It’s a straightforward lesson: deliver the services where the
need exists. To do otherwise compromises dollars and
effectiveness
News that troubled teens from South County have a much higher rate of recidivism – 19 percent compared with 13 percent – raises an important question: Would services like anger management therapy and outpatient and residential drug treatment programs located in South County lower that rate?
It’s a question that county officials ought to be studying.
Given the time, distance, and poor public transportation services between South County and San Jose, where the only residential drug treatment program is located, for example, it’s no wonder that many teens can’t or won’t participate.
It makes common sense that that the tools for success – supervision, drug testing, accountability – be easily accessible to South County teens who need them.
We encourage the county – specifically led by Supervisor Don Gage’s staff – to begin a return on investment study on the feasibility of placing drug treatment and outpatient services in South County.
That ROI ought to study the financial cost of offering such services in South County, to be sure, including a look at the cost of the high rate of recidivism. But it shouldn’t end there. The ROI must also look at the societal cost of lives scarred longer than necessary by drug use and violence.
It’s likely that such services could be offered in current facilities, further reducing costs. Some ideas include the now-closed boys ranch in Morgan Hill, the soon-to-be-vacated offices at the South County Justice Center in San Martin and the under-construction county health facility in Gilroy.
It’s clear that there’s a need. Let’s find out how much it will cost to fill that need, how much it will cost if we ignore it and make an informed decision on the best ways to address the problem.
