IL Meth Users Can Take Treatment Instead of Prison

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A new Illinois law is allowing some methamphetamine addicts to try treatment instead of serving prison time. Lawmakers say the new option could rehabilitate addicts and ease jail overcrowding. The law allows first-time offenders in possession of less than 15 grams of meth to take treatment. Massac County Sheriff Ted Holder tells WPSD the county’s jail is 30 percent overcrowded and that many inmates are there for minor drug offenses.

Massac County Mental Health counselor Saundra McCurdy says she secured a state grant for a drug court rehab program months before the law took place because meth addicts are so prevalent in the area. The treatment program’s first group starts Jan. 7.