Colorado's War on Drugs

The impact of drugs has hit Colorado hard with staggering statistics which place Colorado high on the list of adults incarcerated due to drug related charges. The city of Denver, accounted for 308 of 100,000 residents incarcerated for drugs. This percentage is more than "twice the national average of 125 per 100,000 residents. (ONDCP, 2005) Drug offenses in Colorado are on the rise by 476% which is the largest and fastest growing category among those who have been imprisoned. (Colorado Justice reform Coalition, 2002)

In Colorado the incarceration rates in 2002 for those arrested for drug charges were at 3,691 people in prison. The numbers can also be broken down further by sex and type of crime. Females who were charged with non violent drug crimes comprised 35% of the prison population. Males who were charged with non violent drug crimes comprised only 23% of the prison population in Colorado. (Colorado Justice Reform Coalition, 2002).

The cost of keeping drug offenders in prison far exceeds the use of treatment or other outpatient therapy. The State of Colorado spent more than $101 million dollars in 2002 to keep people in prison. The harsh reality is that 50% of those who were convicted were sent to prison for simple possession charges. (Colorado Justice Reform Coalition, 2002). The sad truth of the matter is that all the money Colorado keeps spending on the war against drugs is not helping. Worse yet, Colorado ranked as the 5th highest state for dependence and abuse; this was out of all 50 states. (Colorado Justice Reform Coalition, 2002). 

The problem lies within finding an affordable solution which will actually decrease the wasteful spending. According to The Colorado Justice Reform Coalition, it is estimated that treatment for drug abuse is far more affordable than many people realize. The average cost for educational based treatment can be as low as $400.00 per year up to $20,000 for a residential treatment center. This is of course in comparison with the $28,000+ which it costs to house one prison inmate per year. (Colorado Justice Reform Coalition, 2002).