The current solution simply is not working.
I started this topic to see if anyone might have a better idea.
I am hoping someone does.

Well here goes,I do not like drugs what so ever, but they are here and people do need help.
The more people we get behind bars is not going to fix the problem, they need help but sometimes they bite the hand that feeds them.I have no ideal what to do, but building a big giant jail house is not going to fix our,and there problem.It's a sad deal and if I could I would wave a magic wand and make it go away, but it's the real world.(All the kids in this, I feel very sorry for) They need our help too.

I am an alcoholic and drug addict - and always will be. I am just not a practicing drug addict or alcoholic, as I have been sober and clean since December 30, 1972. And yes, I still take it "One Day At A Time!" I am also medically retired (due to injuries inflicted during the Vietnam War becoming much worse) from working almost thirty years in substance abuse treatment, as well and both inpatient and out patient psychological counseling in private, state, and federal programs. While this does not tell you who I am, it does tell you the basis of my position.

First, your are very correct in you assessment the "current solution simply is not working." To begin with, it is not a solution and it has no chance of success or "working." If the goal (solution) of our community leaders is to just lock them up and punish the entire family, repeatedly - then the only course of action is to build bigger and bigger jails with increased taxes to pay for the construction, maintenance and additional personnel it would need in order to function. This is just neither feasible nor reasonable as it only creates more problems and solves nothing. I refuse to believe our community members and leaders would support such a plan. I also believe there are many individuals within our community with the training, knowledge, and wisdom to address this problem in a more effective manner.

You all have taken the first step which is to identify the problem(s). That is where you are - point A. Then you must identify what you want to accomplish, or the goal - which is point B. Then is the time for the people to identify the different roads that can get you from point A to point B. There will be many different roads to review, but then you choose which route will get you from point A to point B with the least amount of cost in relationship to the greatest chance of accomplishing you intended goal.

While it may sound simple, it is not! The most effective program I have seen working is Drug Court. I know they have a very good program in Fayetteville, Arkansas and I was recently informed of a similar program in the Poteau court system. I would be willing to discuss additional information if there is a real interest. I do believe something can and must be done to stop the cycle of drug use, abuse, addiction and the destructive effects each stage takes on individuals, children, families, communities and our community resources.

Respectfully,
Makinmusic

It appears I was gravely mistaken in my previous belief regarding our community members and leaders as we will be paying more taxes to build a bigger jail. While I agree a jail is needed in order to avoid having the current jail shut down, is it really necessary to build one at the cost quoted in the local paper - which by the way, will not be the total cost! I have yet to see any government building completed at the agreed upon cost or completed by the agreed upon time. There will also be additional costs related to extra staff, utilities, furnishing, supplies, insurance, etc., etc., etc. - never mind the extra frills that will be added which will have no bearing on the purpose of the facility.

If jails are meant only to confine people who have broken the laws of society - after arrest, until trial (if no bond is set or paid) and after conviction until the State "finds" room in their overcrowded facilities - then it makes no sense, in any manner, to build anything but the most "bare bones", totally secure, no frills facility that meets State requirements.

I am equally amazed a tax was approved to house prisoners, while failing to pass a tax to improve the learning enviroment of the grade school. Have our leaders even bothered to really look at facilities our children - our future! - are required to occupy?

Perhaps the choice of a new jail it is due to the importance placed on tablets of stone - which are quotes of Old Testament LAWS that were given to the children of Israel who needed the restrictions because they did not have access to the Saving Grace of God of the New Testament - rather than the shaping of young lives or reforming/redeeming our lost sheep. One only needs to look at their financial ledger to determine what is of greatest importance in one's life.

Respectfully,
Makinmusic

What will the new jail need next ...? maybe a cattle guard would help. round em up head um out yee haw.

I hate to admit this but I did not vote on this. I know we need a new jail but do we need to spend this much on it? I hope they don't farm all this out to company's out of the county or out of state. I'm sure some of it cant be done locally but this could be a huge boost to the local economy if it is used right. Keeping my fingers crossed.
As far as the school was concerned, well I cant say on a public forum what I think of that deal. Several schools had built new facilities recently for about half of what they were asking for. Something just didn't look right with that. People may be sheep but even a sheep will bolt when it sees a wolf

ONE REASON...IT'S NOT WORKING....WHEN IT COMES TO: ADDICTION & IT'S BASIC CAUSE...is because
No One has bothered to Understand...Where the Basic Cause of Addiction, begins or should end...
When the Answer is So Easy...a person could be bitten by the danger of it...before they could realize what would be / is happening to them.

