Quote from above: "He said many of those incarcerated are not serious or violent offenders, but are low-level drug offenders. Young said one way to help lower the number is to introduce drug treatment programs that offer effective ways of changing behavior and to provide appropriate assistance for the mentally ill..

Many drug offenders have a dual diagnosis; that is they are drug addicts and they are mentally ill. In large part this is because the mentally ill that are on the streets become prey to drug pushers. With appropriate support, these people can be helped to kick their habits and make better choices.

As far as the money goes: There always seems to be enough money to wage war. Why not put the money toward prevention and rehabilitation at home? The cost of incarceration is far more than the cost of appropriate support.

As a matter of fact, there are plenty of statistics to show that many prisoners could have been helped with early intervention and education if there was more money put into our schools. You know the old saying, pay now or pay later.