The Challenge of Addiction Treatment Today

 What help really works for hard core drug abusers? 

By DAVID KERR

Maia Szalavitz[1] is a thoughtful, respected and long-time writer in the field of addiction and I support most of her 8 points as listed below and seen in her article in the Huffington Post; “The Rehab Industry Needs to Clean Up Its Act. Here's How.” Here’s the link:
CLICK HERE. 

Though I disagree (in blue below) with some of her points, she presents a concise summary of what she sees needing to change in our field and she knows from her own personal history using heroin and cocaine.  Here is part of what she has to say:

“I have covered addiction as a journalist for nearly three decades, and also have my own history of heroin and cocaine addiction, and of receiving treatment. With the input of longtime leaders in and critics of the field, here are my views on what needs to change.

1. Remove 12-step-related content from treatment — or at least, stop charging for it

2. Ensure access to maintenance treatment for opioid addiction

3. Fight corruption and unethical practices

4. End the reliance on criminal justice system referrals

5. End humiliation and confrontation

6. De-emphasize residential treatment

7. Create truly independent accrediting bodies that are consumer-friendly—and national standards of care

8. Expand harm reduction”

I have a problem with three of her eight points but she missed a major point as described below.  Also I would add to her eighth point: “Expand all treatment.”

I disagree with her points #1, #4 and #6.

 #1.  The AA 12 step approach is a marvelous group process where recovering substance abusers are accepted by their peers, finding a mentor and/or coach who guides the new candidate for years through the process of recovery.  Why would we want to end a process that has clearly helped many addicts for years and years?

#4.  I don’t think that treatment programs in New Jersey, for example, rely on criminal justice referrals.  Rather they see the desperate need of those addicts caught in the criminal justice system who need treatment rather than incarceration.  According to the Human Rights Watchreport, 10-17-16, “ every 25 seconds someone in America is arrested for possessing drugs for personal use.”

To make matters worse, many of those failing to meet bail requirements are incarcerated since treatment beds are usually full with a waiting list.

What’s the alternative?  Recovery help and treatment must be available to all people in all cultures.  Should we just bypass the treatment of addicts whose disease causes illegal drug use and associated crime?  In New Jersey, residential treatment programs have contracts with Corrections and Parole and they are showing positive results over years with the legally supervised treatment and follow up support of hard core criminal addicts.  Many studies have shown that this treatment enhances the likelihood of continued recovery with fewer relapses over time.  It makes no sense to arrest and incarcerate but provide no treatment to some addicts just because of their background and previous record while offering treatment for the same crime to others with little or no criminal record.  Many of these “others” are those who are part of the growing heroin epidemic in the suburbs.  Punish some and help others based on their skin color, criminal background and/or lack of bail money?  Not the right direction.

#6. Residential treatment is part of the continuum of help for many if not most hard core addicts.  Very, few of the thousands of addicts I’ve known could ever begin to put their life back together without removing themselves from the temptations of “the streets” and their neighborhood i.e. “the hood”. 

Here is an alternative model for Treatment and Recovery, call it the

Long Term Continuing Care Recovery Model

Help and caring for hardcore long-term addicts must be long-term (years.)  Also, the life supporting connections between treatment and the community neighborhoods to which recovering addicts re-enter after treatment, must be strengthened. 

The full recovery model of help for hard core criminal addicts often looks like this:  The detoxification phase followed by the residential phase followed by the reentry phase {followed sometimes by the out-patient phase} and then the most critical, the follow up coaching phase.  These are all part of the essential many year recovery continuum of care for hard core addicts.  I emphasize the word “caring” in this continuum. 

One of the most effective ways to measure quality in a program is to notice the level of concern and caring shown by all staff, not just counselors.  Assuring a caring staff must be the first step to assuring a quality staff and a quality program.  The best measure of a caring staff often comes from comments by the residents.[2]

The reentry phase of this continuum can be very challenging and it is not always the recovering person’s fault.  If we think of the cause of addiction as much from an addiction seeking culture as from a disease, we can begin to understand how difficult it can be to help people who must return after treatment to their home environment that is loaded with temptation.  Yes I know and believe the studies supported by Nora Volkow, NIDA, demonstrating that addiction is a brain disease.[3]  However, I attribute the present day growing problem of heroin addiction in the suburbs more from copy-cat and cultural behavior rather than so many people suddenly developing a “disease.”  AA talks about changing “people, places and things,” to stay clean and sober but this is often not possible in a drug seeking culture and as a result, addiction spreads.  Today, if you want to help and coach an addict towards recovery sometimes your most formidable enemy is our present day growing feeling that “heroin is ok.”  Some are saying under their breath; “yeah right, now that white people are using heroin, it’s ok;” and this has a ring of truth to it.

