Cuffs won't solve the drug problem

To the editor:
For well over a month I have held back from writing this letter, but it just keeps eating at me.
What I am referring to is Portland Police Chief (Nathan) Springer’s recent statement in the paper to those in the community who are addicted to drugs that they need to “get help or we’re coming for you.”
I believe that, particularly from someone in such a position as police chief, this message was improper, poorly delivered and wrong for a number of reasons. The lack of thought put into the message speaks volumes of the lack of understanding.
Again, I do want to keep this civil and stay respectful, but damn it you took an oath to protect and serve, not to threaten and scare. I wholeheartedly agree that toward burglars, those vandalizing property and an array of other criminals, such a reprieve would be appropriate and even arguably effective.
But to the intended audience I can assure you it was neither.
Rather, given the people you took aim at, it can easily be said that such a shot likely carried the exact opposite effect. Generally speaking, when it comes to an addict in the middle of an active dependence, particularly to something as powerful as opiates, the threat of arrest does not even register.
Anyone with a clear head would read your statement and think, “All right, I’ll have to stop or they’ll put me in jail.”
But to an addict the fear is not being taken from society but being separated from the drug they are dependent on, and that takes precedence over not only freedom but nearly everything else in their lives.
Though an addict will rarely if ever admit as much until they are at or near rock bottom, it has got to be understood by us that their dependence is hands-down, by far, the single most important thing in their lives.
In most cases it has long ago stopped being a matter of finding something to get high on and is instead about getting enough to keep from being deathly sick. Most such people would unequivocally choose certain overdose in favor of suffering the strains of withdrawal.
These are the facts.
Chief Springer, I do not for one second allege your intentions were malicious in any way. But I do believe your proclamation involved much of the bravado and chest thumping this epidemic can do without and little of the compassion and understanding that this problem deserves, especially from anyone in a leadership position.
In these times we need true leadership to spark forward thinking and institute bold plans.
Just one example would be using your position to discuss with county officials the possibility of turning one cellblock at the security center into some sort of drug free/addictions unit.
Maybe instead of waiting until their situation warrants arrest, they could have a space immediately available within the community where they can come to be safe, receive a meal and get some rest as they attempt to get clean.
Instead of the threat of coming for them, perhaps you could announce that if anyone calls for such assistance your officers will provide them with a free, safe ride to the jail, no questions asked. With help from (Meridian Health Services) this arrangement might include on-site addictions counseling a number of times per week, or it might be a place addicts can utilize as they are helped to apply and be accepted in long-term in-patient treatment facilities.
We all know that hard drugs are leaving our kids without mothers and fathers, tearing apart families and altogether ravaging our communities. Even from here I see it and I get it.
I ask the community to be open-eyed and open-minded. If you know someone who suffers from an addiction, do not ever enable, excuse or condone their drug use. But don’t condemn them either.
Chief, I encourage you to keep your cuffs put away when you reach out to these people. You cannot and will not arrest your way out of this.
Larry D. Best
Pendleton Correctional Facility
Editor’s note: This letter was extensively edited because of its length.