Crosswalk - BreakPoint: Criminal Neglect, November 12, 2004

Crosswalk Fri, 12 Nov 2004 08:05:34 -0800

Breakpoint Friday, November 12, 2004

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Criminal Neglect - Kids, Drugs, and Crime

BreakPoint with Charles Colson

Note: This commentary was delivered by Prison Fellowship President Mark Earley.

Not long ago I went to visit a prison as part of Operation Starting Line, an effort to bring the saving message of Jesus Christ to every prisoner in America. After the program, I walked the cell blocks, one-by-one, talking with inmates. Some of them responded positively, shaking my hand and thanking me for being there. But some of the men did not even get out of their bunks. It was mid-day. At first, I thought they were sleeping, but then I was told, �They�re not sleeping. They�re stoned on drugs.�

I was surprised at the casual attitude toward drug use. But as I left the prison, I realized that there is little hope for these guys. Very few have access to drug treatment programs. Kids come out in even worse shape than when they came in. Seventy percent will end up committing new crimes. When are we going to wake up to this problem�and do something about it?

One person who has come up with solid solutions is Joseph Califano, former secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Twelve years ago Califano founded CASA, the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. CASA has just released a report of a five-year study of the nation�s juvenile justice systems. Its findings are as sad as they are shocking.

Four of every five child and teen arrestees are involved with drugs. Many are under the influence of alcohol or drugs when committing their crimes, which often involve drugs and alcohol.

What is America doing about this? Almost nothing. CASA found that less than 4 percent of juvenile arrestees receive any treatment for substance abuse. Perhaps worst of all is the lack of faith-based programs. CASA has long known that religious commitment can help aid in recovery. Yet, CASA did not find a single program that provides for the spiritual enrichment of incarcerated kids. As Califano says, �Instead of helping, we are writing off these young Americans.�

He�s right. Even if we are not motivated by concern for troubled kids, we ought to consider the high cost of ignoring them. CASA found that if we could prevent the crimes and imprisonment of just 12 percent of juvenile lawbreakers, we would have 60,000 fewer adult inmates.

That�s why I join Joe Califano in calling for an overhaul of our juvenile justice system. It�s time for the states to change the way we handle juvenile offenders.

The CASA report provides a tremendous apologetic opportunity as well. It documents what happens when somebody comes to Christ: He is transformed. Califano once said he was amazed to find that nearly every ex-drug addict he met cited religion as a key to rehabilitation. That shouldn�t surprise Christians: People use drugs and alcohol to fill an inner void that God alone can fill.

So while we certainly need to upgrade the inadequate juvenile justice system, the Church must also get involved in helping set free people held captive to drugs and alcohol. We do it by helping them fill the spiritual void in their hearts with the living God.

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Crosswalk - BreakPoint: Criminal Neglect, November 12, 2004

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