Peer support is often critical for hardcore criminal addict recovery

I founded a TC in Newark in 1968 called Integrity House. I retired from this work in March, 2012.  The TC concept has come a long way since the early 1960's.  We recognize the impact of the recovering peer, clean and sober for years, as a role model for change in our residential and out-patient programs.  We recognize the need for changing our system of care from long-term residential help to long-term support and coaching so that self-realization and the new drug free lifestyle has a chance to become internalized and practiced over years.  I have not found much long-term recovery success for hard core criminal "lifestyle addicts" without years of interaction with positive peers, and without support and coaching[4].

That said, most hardcore criminal addicts that I have worked with need to start and become part of a culture of safe, clean and sober living in a residential setting.  Each participant has a role in helping him/herself and others while learning, practicing and finally internalizing a new positive and ethical lifestyle. In my experience, the Therapeutic Community is the most effective tool, demonstrating a positive culture of right living for many months in treatment and for years thereafter following the long-term recovery continuum model.  

I have found that they must give help to others to get the full measure of help for themselves. 

A properly functioning TC must be sensitive to others needs and wants and what will help and what will hurt.  I've found that those addicts I have worked with over the years need a combination of understanding, love and straight honest talk and finally the role modeling of others like them, clean and sober for many years.  What I didn't expect to find, as I began to know them in the mid-1960’s, was a deep understanding of their own motives and behavior to help themselves as well as their strong need for help and guidance from others in long-term recovery. Finally I have found that they must give help to others to get the full measure of help for themselves.  Addicts in recovery for years make some of the best counselors I’ve ever met and this is with or without a degree! 

Let’s not mandate a degree since the bi-product may be to eliminate the recovering peer from our system of treatment.[5]

My experience supports the idea that a durable recovery is best insured by a counselor and/or peer who can feel a deep understanding and sincere sense of love and caring for others.  I have seen that recovering addicts who attain a degree are seen as role models to others in recovery!  On the other hand, I have found that the most effective people to inspire change are often former addict role models with a strong history of recovery, with or without a degree.

Growing addiction in the mainstream society is setting a bad example for our children

It is difficult today to help someone in a residential or outpatient treatment program to pursue a lasting recovery, when they leave treatment to return to our present drug consuming culture.  Addiction today is part of our culture whether it be from middle class in more affluent suburbs or ghetto pockets in the inner-city. If we want to make a serious impact on this personal and cultural malaise, we have to look at our own addictive behaviors and negative role modeling!  It's what we as parents do that is having a noticeable impact on the behavior of our children.  Growing addiction in mainstream society is setting a bad example for our children.  As a result, many have fallen into the deep hole that takes “adolescent recreational use and abuse” down the path of lifetime addiction.

Let's work together and with the media to develop more effective prevention plans that will be part of our culture and that will help our children grow up healthy.  These plans must start with changing our own habits and negative role modeling and personal substance abuse that will be mimicked by our children!

---

 [1] Maia Szalavitz is a columnist for The Influence. She has written for Time, The New York Times, Scientific American Mind, the Washington Post and many other publications.

[2] Be careful though not to base staff evaluations on resident comments!

[3]  http://www.memoirsofanaddictedbrain.com/connect/nora-volkow-the-disease-model-and-moi/

 [4] While I never used drugs, I lived with active addicts in Newark while starting Integrity House and learned much from what they said and how they lived.

[5] Most addicts in recovery owe fines and are just beginning a stable life in the workforce.  They will not be able to afford to pay for a degree for years if not decades!

Remembering the Beirut Marine Barracks Attack

In 1983, during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, the Marine Barracks in Beirut was bombed. It should be something Americans remember on its anniversary. The bombing took place on Oct. 23rd of that year.

Coke, Pepsi Shrinking Soda Arms of Companies?

By JIM PURCELL

MSN Business Insider reporter Kate Taylor has published a report that brings new light on the soda industry in the United States. The facts are in and Americans are consuming less soda, putting both Pepsi and Coca-Cola on notice that it's time for them to change the way they have been doing business.

One way the soda giants have been fighting back that "...good night..." has been by shrinking the size of cans and bottles. While smaller cans may contain the same soda as always, they contain fewer calories than larger cans or bottles, making them more attractive to consumers.

According to the report, in 2015, one 8.5-ounce aluminum bottle of Coke generated $1.60 for Coke per purchase. Meanwhile, a 2-liter gallon generated revenue of only 18 cents per sale.

Coke is attempting to find ways to stop using sugar, as well. Rather, Coke is investing more heavily in its juice, tea, coffee and bottled water arms of the company. Similarly, according to Pepsi COO Indra Nooyi, in April, stated that less than 25 percent of the iconic company's global sales are from soda. Other Pepsi products, such as bottled water and unsweetened beverages have been making up for the decline in sugary drink sales.

Neither company is ever expected to give up selling soda. However, soda sales are not the back-bone or, apparently, the future of either Coke or Pepsi.

