In the United States and around the world, there is an epidemic of epic proportions involving drug addiction. Here in North Carolina, the majority of inmates in the Department of Corrections are known to have substance abuse problems. (Price, 62) Alongside this epidemic is the growing problem of prison overcrowding. There is a correlation between the two. Many of today's correctional facilities house inmates who have committed drug crimes or crimes they committed while under the influence. There is a solution that would help society and reduce the overcrowding of the penal system. The solution is to help those who commit crimes due to an addiction disorder. There is viable evidence that this solution works, such as statistics, the causes of addiction and its treatability, as well as studies that have been done with a focus on recidivism of recovering addicts. There is also the question of the cost-effectiveness of treatment versus incarceration. Of course, some opponents make valid arguments against treatment over incarceration. The argument against includes the fact that relapse can and often does happen to the addicted person. In many segments of society, the treatment of stigmatized people is frowned upon. To begin discussing the need for addiction treatment for correctional inmates, the first thing to address is what addiction is and why should it be treated. In psychological circles, addiction is classified as a brain disease. It is as much a disease as cancer or asthma. Some opponents argue that it is not a disease because a person has the choice to take medication. The simple answer to this argument is that a person with asthma also has cho...... middle of paper ...... June 30, 2010. "Report: Most Prisoners Need Treatment, Few of them get it.” Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly 22.9 (2010): 4. Academic Research Premier. EBSCO. Internet. June 30, 2010. PLOSCOWE, Morris. “Drug Addiction, Crime or Disease.” Interim and final reports of the Joint Committee of the American Bar Association and the American Medical Association on Narcotic Drugs. Joint Committee of the American Bar Association and the American Medical Association on Narcotic Drugs, nd Web. July 1, 2010. .Haney, Craig. “Prison overcrowding: harmful consequences and dysfunctional reactions. » Prison overcrowding: harmful consequences and dysfunctional reactions. Prison Commission, nd Web. July 1 2010.