Being arrested for drug charges is something that might make you realize that you have a problem. The issue that you face now is that the criminal justice system might want to just put you in prison without offering you any help for the addiction that led to the drug charges. This is something that seems a bit off, but it is how the system seems to work.
There are some benefits to offering people who have a drug addiction rehabilitation instead of only incarceration. Around 75 percent of drug offenders who are sentenced to incarceration reoffend within a 12-month period. When rehabilitation is ordered, that percentage drops to 57 percent. While that isn’t a huge difference, it does show that rehab can have a positive impact.
Another interesting point is that a person who has a drug addiction commits an average of 63 crimes each year. By treating the underlying addiction instead of just punishing the person for the addiction, it is possible to reduce that number of crimes committed. Essentially, there is a big difference between treating a problem and punishing an action.
Of course, it isn’t always possible to choose from rehabilitation or incarceration. Incarceration is sometimes the option the court chooses. In this case, the person could always opt for rehabilitation after incarceration.
If you are facing a drug charge, make sure you understand what options you have for your case. Programs like drug courts can help people who have a problem. But, these programs are usually off limits to people who have violent charges and sometimes those who have prior drug charges.