The Met Hosts Events About Medieval Jerusalem

By JIM PURCELL

Between 1000 A.D. and 1400A.D., Jerusalem became a place of wonderous diversity. Various faiths were found within the legendary city, and people came from as far as Iceland and India to visit the famous 'City on the Hill.' Hence, during those years the art from the period tells a fascinating story about not only the city but the many people who visited it and called it home.

The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art is hosting an exhibition honoring Jerusalem's art of the period, which is sponsored by The David Berg Foundation. Additional support for the show was made possible by the National Endowment of the Arts.

Today, at 3 p.m., Sunday, October 23rd, the Met is hosting an event, "The Suspended Harp: Sounds of Faith in Medieval Jerusalem" at the Fuentiduena Chapel. Admission is $40. Tomorrow, at 6:30 p.m., the Met will offer "Imagining Jerusalem: The Golden City in Art, Lore, and Literature." Admission for that event will be $40-$50 and the event will be held The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium.

Philippine Prez Breaks Off Alliance with the U.S.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte reviews the troops in China.

Feature Story

By JIM PURCELL

On Oct. 20, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made it clear during a Beijing press conference that he is aligning his country with China. In a published CNN report by staffers Katie Hunt, Matt Rivers and Catherine E. Shoichet, it is reported that Duterte announced Philippine economic and military separation from the United States.

He is reported to have said, "America has lost now. I've realigned myself in your ideological flow," referring to Red China's world view. 

The Philippine president added that "maybe I will also go to Russia to talk to Putin and tell him there are three of us against the world: China, Philippines and Russia."

Of Duterte's latest announcement, Deputy White House Press Secretary Eric Shultz said there has been no request made by the Phillippines to change existing alliances. 

Meanwhile, Chinese diplomats have reportedly said they are ready to start a "new chapter" with the Philippines. 

Recently, relations between the Philippines and China had been troubled with an ongoing territorial dispute and rights of navigation issue in the South China Sea. Duterte seems to have pushed that to the background in his new initiative with China.

Of U.S. President Obama, Duterte, 71, said, "I am no American puppet. I am the president of a soverign country. I am not answerable to anyone except the Filipino people ... [Expletive Deleted], I will swear at you."

President Duterte has harsh words of criticism for the U.S. 

In a report written by Wall Street Journal staffer Trefor Moss, it was reported that Duterte felt he was offended by President Obama over a perceived slight. This occurred last month during a regional summit in Laos. 

Duterte's sister, Jocellyn Duterte is quoted as saying the Philippine president "expected more respect from Obama." 

During Duterte's press conference two days ago, which took place in Beijing's Great Hall, Duterte explained his understanding of  "separation" as not breaking off ties with the United States altogether, but certainly he plans on charting a foreign policy that may or may not align with that of the United States.

Duterte's regime has been in power in the Philippines for only a few months. However, according to a Washington Post report by Ishaan Tharoor, he has repeatedly made vulgar comments about America's president and envoy in Manila. He has regularly threatened to force U.S. Speacial Forces out of his country, where that unit has a long history of operating. 

As Duterte goes about breaking off some ties with the United States, he still remains very popular in the Philippines, according to published reports. Still, in 2015, 92 percent of Filipinos responded they had a favorable view of the United States, while only 54 percent held a favorable view of China. 

Just how Duterte's actions will influence U.S.-Philippine relations in the long run is unclear, and U.S. State Department officials have remained surprisingly quiet thus far during the ongoing global drama surrounding Duterte.  

Let's Dial Down the Election Drama

It has been a raucous election season this year.

FROM THE HIP

By JIM PURCELL

There is no need for me to discuss how much of a carnival act the 2016 Presidential Election season has been. Though there are two candidates involved, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, they are not the only ones taking center stage during this contest. The sharp contrast between the political and social outlooks of Americans throughout this country are also clearly on display.

There are conservatives and liberals, and they are at each other's throats. Trump and Clinton, rather than convincing people about points, seem to just reinforce existing biases in people and polarize them for the sake of the election.

It would not matter who the candidates were, in some sense, because the Democratic and Republican candidates, respectively, represent certain schools of thought. I have been alive for 50 years as an American, older than most and younger than some, but in that time I have seen my fair share of politics. I cannot remember a time when political campaigns looked so much like armed camps.

At this point, it is Mr. Trump who is saying he may or may not accept the results of the General Election: He said he will if he wins and will not if he doesn't. Yet, this is dangerous rhetoric at a time when tensions are running so high between the major parties and the respective outlooks of those who are their adherents.

Innocent people should never be at risk because of politics. And, if Mr. Trump loses the election and continues down this road with his rhetoric, there may be violence if he doesn't have their way. Win or lose, American elections are sacred because they prevent domestic wars and violence. What Mr. Trump is saying right now isn't free speech as much as it is falsely yelling "Fire!" in a crowded movie theater.

