When someone commits a drug-related crime, he must face a judge or jury in a court of law so his sentence can be determined. Drug-related crimes are serious charges and can come with serious consequences. Often the choice of punishment by the state is that the person serve the state's preset length of time in a jail or correctional facility. While this may be a viable option for many offenders with other combined charges or if they are associated with a violent crime, another option such as a drug treatment program may be more beneficial to those who are first-time or non-violent offenders.
Types
Some of the different type of crimes that someone could be charged with include manufacturing, possessing, using and distributing illegal prescription drugs or street drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and marijuana. If these are first-time charges or stand-alone charges, drug treatment programs may be a better option for rehabilitation as opposed to incarceration so that the offender can receive the proper assistance with repairing her drug problem.
Time Frame
The time frame for both incarceration and drug treatment differs considerably. Most drug charges enforced by the legal system are generally long, ranging from two to 18 years---even for first-time offenders. If he is convicted of drug trafficking, the charges may be more severe than a possession. For offenders who receive drug rehabilitation, they may only serve a 30 to 60 day sentence for their drug rehabilitation. This is generally without any jail time or incarceration.
Significance
The significance of sending an offender to jail or prison may help her rehabilitate through punishment. The key is to utilize more programs that combine both incarceration with drug rehabilitation. This allows her to serve the time for the crime she committed while at the same time learning how to rehabilitate properly in a structured environment.
Potential
In many cases, incarceration alone, without any drug treatment services may not be enough to rehabilitate the offender. There are still many temptations that reside outside of the prison and jail walls, such as falling back or associating with an old crowd or possibly selling drugs as an easy way to make money. A drug treatment program will teach offenders the skills they need to cope with everyday temptations that will likely arise. Qualified therapists affiliated with a drug treatment program will easily be able to recognize offenders who need additional treatment for their drug or alcohol problem such as inpatient rehabilitation or detoxification services.
Effects
The effects of incarceration will be that the offender properly served his time for the drug crime he committed. He will eventually be placed on probation or parole, but he still may fall back into the footsteps of drug crimes if he received no rehabilitation or guidance counseling while being locked up. If he attended a drug treatment program and used a combination of behavioral and cognitive therapy to deal with drug use in a safe and responsible way, the likelihood of falling back into an unlawful habit will be minimal.
