Narcotics research, rehabilitation, and treatment. Hearings, Ninety ...

:I557Our investigators have reported to us several instances througlioutthe country where addicts have sought treatment at hospitals_andclinics, buthave been denied treatment because of inadequate facilities.How can we possibly explain away the crimes which these addicts aresforced to commit in order to feed their voracious habits ? How can wepossibly justify the overdose deaths of addicts who have requested,but have been denied medical aid? A humane society cannot justifysuch inequities.respectfully submit that Congress cannot shirk from its responsibilityin this regard. Our record is replete with evidence showing theneed for a tremendous expansioii in our medical facilities to handledrug dependent persons who seek help. Since the need is clear, Congressmust respond adequately.. . . /r.x'JToday we will examine various State and local rehabilitation programsfor heroin addicts, and wliat more the Federal Government cando in this area. The need for adequate rehabilitation programs andfacilities cannot be overemphasized, for any success we enjoy in decreasingthe supply of heroin on the streets, or finding drugs thatblock the craving for heroin, only intensifies our need for massive andeffective rehabilitation programs."Wlien we talk of rehabiliting addicts, we are again talking of reducingcrime. What lasting benefit does society receive when we simplydetoxify an addict and send him back into the streets of his past, withoutthe ability to earn a meaningful livelihood, without a decent placeto live, without, in short, those ingredients Americans view as essentialto self-respect? A lack of self-respect has often been cited as acausative factor in drug abuse. Will the detoxified addict, without a job.without a decent home, long remain a former addict? There is littlereason to expect that he will. And if he returns to heroin, he also returnsto crime.It is with this in mind that we are today examining these programsand the involvement of the various States in this endeavor. While Ibelieve that the Federal Government must play a significantly largerrole in combating the addiction crisis, the important role ]:>layed by theStates cannot be overemphasized. Therefore, we are today seeking theadvice of Governors and other State officials. We will lean heavilyupon the advice of these men as we draw up our recommendations tothe Congress. We are honored that Gov. Linwood Holton ofVirginia, Gov. Jimmy Carter of Georgia, Gov. Milton Shapp ofPennsylvania and Lt. Gov. James H. Brickley of Michigan have comehere today to share with the committee the experience of their Statesin dealing with narcotic addiction. We will also hear from CommissionerHoward Jones, vice chairman of the New York State NarcoticAddiction Control Commission, a man charged with grappling withthe highest incidence of heroin addiction in the Nation.We will also take testimony from Dr. Jolin Kramer, a distinguishedpsychiatrist who has devoted much of his time and energy to the problemsof drug addiction and abuse, through various programs inthe State of California.Our first witness this morning is Commissioner Howard A. Jones,vice chairman and I believe designated chairman of the New YorkState Narcotics Addiction Control Commission.60-296—71—pt. 2 15