Frankly, neither Mr. Trump or Mrs. Clinton can be accused of having sound judgment. Neither are the best choices for president of this nation and leader of the free world. They are the candidates we have and not the candidates this nation deserves.

Perhaps the most important thing to consider here is that we are one nation, will remain one nation, and have to learn to get along with each other to a certain degree. There would not otherwise be a Civil War. There would, however, be violent incidents where innocent people would get hurt for someone's politics. Our nation has enough problems with innocent people being murdered in its streets -- Americans do not need new reasons to shoot at each other or blow each other up. And, as adults -- any adults -- each of us should know that senseless violence solves nothing and serves only to broaden the gulf between people, not build any kind of bridge.

I have been to the Middle East, to Northern Ireland (during the Troubles in the 1980s) and to Central America (also in the 1980s) and all of these troubled areas have some things in common: Stupidity on a grand scale, the inability for people to respect one another, the need for some people to condescend to other people. If there is violence on the heels of this election, rest assured that Donald Trump will do none of it and experience none of it. He is merely instigating this nonsense. The election is the revolution that happens in this country every four years, and that is it.

Mrs. Clinton is not the world's greatest choice as president. She is leading in the polls now, so some see her as a favorite. During the November election, millions of people will come out and vote and it may be Mrs. Clinton who wins, or Mr. Trump. But, holding such an election with a metaphoric pistol to the head of the American people is not 'fine,' or 'OK.' It is skirting a line, which is not rebellious or crafty, but dangerous and unhealthy. Whomever wins, wins; whomever loses, loses. No more theater -- really -- there has been far too much of that, even for a Presidential Election.

Kansas Crusaders Face Possible Life Sentences

Photo by Jim Purcell

Three Kansas men were arrested on Federal charges.

FOLLOW-UP REPORT

By JIM PURCELL

According to the United States Justice Department Office of Public Affairs, three Kansas men, Curtis Allen and Gavin Wright, both 49, and Patrick Eugene Stein, 47, could face a charge of conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction (explosives), as it involved an alleged plot to detonate explosions outside of an apartment complex in Garden City, Kansas. Reportedly, a number of Somali and Muslim immigrants live and worship very nearby.

The prosecutors for the case, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin and Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall of the District of Kansas, are bringing the matter to court for the state.

Carlin said the charges are based on an eight-month-long investigation into the group that Allen, Wright and Stein belong to, which is known as the "Crusaders."

Beall stated that this could very well be a matter of ferreting out domestic terrorists. He noted, "Protecting our nation from such attacks, whether they are rooted in domestic or international terrorism, is our highest priority."

According to the criminal complaint against the three Crusaders, the group conducted surveillance "to identify potential targets, stockpiled firearms, ammunition and explosive components, and planned to issue a manifesto in conjunction with the planned bombing."

If convicted of all charges, the men face a maximum sentence of life in prison within the Federal Prison System.

Investigating agencies included: the FBI, Liberal Police Department, the Seward County Sheriff's Office, the Ford County Sheriff's Office, the Dodge City Police Department, the Finney County Sheriff's Officer and the Kansas Highway Patrol, among others.

Charles Whitman shooting spree is focus of new movie

Charles Whitman

By JIM PURCELL

It was on Aug. 1, 1966 when the call came out over police radios throughout Austin, Texas that Charles Whitman, an architectural engineering student and former USMC sniper, climbed the clock tower at the University of Texas. He would go on to shoot 49 people, of which 18 died -- including a woman carrying a child and Whitman himself. Previously during that fateful day, Whitman had killed not only his wife, but also his own mother.

Whitman was perhaps one of America's first mass killers, a distinction that shouldn't bring any honor to him.

Meanwhile, a new documentary film, titled "Tower," is being directed by Keith Maitland. Reportedly, he is using animation, combined with original news photographs from the scene, to recount the events of that terrible day. Testimonials from eight of the survivors from the shooting spree are included in this film.

The film has already started opening in theaters around the country. One of the goals of this film is to strike a contrast between the reactions of society then to those of today, where incidents of spree shootings have become horrifyingly common.

Kansas Crusaders taken in on alleged terrorism charges

FIRST REPORT

By JIM PURCELL

Two out of three members of the "Crusaders" militia group, Gavin Wright and Curtis Allen, have been taken into custody by Kansas police after they reportedly began planning the placement of car bombs outside a Somali-Muslim enclave of Garden City, Kansas.

Gavin Wright and Curtis Allen have been arrested in Kansas.

In an Oct. 16, 2016 published report by Cleve R. Wootson, a staffer for The Washington Post, the two Crusaders sought to embolden other domestic groups to action against Muslim immigrants. "The only f----- way this country's ever going to get turned around is it will be a blood and it will be a nasty, messy mother-----," Stein reportedly said.

