Gov. Deal: Ga. Must Treat Addicts to Save Money

WSAV

By: Associated Press | WSAV
Published: January 11, 2012

» Comments | Post a Comment

ATLANTA --

Gov. Nathan Deal says that Georgia must treat drug addicts to cut down on recidivism and save money on the prison system.

The Republican governor called for an overhaul of the state's criminal justice system in his State of the State speech Tuesday at the Gold Dome.

Deal said he wants to spend $35 million for additional prison beds for offenders deemed a threat. But he also wants new funding to set up treatment centers and specialized courts meant to help people struggling with addiction.

The governor called treating addiction the first step in "breaking the cycle of crime." He said that cycle destroys lives and wastes tax money.

State leaders have called for an overhaul of the state's criminal code to keep nonviolent offenders out of overcrowded prisons.