Jail time is the best treatment, works 100% of the time. Not only does it stop any further crime it affirms the will of the people.

An emphasis on proper spelling habits at a young age runs a close second to jail time, Mr/Ms Justice Leauge (sic).

His drug addiction probably affects his concentration.

I have not read the report - I did download it and will read it ASAP.

But - if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. 95%?

It's self reported. And if people admit to drug use in the program, they're at risk of losing their supported housing. So, er...there's some incentive to bend the truth.

That's admitted in the report. But I wonder if it's possible to use in an environment like that. Surrounded by other former users all with a vested interest in your staying clean, I mean.

Have you seen "Finding Normal?"

Haven't read the report yet, but I will. But I want say this: this stupid city has got to get the stars out of it's eyes regarding CCC. And this will be one positive thing about having Eric Sten and his rose-colored CCC glasses out of office.

I'm all for drug treatment because jail absolutely does not help, and I know that many people have been helped by CCCs programs, but let's examine this:

Matt, you report a 95% reduction in drug use while in the program. Well, let's hope so. These people are being UAd pretty regularly, so it does make it hard to use while IN the program, but some questions are:

What percentage of people who start the program get kicked out for using while IN the program? What percentage leave the program without finishing? THEN, what is the percentage of people who maintain sobriety for a significant amount of time once out of the program? That's what matters, and I can tell you that number is probably pretty low. And to get some accurate numbers regarding sobriety, how long are people being monitored once out of the program?

Drug addiction is a really hard cycle to break, and frankly, and I don't give a shit what CCC says, most people don't stop using. Many do, but more don't, at least not long-term.

Matt, if you'd like to get a Pulitzer like your counterpart Nigel Jaquiss, why don't you poke around CCC and find out how they really do business.

And BTW, "Finding Normal" was a good film that touched on some of the difficulties associated with addiction and recovery. But notice that of the people portrayed in the film, the woman dropped out and while the Black guy looked like he was going to make an attempt to complete the program, we really have no idea what happens to anyone, or if they stay with it.

And STAYING clean is what it's all about.

Matt, if you'd like to get a Pulitzer like your counterpart Nigel Jaquiss, why don't you poke around CCC and find out how they really do business.

You mean "why don't you ruin the reputation of an organization that's trying to make a difference, all because you're hellbent on uncovering yet another scandal that isn't there"?

That certainly does sound like WW's MO.

No, "you mean" I'm not affiliated with WW, but I DO MEAN what I say about CCC.(And why would someone at WW want to give a scoop to someone at the Mercury?)

They're not a perfect organization and I'm obviously privvy to information that you are not "you mean."

And just so you understand, drug addiction and recovery programs are very complicated, more so than you probably understand, but I'm an advocate for their existance, and I applaud the work that CCC does, just not all of it.

Maybe you're from CCC because they're really good at tooting their own horn and supplying their own stats.