The suspects in the case had reportedly begun to recon the proposed bombing site regularly, hurling insults at local Muslims as they studied the area. Finally, in September, the Federal Government strengthened its case against the pair when an FBI employee posed as a gunrunner and gained Wright and Allen's confidence. In the last discussion with the undercover agent, Stein allegedly told the agent that Allen's girlfriend was being a problem and she "needs to disappear."

The girlfriend stated that Allen had beat her during an argument involving finances. She reportedly told police officers during a previous incident that Allen had access to firearms.

Hershey, Mondelez failed deal brings peril

STRAIGHT FROM THE HIP

By JIM PURCELL

American manufacturing isn't what it was when I was growing up. I am 50 years old and I, as well as everyone from my era, remembers an America that doesn't exist anymore. There are a lot of reasons for that, and I refuse to try and cherry pick. However, when major American businesses get bought out by foreign investors then it is every American that loses and not just a few. This is when America looks a little less like America and is a chief cause of American jobs moving to Asia or Eastern Europe.

I think something like that could happen with the possible sale of the Hershey Company, which is the largest manufacturer of chocolate in North America. Hershey is as American as apple pie, the flag and bowling...but it might not stay that way, in my opinion.

On October 14, I reported on a trending story about the Hershey Company's CEO, J.P. Bilbrey. He announced he will be stepping aside from Hershey effective next July. This marks the third such exit for a Hershey CEO during the past 10 years. It is not unknown that Hershey has been interested in being bought out, and the latest company that was interested was Mondelez International, based in New Jersey. Was Bilbrey stepping down a result of the Mondelez deal falling apart about seven weeks ago? I do not know, but I believe that is one possible answer.

To add insult to injury, one of the other consequences of the deal between Hershey and Mondelez not going through with a pact is that Mondelez has gone from hunter to hunted as a company.

Here is my concern with the deal that wasn't: Mondelez is an international confectioner and producer of food and beverages. They provide American jobs, they are vested not in the Ukraine or China, but here at home. This is not to say the company doesn't have international interests -- but it has not abandoned its American roots. They know the importance of American jobs and they are one of the brightspots in American industry, in my opinion.

So now, I concluded that not only is Hershey vulnerable to foreign acquisition but, according to published reports, so is Mondelez. Of course, there are always things that people do not see in deals. The deals between private companies are not transparent, nor should they be. But, from what I see this is trouble for the AMERICAN candy industry.

Why?

Well, thanks for asking. I am a former NBA Basketball fan. I am a 'former fan' because a Russian investor came out of nowhere and took my New Jersey Nets to Brooklyn for the sake of marketing. I never heard of him before the Nets deal, and I am not alone in that. The buyer came out of nowhere and, with a wave of his checkbook, changed the demographics of the sport.

There are numerous examples of this practice. Well, I do not want my Hershey's chocolate bar made in Hong Kong or in the Urals. I like the idea that Americans work hard and get paid a living wage, contribute to the economy and have enough security to be able to raise families decently -- all behind that candy bar I buy every now and again.

With both of these companies vulnerable to sale, I think that this is a danger for the American industrial status quo. If one or both of these companies leave the United States it would not just be a defeat for the scores of families effected but for all of us. It would take another small chunk out of the American mosaic -- and there has already been enough chunks taken out as it is.

Bloomberg: Wells Fargo Hit With Major Lawsuit

By JIM PURCELL

According to a published report by Bloomberg staffer Suzanne Woolley today, Oct. 16, 2016, Wells Fargo customers have "lodged countless complaints" about Wells Fargo & Co. employees opening up sham accounts in their names.

In addition, Wells Fargo has been fined a record $185 million by the Consumer Protection Bureau, resulting in a 12-percent drop in the company's stock. In a published report by Jacklyn Willie, the Bloomberg staffer, an alleged illegal "cross selling scheme" on the part of bank employees a class-action lawsuit has been leveled against the bank: Allen v. Wells Fargo, D. Minn., No. 0:16-cv-03405, filed on Oct. 7, 2016.

Wille reported that the new lawsuit claims the bank permitted its workers to continue re-investing retirement savings in the company's stock, despite being aware that stock prices were being artificially inflated due to the cross-selling scheme.

Provide effective earned incentives that will reduce legal sanctions

By David H. Kerr                 

The article below from the National Consumer Law Center accurately describes what has become a “two tier system” of criminal justice.  Here is a summary paragraph of what they are saying:

“Across the country, onerous fines and fees pose a fundamental challenge to a fair and effective criminal justice system. By disproportionately burdening poor people with financial sanctions, and by jailing people who lack the means to pay, many jurisdictions have created a two-tiered system of criminal justice. Unchecked, these policies drive mass incarceration. Excessive fees and fines needlessly enmesh poor people in the criminal justice system by spawning arrests, court proceedings, periods of incarceration, and other modes of supervision for those who lack the ability to pay. Criminal justice debt also contributes to mass incarceration….”  From the National Consumer Law Center.  See complete article below.

