PENNY WISE...

The NY Times reported on 7 Nov that Governor Paterson has proposed "scaling back drug-abuse programs for ex-convicts" because of the fiscal criasis. That crisis, of course, is just one more compelling reason why these programs are essential. The interests of the community - including its financial interests - are in total synch with the needs of those who are re-entering society, and who without help will unquestionably have a high rate of recidivism, re-arrest and re-incarceration.