Press Release

Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, Chairman of the Western Governors’ Association, and Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns told those participating in WGA’s Drug Policy Academy that their work will be an important step in reducing the rate of drug and alcohol addiction in their states. Just as important, their successful efforts could help bring under control drug-related crimes and the attendant social costs.

The governors said states are facing a losing battle in stemming the growing tide of drug addiction unless they do more with prevention, education, intervention, treatment and aftercare.

"While I do not apologize for being tough on crime, we must recognize the need for rehabilitation efforts," Kempthorne said. "I am serious about enforcing our laws - especially when it comes to methamphetamine manufacturers and dealers. But I am also sensitive to the need for compassion for those who are addicted to alcohol or drugs.

"If we only focus on the back end of the problem, putting people in prison, rather than also focusing on the front end, keeping people off these substances in the first place, we’re fighting a losing battle," Kempthorne added. "I intend to approach this issue with balance, and I intend to focus on the entire continuum--prevention, intervention, education, treatment and aftercare. Each area is important to turning the tide on substance abuse."

Gov. Johanns said a tremendous amount of money is being spent in building new prisons and staffing them, much of which is spent on drug-related crimes. The challenge is finding ways to set aside sufficient funds for treatment, including programs for those already incarcerated so they do not return to using drugs and committing drug-related crimes once they are released.

"If you can somehow build treatment into incarceration, the success is unbelievable," Johanns said. "It does not seem to matter how you get them into treatment -- voluntarily or involuntarily. They can be dragged into the room kicking and screaming and tied to the chair, and yet the positive impacts will be the same from what our studies show."

Participating in the academy are diverse teams from American Samoa, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. Participants include representatives from law enforcement, courts, public and private treatment centers, prevention programs and legislatures. A second academy will be held on Dec. 14 and 15 in Tempe, Ariz. and a Drug Policy Summit to share best practices will be held in June 2001 in Boise, Idaho.

Drug Strategies, a non profit research institute is assisting with the academy in providing research and information on what is working across the country. The institute’s president, Mathea Falco, said the drug-reduction plans developed during the academy should, in turn, serve as models for other states.

"There is a growing emphasis on ‘what works’ among lawmakers and funders that requires communities to learn from each other and implement program models with a track record of success," Falco said. She noted that substance abuse costs more than $275 billion each year for health care, lost productivity and related crime. "With limited dollars available, it is critical that states and communities wisely spend resources on programs that work."

Following their address to Drug Policy Academy participants, Govs. Johanns and Kempthorne attended a briefing on Nebraska’s efforts to address substance abuse through education, interdiction and treatment. The governors heard from law enforcement, youth counselors a recovering methamphetamine drug addict and children participating in the D.A.R.E. program.

WGA policy resolutions and other supporting material are available on WGA’s Web site at www.westgov.org.

The Western Governors’ Association is an independent, nonprofit organization representing the governors of 18 states, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. 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.

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