Lawrenceburg, Ind. — Officials say a Jail Chemical Addiction Program (JCAP) in Dearborn County is instrumental in helping inmates get much needed treatment.
Indiana attorney general Curtis Hill says the Dearborn County program is one of only two in the state used to explore ways to reach those battling addiction. “Everyone recognizes the need for more treatment facilities,” Hill said, “but it would be unwise to expect addicts to just line up and ask for help. The nature of addiction will not allow such rational behavior. Efforts to limit jail time for drug users might be well-intended,” Hill said, “but based on what we’ve heard from inmates, one must conclude that the most compassionate course might actually be giving them more jail time.”
Graduates and inmates in the program conclude, “getting arrested saved my life.”
Hill hopes all counties in the state will eventually have access to the program. He plans to aggressively present this information to law makers.
Decatur County prosecuting attorney Nathan Harter was appointed by Hill to lead the effort.
