In the last few weeks it has come to our attention that Texas state funding
for
rehabilation has run out. From discussion with Texas State Rep. assistant
to Elliott Naishtat, Nicole Saunders she mentioned that due to mismanagement
and other factors with the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug abuse
( TCADA ) people are now being turned away for help. A friend of ours James
M. Morgan has informed us of the benefit of the Austin Recovery Center in
Austin, Texas which recieves state funding. On Saturday, 8 April we visited
this center and heard testamony from roughly a dozen folks who praised the
efforts
going on there and for providing education and assistance for their problems.
Many had spent time in prison and mentioned that the time spent there was
totally destructive for them their family and friends.
Reports concerning the prison industry is on the rise. We also feel that
there is plenty a waste and mismanagement in the prison industry. Nationwide
almost
two million people are incarcerated. Over half of these people are imprisoned
for victimless, non- violent alledged crimes against the state. More funding
is
added to prison facilities nationwide and America has the largest prison
population per capita in the world including Russia. The trend of locking
people
up and throwing away the key is becoming the standard. We feel this is a
sad commentary for the United States of America. Supposedly, this growing
prison industry is accepted by a majority of people in America. The
majority is not always right. Remember the people have a history of voting
for tyrants.
America should be a country based upon freedom and humanity. The choice
between prisons ( destructive ) and rehab centers ( positive ) for non-
violent,
victimless offenders in our view is clear. We are planning to investigate
these
two choices and present a powerful video in a few months of our findings.
The hope is that enough people will be open minded to these two choices and
move
to act accordingly. More information is forthcoming as to the progress of
these
efforts. Any help or information is also welcome.
