Helping Curb Drug Abuse While Saving Tax Dollars

Senator Ben Nelson

My heart went out to the famous father of a famous man who has addiction problems. The father was Martin Sheen who came to my office on Capitol Hill to talk. We didn’t talk about the current problems his family faces. We talked about a program that is near and dear to my heart and that once helped his family during a critical period several years ago.

It’s called Drug Court and for people who have addictions and their families, it’s one of the best programs available. Nebraska, which has 23 drug courts statewide, has had them since I was governor.

As Judge Karen Flowers, who I appointed to the bench in 1996 and who was a driving force in establishing Lancaster County’s Drug Court, said, “I saw drug court as an opportunity to help offenders stay out of the criminal justice system, hopefully, permanently.”

Saves Tax Dollars
She cited studies that show they reduce repeat offenders, thus saving taxpayers money as they take a burden off police, prosecutors, the courts and corrections. It’s far less expensive to monitor a non violent offender than to put him or her in prison. And, for the offender it’s much better because if they complete the very rigid program successfully they don’t have a record which makes it easier to lead a productive life.
Their record of success is excellent. According to the National Association of Drug Courts, they are the nation’s most effective intervention for seriously drug addicted offenders.

Careful Spending Cuts

Excellent programs like this are one of the reasons it is so important that Congress consider spending cuts thoughtfully. The fact is that Congress is going to have to spend less, but we should do so in a way that does not undermine the economy or programs that actually reduce spending in the long term.

Recidivism is costly, with studies showing every $1 spent on Drug Courts ends up saving as much as $27 on re-arrests, law enforcement, court hearings, prison beds, and the cost to crime victims.

Drug courts help the taxpayer but just as importantly, they help people break their habits and become productive members of society. I’ve met Nebraskans who have completed these programs and spoken at their graduation ceremonies. I see their pride in staying free of drugs for four, five or 10 years – or more.

One thing I found out is that Martin Sheen is no different from Nebraska parents who are having family problems and look for the most effective way to help them. That’s what drug courts do. Help people get their lives back together, get honest jobs and reconcile with their families while saving taxpayer dollars at the same time.