Press Release

"Strong enforcement of our laws is important, and citizens must be held accountable for their actions. However, we need to also do a better job in rehabilitating those who are addicted if we are going to break the cycle of addiction and crime," Governor Kempthorne said. "With the MacArthur Foundation grant, we want to bring together national experts on this issue. States need to share information on promising approaches to substance abuse prevention, treatment and enforcement."

Kempthorne said he plans to make the development of effective drug strategies a cornerstone of his chairmanship. He said with the MacArthur grant and the assistance of other partners, Western states will think outside the box in building innovative programs. The work is expected to culminate with a Drug Policy Summit in the summer of 2001.

Although "supply-side" approaches to the nation’s drug problems have been particularly dominant since the early 1980s, recent research suggests that efforts on the demand side are important as well. Without treatment, three in four offenders are rearrested within three years, continuing the costly cycle of addiction and crime. However, statistics show drug treatment programs–both in prison and in the community–can reduce recidivism by half. Effective programs can also be more cost effective than incarceration alone.

The Western Governors’ Association is an independent, nonprofit organization representing the governors of 18 states, two territories and one commonwealth. Through their Association, the Western governors identify and address key policy and governance issues in natural resources, the environment, human services, economic development, international relations and public management.

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is a private, independent grantmaking institution dedicated to helping groups and individuals foster lasting improvement in the human condition. The Foundation seeks the development of healthy individuals and effective communities; peace within and among nations; responsible choices about human reproduction; and a global ecosystem capable of supporting healthy human societies. The Foundation pursues this mission by supporting research, policy analysis, dissemination, education and training, and practice.