The article below makes its point and ironically, some of the tactics now used to exact justice are contributing to more crime and more incarceration.  In short, we’re trying to “drum it out of them” and it’s not working.  Some believe that if they don’t comply with the law, we should fine them and incarcerate them more and more. 

From my experience, this personal debt is a byproduct of many issues:

a childhood of poverty, street fights, accelerating arrests and punishment, negative “street role models,” available drugs, joining the lucrative drug trafficking business, yearning to be a high level criminal and “street boss,” poor hygiene and lack of healthy living habits. 

Promising children from “the hood” often learn how to survive and gain respect in a negative street culture, and they soon adopt the criminal lifestyle.  Jail and prison are almost inevitable and in fact can be interpreted and recognized in “the hood” as an earned badge of toughness and respect.

We all must respect the rule of law but it’s pretty obvious that many don’t and this has presented a problem and cost to society for hundreds of years.  To help hardcore criminals; prisoners and addicts and law breakers, we have to understand them and listen to what they say about the system and our “rule of law.”  They often break the law as part of their own survival and all too often for street recognition.  If our “rule of law” interferes with their ability to survive and be recognized, then there will never be any significant change in crime rate and the associated costs such as probation, parole, prison and many others.  It’s almost like we’re trying to teach them English and they only understand “street.”  We won’t understand them and they won’t understand us. 

They must have an incentive that motivates them and here’s my idea of what that might  be: 

 Offer earned time off of imposed legal sanctions for those who participate in activities that contribute to their own personal improvement and that of others.

From my experience, the key incentive for a criminal and/or criminal addict is “what’s in it for me.”  Well, what can we do with that statement?  The answer is everything!  Create a system where an inmate can earn time offfrom his/her prison sentence, and/or parole or probation, and things will likely improve.

When an addict with a criminal justice history is arrested for a crime related to drugs for example, there should be an option to establish and regularly use critically helpful community agency help.  To the extent that this help promotes treatment, clean and sober living and the start of a new positive drug free lifestyle, legally mandated time on probation or in prison or on parole might be reduced.  The key is that the sustained & validated good behavior, employment, clean urines and good reports from the family, would have a major impact on reducing legal sanctions i.e. probation time, prison time and/or parole time.  The recovering addict or former criminal will feel the pride in that he or she was finally responsible for something good happening to him/her.  The experience of sustained “right living” and associated family and legal affirmation and recognition, has for years been the catalyst for lasting change.  It’s real and it’s earned and I’ve seen this happen hundreds of times in my 50 years of experience working with criminal and/or delinquent addicts.

We might want to rebuild our criminal justice system to allow for criminals to work off any and all sanctions associated with their arrest.  This idea is different than the drug court model for example in that there will be no automatic court ordered reduction of sentence.  Instead, all legal court ordered punishment will be subject to reduction based on the efforts of the inmate, probationer or parolee.  This system should be allowed for all former criminals, no matter what their crime.

The article below from the National Consumer Law Center accurately describes what has become a "two tier system" of criminal justice.  Here is a summary paragraph of what they are saying:

 "Across the country, onerous fines and fees pose a fundamental challenge to a fair and effective criminal justice system. By disproportionately burdening poor people with financial sanctions, and by jailing people who lack the means to pay, many jurisdictions have created a two-tiered system of criminal justice. Unchecked, these policies drive mass incarceration. Excessive fees and fines needlessly enmesh poor people in the criminal justice system by spawning arrests, court proceedings, periods of incarceration, and other modes of supervision for those who lack the ability to pay. Criminal justice debt also contributes to mass incarceration...."  From the National Consumer Law Center.  See complete article below.

The article below makes its point and ironically, some of the tactics now used to exact justice are contributing to more crime and more incarceration.  In short, we're trying to "drum it out of them" and it's not working.  Some believe that if they don't comply with the law, we should fine them and incarcerate them more and more. 

From my experience, this personal debt is a byproduct of many issues:

a childhood of poverty, street fights, accelerating arrests and punishment, negative "street role models," available drugs, joining the lucrative drug trafficking business, yearning to be a high level criminal and "street boss," poor hygiene and lack of healthy living habits. 

Promising children from "the hood" often learn how to survive and gain respect in a negative street culture, and they soon adopt the criminal lifestyle.  Jail and prison are  almost inevitable and in fact can be interpreted and recognized in "the hood" as an earned badge of toughness and respect.

We all must respect the rule of law but it's pretty obvious that many don't and this has presented a problem and cost to society for hundreds of years.  To help hardcore criminals; prisoners and addicts and law breakers, we have to understand them and listen to what they say about the system and our "rule of law."  They often break the law as part of their own survival and all too often for street recognition.  If our "rule of law" interferes with their ability to survive and be recognized, then there will never be any significant change in crime rate and the associated costs such as probation, parole, prison and many others.  It's almost like we're trying to teach them English and they only understand "street."  We won't understand them and they won't understand us. 