Addiction is exactly what is says it is: Habitual Behavior...to Caffeine / Illegal Drugs / Rx's / Over the Counter Substances, which "force an individual to FEEL GOOD"...but end up "FEELING DRAGGED OUT"
and of Ill-Health.

The Bible has a set of Instructions, of which we should comply...and to Deny Obedience to those Instructions...leads anyone down a path of Self-Destruction...not just Adversely Effecting themselves, but their family members / Neighborhood Society / Local Society - State Society - U.S. Society.

When the Bible is studied properly, one can fully understand, or should, that these words are Truth:
"Ye are formed from the Dust of the Earth....to Earth Ye will return".

Well, one thing that THE DUST OF THE EARTH CONTAINS...IS ...GRAVITY...and Gravity...Creates Motion...Motion creates Movement...and Movement Creates Infection....it can also Create a Beginning of an Infection...depending on whether there is an Unhealthy Genetic, in the Pathway of that Movement...of Gravity...that Promotes ACTION...a MOVEMENT...a MOTION !

And in determining this factor...I ...went back in time...to the Beginning of America, when Colonization & Civilizetion was the Focus in America...and as I began to study the Movement of the Emigrants I found a Pattern...to the Way that Civilization took place in America...of the Land & it's Inhabitants...

The Colonization of America, began with Military Soldiers...and any Peace-Making always takes the Actions / Movements, by Military Soldiers, whether they have been Volunteers, listed as Indigent, and / or, Fully Compensated with Medical / Housing / Financial Status....etc.

For centuries, Military Soldiers, have been the Basic Causes of Ill-Health, in Foreign Lands, and in America, too.

And as the Centuries have "Come to Pass"...each generation has had some idea...of how Ill-Health
has been a part of the lives of the people....and the Ill-Health has been from a Basic Cause of
Gravity, as each generation, in each century...made discoveries, which have to do with the Production
of Natural Resources...the Elements from the Belly of the Earth...Elements of Ore(s) which are Very
Highly Toxic to the Human Body.

For anyone who studies Science & Health, at any level, the information is there...for determining
How Gravity Works, with the Earth and with All Movements of Air / Water / Land / Brain Chemistry
of the Human Body, and it is up to the Individual, as to How They Can...Understand the Effects
(Positive, and / or, Negative) about How Gravity can Adversely Effect the Central Nervous System of the Human Body.

PREVENTION OF HABITUAL BEHAVIORS ?? Well, once the Bug has Bitten a Person...how can you rid your mind and your body...of the DESIRE TO USE / ABUSE...a Substance, which you have begun to FEEL IS HELPING YOU...TO ACHIEVE GREATER ACTIVITY / GREATER AMOUNT OF BOLDNESS...and Notoriety...than you would otherwise, be able to accomplish.....

BUT, IS IT WORTH IT....TO PARTICIPATE...in Unhealthy Behaviors ?? You are the Only-One who is "In Charge, of Your Life...& ONLY YOU CAN ...MAKE A DECISION...TO CHANGE...HABITS / BEHAVIORS", in
your own life, that can bring improvement to the surroundings in which you live / work / play.

THIS TOO...SHALL PASS....and "WE THE PEOPLE"....WILL PASS THIS WAY...ONLY..."ONCE IN A LIFETIME ! "

iF "WE THE PEOPLE" REPEAT & REPEAT THE SAME HABITS...& EXPECT DIFFERENT RESULTS...THEN
WE WILL BE SADLY MISTAKEN...for the End-Results...will Always Be the Same...TIL WE DECIDE TO
CREATE A CHANGE IN OUR OWN LIVES...& Learn to Live...Without...Confusion / Unhealthy Behaviors,
in Our Own Lives.

When the Words are spoken of: "Keep It Simple"...how much plainer can it be said, than that?

KEEP IT SIMPLE....Set Priorities...ONE DAY AT A TIME...One Step At a Time...FAITH & BELIEVING
AND ACTING UPON THAT FAITH...Keeps the Wheels turning...and Success in Life...in Front of You..
Always.....for the Power...Which is Greater than All Mankind...is the PUSH...of the Motion...that
Can Help Anyone Achieve a Goal...of Change.

