‘War on drugs’ needs new, better solutions – The Bozeman Daily Chronicle

A Chronicle report published June 25 on the continuing problem of methamphetamine use in Montana revealed some troubling numbers. Statistics indicate this longstanding problem is getting worse much worse. State Highway Patrol meth arrests increased from 15 in 2012 to 141 last year. And quantities of the drug seized so far this year have already exceeded the total seized in all of last year. Here locally, of the 235 felony cases filed in district court, 53 percent, or 124, of them have involved drugs.

While meth is the biggest problem of the moment here in Montana, here and nationwide law enforcement is also battling the growing problem opioid addiction in the form of both prescription drugs and heroin.

It seems like baby boomers have lived their entire lives against the backdrop of the so-called War on Drugs an effort punctuated with more failures than successes. Law enforcement is certainly an important front. But its becoming increasingly apparent that new ways to tackle the problem need to be found.

To their credit, state Justice Department officials are working on a program, Aid Montana, that will bring treatment providers, counselors and other healthcare professionals together with criminal justice officials law officers, prosecutors and defense attorneys to seek innovative ways to tackle the issue of drug addiction. The group is commissioned to come up with specific recommendations to present to lawmakers in 2019.

An increased emphasis on the medical side of the issue certainly needs to be part of the solution on the national level as well. As lawmakers in Washington consider changes to our health care system, they must make certain to adequately fund treatment for drug users who want to quit. Money specifically for opioid addiction treatment programs must be part of any final health care legislation. And Medicaid coverage must be extended for treatment for those who cant afford to buy their own health insurance.

Now well into the 21st century, the illegal drug woes of the last century just seem to be getting worse. And this much is certain: Doing things the same way we always have isnt working.

New, better and more compassionate solutions must be found. And those will be most likely found on the health care side of the equation.

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'War on drugs' needs new, better solutions - The Bozeman Daily Chronicle