They must have an incentive that motivates them and here's my idea of what that might be:

Offer earned time off of imposed legal sanctions for those who participate in activities that contribute to their own personal improvement and that of others.

From my experience, the key incentive for a criminal and/or delinquent addict is "what's in it for me."  Well, what can we do with that statement?  The answer is everything!  Create a system where an inmate can earn time off from his/her prison sentence, and/or parole or probation, and things will likely improve.  This type of system will also significantly safe tax dollars.

When an addict with a criminal justice history is arrested for a crime related to drugs for example, there should be an option to establish and regularly use critically helpful community agency help.  To the extent that this help promotes treatment, clean and sober living and the start of a new positive drug free lifestyle, legally mandated time on probation or in prison or on parole might be reduced. 

The key is that the sustained & validated good behavior, employment, clean urines and good reports from the family, would have a major impact on reducing legal sanctions i.e. probation time, prison time and/or parole time.  The recovering addict or former criminal will feel the pride in that he or she was finally responsible for something good happening to him/her.  The experience of sustained "right living" and associated family and legal affirmation and recognition, has for years been the catalyst for lasting change.  It's real and it's earned and I've seen this happen hundreds of times in my 50 years of experience working with criminal and/or delinquent addicts.  That said, our present legal system is not set up effectively recognize and reward consistent positive action.

We might want to rebuild our criminal justice system to allow for criminals to work off any and all sanctions associated with their arrest.  The positive experience with the drug court model is a good example of a system based on incentives.  Taking this model further, all legal court ordered punishment will be subject to reduction based on the efforts of the inmate, probationer or parolee.  This system should be allowed for nearly all criminals with few exceptions.

TO THE POINT

MTI IBD is a great company that makes a difference in the lives of literally hundreds of veterans. MTI operates three main programs: The Foxhole Cafe, Veterans Greenhouse and Jobs2Vets. They have a website and I encourage veterans, particularly those in New Jersey, to check it out. Click on this link.

The candy man can...step aside now

By JIM PURCELL

The Wall Street Journal, in an article written by Annie Gasparro, reported yesterday afternoon, Oct. 14, 2016, that Hershey Company CEO J.P. Bilbrey, 60, is stepping down from his post. Reportedly, the move comes on the heels of Bilbrey failing to make a deal to sell Hershey to Mondelez International, Inc. Meanwhile, Bilbrey's departure marks the passing of the third CEO of the company leaving within the past 10 years.

J.P. Bilbrey

Mondelez is a New Jersey-based company with its company headquarters operating from East Hanover. The company has made its mark being a multinational confectionary and food and beverage producer.

Though Mr. Bilbrey is stepping down as the CEO by next July (2017), he will remain with the company as chairman.

The deal with Mondelez reportedly fell through approximately seven weeks ago, marking a major disappointment for Hershey investors and executives.

The Hershey Company was founded in February, 1894 by Milton Hershey. As it grew through the years, it has come to be the largest chocolate manufacturer in North America

Longest reigning monarch in the world dies

THIS JUST IN...

By JIM PURCELL

The longest-reigning monarch in the world, King Bhumibol Adulyadei, 88, died in a Bangkok, Thailand hospital today. His reign over the Thai people lasted 70 years and 126 days, after being installed as the head of state on June 9, 1946.

The king will be succeeded by Maha Vajiralongkorn, whom the late monarch named crown prince in 1972.

During his reign, in 1992, Bhumibol played a major role in bringing his country into a democratic system of governance. Throughout his tenure, he often negotiated peaceful situations between military protagonists within the Thai military and in the political world.

On December 4, 2002, Bhumibol launched his country's own war on drugs, seeking to rid "every square inch of the country from drugs."

Later in his life, during 2006, the king suffered from lumbar spinal stenosis. The king was also treated for a brain ailment, and was treated for depression and Parkinson's Disease, among others.

Meanwhile, away from his state role, Bhumibol was known as a painter, musician, photographer, author and translator. In addition, he was known to be a sailing enthusiast, as well as boat builder and designer.

Cold War tensions raise their ugly head again

By JIM PURCELL

Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, has cancelled an Oct. 19 visit to France over a comment by French President Francois Hollande.

It's being reported that Hollande characterized at least some Syrian national forces' conduct at the recent Battle of Aleppo as a "war crime."

The purpose of the cancelled visit was to assist in the inauguration of a Russian Orthodox church near the Eiffel Tower. Some Russian foreign policy experts are likening current hostilities between France and Russia as reminiscent of the Cold War.

