Essay Draft Notes
First Paragraph- Introduction (Includes thesis statement)
Why is treatment a better alternative to incarceration for drug offenders?
Those who undergo treatment are less like to recommit crimes and have a higher probability of
becoming productive members of society.
Incarceration is not a deterrent to substance or alcohol abuse. Tools given in treatment provide
individuals with the ability to create new coping mechanisms to prevent relapses.
Thesis Statement
While public safety is paramount, addiction treatment is a beneficial alternative for drug
offenders to incarceration, by reason of, those who undergo treatment are less likely to recommit
crimes and have a higher probability of becoming productive members of society, incarceration
is not a deterrent to substance or alcohol abuse, and tools given in treatment provide individuals
with the ability to create new coping mechanisms to prevent relapses.
Second Paragraph- Main Point 1 (Benefits of substance abuse treatment)
In a treatment setting, individuals are surrounded by others that are participating in addiction
therapy.
Successful treatment engages a multitude of demands of an individual, not only drug or alcohol
abuse. To be efficient, drug treatment centers concentrate on an individual’s corrective,
cognitive, and societal needs on top of drug use.
Third Paragraph- Main Point 2 (Impact of incarceration on drug offenders)
In addition to having a negative effect on the offender, incarceration has a direct influence on
their families as well.
Carrying a record for substance abuse makes it difficult for these individuals to positively move
forward upon release. For example, when potential employers or landlords see drug related
charges when conducting a background check, it often causes them to hesitate, making it further
problematic for drug offenders to meet basic needs.
There is minimal access to treatment options or medical care while incarcerated.
Paragraph 4- Main Point 3 (Importance of drug prevention efforts within the community)
Implementation of drug prevention policies have been proven to diminish occurrences of drug
use and abuse.
Reduced exposure for health consequences characterized by drug abuse and detrimental
behaviors.
Paragraph 5- Opposing Point of View (Public safety in relation to drug offenders)
Incarceration has a negative effect on individuals with SUDs. Without proper treatment options,
many resume drug use upon release from jail or prison. Confinement of drug offenders is not a
cost-effective reaction to addiction treatment. Incarceration costs approximately $32,000 per
inmate each year, further supporting that imprisonment is not conducive in lessening substance
abuse.
Digression policies conserve money and improve public safety. Testimony shows that rerouting
substance abuse offenders to treatment programs instead of locking them up can lessen
regression and conserve millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money.
Paragraph 6- Conclusion
Those who undergo treatment are less likely to recommit crimes and have a higher probability of
becoming productive members of society.
Evidence shows that imprisonment does not deter drug or alcohol abuse.
Drug prevention policies have been proven to diminish occurrences of drug use and abuse. As a
result, interception programs have reduced exposure for health consequences characterized by
drug abuse and detrimental behaviors.
