Here in Virginia we know substance abuse is no joke. Does anyone know if drug abuse played a roll in the crime of you loved on? When incarcerated or reincarcerated was drug abuse a problem? We need to get those figures together. This may come in handy one day for our loved ones to get proper rehabilitation for drug abuse, so they, we, the future can have options. I find this issue to be very important to not only our loved ones incarcerated, what about for our childrens sake and their future. I have seen generations and I know I am not the only one who has seen this, generation after generation in the system some how for some sort of non-violent offense or drug offense. These our figures we can get together as a whole. That is why I think it is very important to post this now. :idea:

My loved one is incarcerated because of drugs, perscription drugs that is. After a tragic coal mining accident which made him nearly loose his hand and forearm he was perscribed OxyCotin, which we all know is highly addictive. Ive learned that prior to his accident he did drugs like pot recreationally, but it was his father who was a big influence. His dad was a heavy drug user, it was nothing for him to be loaded on some kind of persciption drug, or well some not so perscribed drug. This was a daily thing for my loved ones life ( his name is Kevin). After Kevin wasnt able to get the perscription of OxyCotin anymore he decided to rob a pharmacy and a grocery store. The story gets much more sad, but yes my Kevin is in prison as a result of drugs.

Yes drugs was an issue for my Husband. He was beside someone as they sold hydrocodone to a narc, therefore making him guilty too. At one time he was on Cocaine and Meth, but hasn't touched it in 2 years. Hopefully he is over it.
So yes, my is in as a result of drugs as well.

Thank you for sharing with us. I was drinking like "jones-ing" for next beer can hand. I am very greatful I went thru what ever to get to here. PEACE and LOVE! Where is the LOVE?Can we choose not to do something? Can we get some more involveed? Can we pass it on ourselves? We came together? I am on a role.

my sons crime was also the result of drug abuse. He was takeing pain killers. I had no idea how many until it was to late.He said not to long ago that this is the first time he has been straight since he was 14 years old. he is now 33.

My husband is also in jail for a crime commited because of a crack addiction, he is in Prince William ADC but, they have a great drug treatment program called the DORM (drug offenders rehabilition module) it is a 6 month program in a dorm style setting. He has really learned a lot from the program he has battled the crack addiction for 10 years and has been to jail several times and this is the first time he has actually gotten treatment, but, maybe because he commited the crime in a different county, in a way good because he is almost done with the program and i honestly don't think he will ever go back to the drugs, he has 2 years left in jail :(

Annette,
Drug abuse is the reason my sister is going to prison just waited in jail to be sent. My sister became messed up with the wrong crowd. The people were crack users sshe started using than got hooked. Her boyfriend had been addicted for 7 years both of them started selling and got caught. They became homeless and did it to survive and feed their addiction. My sister never was on drugs before and that is the main reason she is going to prison. I tried to get her to come and stay with me for 5 years she lied to me about her addiction, but I knew the signs. Finally she told me the truth. She didn't want to leave the life she was living or her boyfriend. Now I am the only one that is there for her. It is only in letters and calls because I live in NY. I feel bad for her and am trying to get her sentence reduced.

My daughter went to prison because of drugs. She couldnt stay clean for drug tests while on probation ended up with a 3 year sentence is getting out this month. I hope she stays clean but who knows.

Both of my friends are in jail for drug related offenses. One is serving 7 years and the other 2. I personally think they would be better served spending some time in re hab but whatever

You are right they have to have treatment. When ny sister does get out she is coming to live with me. I am going to help her get into outpatient treatment and mental health treatment right away. Most of the time they need both.

My son is also an addict, but hasn't ever committed a violent crime. He had been approved for a s/a m/h program and his high end guidelines were 2 yr. 10 month. He had credit card charges and stole a generator valued at $10.00 and b&e in a unsecured storage building, but said he never went in the building. In his court file, there is a picture of the generator, but I saw no pictures of the storage shed at all. He got 31 Years, I believe the judge used the fact that he owed child support in order to sentence him. Is it unusal for a addict to be behind in support. The judge suspended all but 8 years. Still a long time to be away from children and family. The seven year old whos mother refuses to let him visit, and doesn't want him to even get calls or letters from his father will call me and say he just can't stand it not being able to see his dad and doesn't understand that they won't let him out long enough to come see him. His mother is making it really difficult for me to see him. She's no prize either. She wants her new boyfriend to be daddy. This is the 3rd daddy in 7 years and about the 7th relationship in 7 years. never worked, welfare mommy. has a car. all kids in school. Only one of these children is my grandchild. Thank God. If her boyfriend was in jail, she would be there to visit him until she found someone else to provide for her. I really vented didn't I!!!! Yea, The system is wrong, these addict need help and the resources aren't there. I did read in NEWSWEEK a coulple of months ago, there is a vacinne comming out hopefully in 2010 that is a once a month injection that will create antibodies in the blood that will absorb the cocaine so they will not get a high, No high, the brain will heal, and the need to use will decrease over time. Probably will be so expensive that it will be hard for most addicts and their families to pay for, but I know for one, that I will do whatever it takes to get it for him. It would seem that a once a month injection would be a better most cost effective than prison & rehab if it works.