Addict Steals in Hopes of Getting Drug Addiction Treatment
In some areas of the world, treatment is so scarce or so expensive that addicts are actually committing crimes with the sole purpose of being arrested in hopes that they will be provided with the drug addiction treatment they need when imprisoned for their crimes. In England, Elizabeth Ann Garston stole about ¬£240 from her ex’s mother by stealing her ATM card, memorizing the pin and withdrawing the cash she needed to buy heroin -all in hopes of bypassing the lengthy waitlist in England for methadone programs.
Imprisonment for theft of small sums like this are rarely -if ever -punishable by imprisonment in England. But Garston actually requested that she be sent to prison so that she could get on methadone. She said that she did not believe that she would be able to avoid breaking the law due to the severity of her heroin addiction.
As unorthodox as it is to request a sentence of any kind, much less imprisonment for a simple charge, Justine McVitie, who spoke for Garston, explained her client’s request by saying: “My client had battled with a drug addiction for a number of years. She is heavily addicted and is currently spending ¬£30 a day on drugs. My client is candid that she wants to go to prison. I appreciate she is not in a position to dictate the sentence she should receive but she feels that the only way she can deal with the drug addictions at present is by an immediate sentence of imprisonment.”
The magistrates, apparently, agreed with Garston and McVitie. They jailed Garston for 12 weeks, saying that her offense, a breach of trust, in addition to prior convictions and her unwillingness to cooperate with the community penalty justified a stay in jail.
Crime and Drug Addiction Treatment
Here in the United States, it is possible to get some forms of treatment behind bars, but nothing of the caliber that one can find in a private drug rehab facility. More often, those who commit crimes to support their drug habit hope for a sentence of drug addiction treatment. As long as they follow the rules of their program, stay clean and sober and commit no more crimes, offenders will avoid jail or prison time. In some cases, they may even have their record expunged after a period of time. Those in search of treatment to fulfill their court order can opt for a private drug rehab if they choose.
Choose Drug Rehab Before You End Up in Court
If you are on the path to legal problems and court orders due to criminal activity in service of your cocaine addiction, crystal meth addiction, heroin addiction or addiction to prescription drugs, don’t wait to be ordered into treatment. Avoid the cost and stress of court dates, probation officers and court fees by choosing a drug and alcohol addiction treatment now. Call us for information on how you can take control of your life through drug rehab.
