel and traumatic, especially for minor crimes driven by addiction. Rehab recognizes that addiction is a disease. It aims to heal people, not punish them.

Breaks the Cycle

Jails are full of drugs. Being locked up often reinforces addiction. Rehab helps people make lasting changes so they don’t fall back into old habits after release.

Saves Money

It costs about $30,000/year to incarcerate someone but only $5,000 for outpatient rehab. And rehab reduces recidivism, saving more costs down the road.

Keeps Families Together

Incarceration traumatizes kids and makes it hard for parents to support them. Rehab lets parents get clean while staying with their families.

Reduces Crime

Rehab addresses root causes instead of locking people up temporarily. This reduces drug-driven crime in the long run.

More Effective

Rehab has much higher recovery rates than prison – up to 50% vs. 95% relapse. People learn coping skills and are less likely to reoffend.

Challenges and Counterarguments

Rehab is clearly better for low-level offenders, but there are some challenges and counterarguments:

Public Safety

Some worry violent traffickers will be released to rehab instead of prison. But programs can assess risks case-by-case. Low-risk users should qualify, while dealers who pose dangers can still face incarceration.

Forced Treatment

Critics say forced rehab violates personal liberties. But it’s arguably less coercive than prison. And studies show even compulsory treatment can work if programs are high-quality.

Relapse

It’s unrealistic to expect 100% success. But rehab significantly reduces relapse versus prison. Ongoing support like 12-step programs also helps prevent backsliding.

Cost

Rehab costs money, but so does incarceration – much more over the long term. Investing upfront in recovery saves taxpayer dollars down the road.

Recent Examples and Progress

Despite challenges, many places are starting to direct drug offenders to rehab instead of defaulting to jail:

• Oklahoma voters approved criminal justice reforms in 2016 focused on rehab over incarceration.
• California’s Proposition 36 lets first- and second-time nonviolent drug offenders choose treatment.
• The federal First Step Act increased early release to rehab programs.
• New York, Connecticut, and other states passed laws to divert more drug offenders.

These programs have already produced promising results, like fewer overdoses and inmates in Oklahoma. Hopefully more states will follow their lead.

The Bottom Line

Incarceration should be a last resort, not the default for every drug offender. Rehab gives people a chance to change their lives for the better. It’s more ethical, cost-effective, and beneficial for society. The criminal justice system needs to get smarter on rehab versus incarceration.

Drug addiction is a complex problem. But throwing people in jail cells with no help just makes things worse. With smart reforms, we can redirect more resources to help people recover and transform their lives.