The issue of allowing prisoners the right to alcohol and substance abuse counseling is one of great debate. Some believe that prisoners should lose all rights when they're convicted, that they should be punished profusely for their crimes in society. Others stress that prisoners are human beings and should never be denied help when needed.

Let us look at this debate in a different way. A percentage of men and women in our prison systems have suffered problems in connection with alcohol or drugs. These substances may have even contributed to the crimes they have committed. The chances increase exponentially that they will continue having problems with these substances in the future if they do not receive help to overcome them.

We must face facts. Drugs are readily available in our prisons to the inmates. When faced with the realism that life behind bars is the only thing they have to look forward to, prisoners tend to lose hope. Drugs and alcohol provide a short but much anticipated escape from that dull reality.

If we deny them the right to counseling, we are taking another giant step backward in the fight against substance abuse in this country. If prisoners see no hope of outside help on the horizon, how are they going to overcome their addictions? Some may say that they have to be strong and do it themselves. However, being behind bars is a big factor in self-esteem problems.

If everyone could overcome their addictions by themselves, than substance abuse would be far lesser a problem than it really is. If counselors are readily available to aid prisoners in their battle against alcohol and drugs, we may stop some individuals from having a relapse once they are released and perhaps see a decrease in repeat offenders.

The truth is no matter what heinous actions human beings are capable of; we are all still human beings. While I do not condone crimes, most of the time I can understand how people can fall victim to impulses or desires. We make mistakes, some greater than others. Some individuals are regretful and sorry for those mistakes. Others are not. Some seem to know only violence while others accidentally stray from the straight and narrow path. Should all of them have to suffer because of a few that force themselves to be beyond help?

Drugs and alcohol are a problem for many individuals, not just convicts. Counseling is available for those who do not suffer with denial. If one is open to it, he or she can greatly benefit from it. If you are forced into it with a closed mind and hardened heart, the journey could be a much longer and harder one. We should not deny anyone counseling for his or her problems. I fear to do so would cause great consequences in the future. We will in fact be aiding the drug trade and be promoting the acceptance of it. How will we fight it then?

Is it not in society's best interests to attempt rehabilitation with its prisoners? Have we gotten to the point where we simply want to lock people up and throw away the key, in turn forgetting they exist altogether? Do we want to shove our problems under a rug instead of facing them head-on? It seems as if that has become the case. It seems as if society does not band together to treat, we merely band together to punish. However, that approach does not seem to be helping anybody.

Prisoners deserve the right to counseling. If not for themselves, then for the sake of society as a whole. We cannot magically cure the alcohol and drug problem plaguing our world. However, we can take the beginning steps to prevent it from worsening.

Learn more about this author, Madison Starr.
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