I truly believe this, to be so...and you will too...if you TAKE THAT FIRST STEP...and keeping stepping
into the Path that can Bring Peace of Mind and Serenity...to You & Your Loved Ones.

Sincerely,
One American Lady
Hazel Davis
Email: bojacks1@yahoo.com

I do Not Believe that "Anyone is Always...any particular type of Individual"...such as those words of:
"I am an alcoholic / I am an Addict...Always to remain so"....This is foolish to believe that YOU ARE
SOMETHING OF WHICH YOU ARE NOT....

In other words...you wish to Stay Classified, as what someone has Ingrained into You...to say & do,
when...You Do Not Have to Be that way...except by Choice...and KEEPING YOUR MIND ON ALCOHOLISM
AND ADDICTION.

Habits are like anything else...they can be changed to fit the environment...and self-will of the individual.

Many individuals are required, for medical reasons, to use / consume...substances that have
addictive contents...but this does not mean, that...the individual is an Addict.

There is such a diagnosis as Sickness...that Cannot Be Reversed...unless there is a Cure for that
particular Sickness.

Wellness...is an important part of life...and I concentrate on Wellness...while still realizing that
some parts of my life...cannot be reversed..nor can I live without a certain type of substance
which can stabilize my life...for me to have a Balance of the Mind & Soul...Physical / Emotional /
Mentally.

I have attended such programs as groups which promote sobriety...and I do believe that "Having
a Lifeline"...will help sustaine anyone's life...

Sobriety Group Support, works Only If You Choose that as a Lifeline...for you to discuss openly,
your issues with life...but a Group Support is Not the Only Source of LIFELINE...

I have assisted almost 4,000 Military Veterans across America, and in many lives with them, most
have Displaced Family Members...and there is an Astounding Fact...about military families, which
many people Do Not Realize:

Most, if not all...children & youth...who go into foster / adopt homes, ARE FROM MILITARY CONNECTED FAMILIES...

Most, if not all...individuals...who are participating / forced to participate in Drug Courts - Kids Court -
become Inmates in Jails / Prisons...ARE FROM AN ANCESTORY OF MILITARY CONNECTIONS...Combat
Soldiers.

Have any of you read the U.S. Constitution / Bill of Rights...where it mentions...having a Security of
Respect & Dignity...?

Ask yourself...How Respectful is it...that this many children & youth...are NOT REMAINING AS PART
OF THEIR OWN BLOODLINEAGE FAMILY CONNECTIONS ? (If at all possible).

I am Not Gonna Set Claim to Anything to Which I Am Not...yet in my younger years I was a User of
Substances, which had a Content of Addictive Substances...but I have been able to Learn to Live
without them...I HAD TO SET-LIMITS OF PHYSICAL / EMOTIONAL / MENTAL ...ACTIVITIES...tho,
and adjust my life...to Fit My Personality / My Character...& Not Fit, What Others, believe should
be in my life...

I still provide assistance to Military Veterans / Widows of Veterans...I teach a Veteran / Military Family
about "All the VA Benefits to which they are / can be eligible"...and most generally, when the applications are submitted the assistance is provided...or else I help the individual, find out Why those
Benefits are Not Available.

I have been successful in getting some laws passed at the U.S. level of government, which can and
will bring improvement & extended medical / healthcare to U.S. Military Soldiers / Veterans & to Military
Connected Family Members, across America.

One of these such laws, is THE RURAL VETERANS ACCESS TO CARE ACT 2008, co-sponsored by
U.S. Congressman Dan Boren...of whom I am proud that he is there...to serve on Behalf of the
Military Connected Families.

DO LEARN TO "SPEAK OUT, IN YOUR OWN DEFENSE"...IT TAKES ONE ACTION / ONE MOVEMENT /
ONE PERSON...TO ...MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOCIETY...FOR YOURSELF & YOUR LOVED ONES.

Take a Chance on Yourself...YOU HAVE SELF-WORTH...Accept that Value...Put Forth an Effort
to Change Any Unhealthy Habits, in your life...and the Rest Will Be Taken Care of...by the King
of Kings...Lord of Lords...a Higher Power than All of Mankind.

LET GO...LET GOD...as the saying goes...It's just as Simple, as that.

Sincerely,
One American Lady
Hazel Davis
Email: bojacks1@yahoo.com