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Why We Need To Treat Addiction Like A Disease, Not A Crime

http://cptv.vo.llnwd.net/o2/ypmwebcontent/Commodore%20Skahill/Colin%20McEnroe%20Show%2006-05-2013.mp3

Today 8,100 people over the age of 12 in the U.S. will have their first drug experience.
 
Another 12,800 will try alcohol for the first time. In the U.S., 135,000 deaths per year are directly attributable to drugs, and that does not count the 100,000 or so other deaths in which drugs were a major contributing factor. 
 
Most measures of drug abuse and addiction suggests the problem is accelerating. So what are we doing about it? In his book "Clean," journalist David Sheff says we're doing all the wrong things. Our prevention models are not evidence-based and are ineffective. And our treatment system is not a system of all, but a patchwork of unproven methods. 
 
Today: addiction and the need to change how we deal with those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse.
 
You can join the conversation. E-mail colin@wnpr.org or Tweet us @wnprcolin.

Colin McEnroe is a radio host, newspaper columnist, magazine writer, author, playwright, lecturer, moderator, college instructor and occasional singer. Colin can be reached at colin@ctpublic.org.

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