This comes on the heels of Russia threatening the United States should it attack Syrian nationalist forces within Syria. Reportedly, Russian military elements would directly attack U.S. service personnel, according to published reports, should they intervene to assist Syrian rebels.

The recent tensions have prompted some analysts, throughout the globe, to speculate about possible larger military implications between the U.S. and Russia.

In my opinion, the world has arrived at a dangerous place. Though Russia is not the great power the former Soviet Union was back in the 1980s and before, it is nonetheless a power that could contribute to a third world war. Being a veteran of the Cold War, who served in Europe as a soldier in the 1980s, I recall the dread that potential hostilities between the U.S. and the USSR gave to the world at large. Why? Because no one -- no one -- wins in a thermonuclear showdown.

It was a great relief to my generation when the former Soviet Union collapsed and the fingers came off the red buttons in Eastern Europe and North America. Nothing is worth a Third World War, Nothing. Despite claims to the contrary by radical commentators and self-interested groups, the end of the world would actually not benefit anyone in any way, and one of the main purposes of government in the modern era (be it government in either nation) is to avoid just such a possibility.

Brinksmanship is a poor substitution for foreign policy, no matter whom is at question.

Cops bust alleged antiquities smuggling ring in sting

                                         Photo by Jim Purcell

By JIM PURCELL

The Associated Press reported on Oct. 6 that an alleged antiquities smuggling ring was uncovered during a 14-month investigation in western Greece by police.

More than 2,000 artifacts and documents were recovered and 26 people were taken into custody by authorities at the Southern Patras Police Directorate.

The report said the oldest objects involved dated back to the 6th century BCE and that archaeological sites from across Greece were targeted. Allegedly, the ill-gotten treasures were then put up for sale in auction houses in Germany and Australia.

If convicted of all crimes, the alleged perpetrators face between 5 and 25 years for the crimes alleged against them.

Arizona survivor dies; to be interred with shipmates

The Iowa class battleship (above) entered service because the
U.S. Navy's battleship fleet was destroyed at Pearl Harbor.  

By JIM PURCELL

In the town of Providence, Rhode Island a few weeks back, on Sept. 27, another piece of American history faded into its storied past when Raymond Haerry, Sr. passed to eternity. He was one of only six remaining survivors from the USS Arizona following the Japanese attack on the morning of Dec, 7, 1941.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was the signal for U.S. entry into World War II. 

Reportedly, Mr. Haerry's son, Raymond Haerry, Jr., said his father ran an anti-aircraft gun about the Arizona. However, when he tried to get to ammunition for his station a bomb detonated in the area of his father before he could return fire on marauding planes.

Thrown into the flaming water, Haerry Sr. reportedly returned small arms fire on the aircraft after he swam back to the shore. In all, nearly four-fifths of the crew died on the dreadnought that day: 1,177 service personnel in all.

According to Haerry Jr., his father will rejoin his old shipmates aboard the Arizona, when his ashes are interred aboard her.

Neither Clinton or Trump are the best choice to be Prez

By JIM PURCELL

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are not simply political candidates this year -- they are a phenomenon. USA Today recently noted that Trump and Clinton are actually the least liked or wanted mainstream presidential candidates in the history of the United States. Now, that is saying something. There have been some awful candidates for president from among both parties.

Like everyone else this year, I have a candidate from among them that I dislike less than the other one. But, this isn't really about who will win or lose, or who is better, who did worse things between Clinton or Trump. What this is about is that, for the most powerful country in the world, two candidates were selected to run for our nation's highest post during the 2016 Presidential Race and -- really -- neither one of them, regardless of who wins, is the best choice for the office.

I was reading a letter to the editor, actually, and came upon a Maine man, Mr. David Hendren, of Randolph, who recently said that neither Trump or Hillary are "acceptable" enough for him to receive his vote. Well, I agree, Mr. Hendren.

How did it all go so wrong? Most people in the media and on the street think Mrs. Clinton will win the election. I think that is very possible. But, is she the best leader from among her party to hold the highest office in the land? Not in my opinion. Meanwhile, Mr. Trump is certainly not the best example of Republican leadership that can be pointed out.

I will not elaborate on the failings of either Mrs. Clinton or Mr. Trump. The media is so preoccupied with their shortfalls it would be redundant. I will say this: Either Mrs. Clinton or Mr. Trump is going to become president...and it's a heck of a shame.

MTI is a force for good in helping veterans

There is a non-profit veterans organization that is coming into view now that really deserves the attention of Americans interested in helping veterans. MTI is an organization that has many hands. It operates a Veteran's Greenhouse, the Foxhole Cafe and the Jobs2Vets Program at the Lyons Campus of the VA New Jersey Healthcare System, in New Jersey.

Recently, NJ.com printed a story in its Online edition about the Veterans Greenhouse and it's worthy reading for those interested in rehabilitation for veterans.

For more information about MTI, call (973) 224-6667.